In Brief
Sulekha Rani's deceased spouse was discharged from the Indian Army without a required medical examination (Invalidation Medical Board). The Supreme Court held this discharge was illegal due to non-compliance with mandatory procedures. The Court allowed the appeal and directed that for pension computation purposes, the soldier's service be deemed continuous. Accordingly, the widow was granted family pension entitlements that would have accrued had the discharge been lawfully conducted, setting aside the Armed Forces Tribunal's earlier decision.
The lawyer headnote and full judgment text are available to registered users.