Jethi Devi
Vs. Bhakra Beas Management Board & Anr [1995] INSC 420 (24 August 1995)
Ramaswamy,
K. Ramaswamy, K. Hansaria B.L. (J)
CITATION:
1995 SCC (6) 61 1995 SCALE (5)171
ACT:
HEAD NOTE:
O R D
E R
Leave
granted.
This
appeal by special leave arises from the judgment and decree dated October 22, 1993 of the High Court of Himachal
Pradesh in RSA No.261/92. Admitted facts are that when Om Dass, a Government
servant died in harness, a prayer was made to rehabilitate one of the
dependents. His widow, the appellant herein laid the claim for appointment as a
Class IV employee and was so appointed . When her services were terminated ,
she filed Suit No.6/88 filed in the court of Subordinate Judge, Mandi, H.P. and
the Chief Judge by the judgment and decree dated November 30, 1989 decreed the suit. On appeal, it was confirmed. But in the
second appeal, the High Court reversed the decree primarily on the ground that
in the enquiry conducted by the respondent Board revealed that the appellant
had married Chandermani, the brother of Om Dass, and she concealed the factum
of marriage and the birth of a daughter. Therefore, she is not a widow of Om Dass,
the deceased employee. It was also found that she gave a false affidavit.
Consequently, she is not entitled to the benefit of rehabilitation scheme.
The
question is whether the appellant had made any false statement. It is clear
from the written statement filed by the respondent in the trial Court,
enclosing the enquiry report submitted by S.D.O.(c) Chachiot ,that the
appellant and her husband Om Dass were living as members of the Hindu joint
family with Chandermani, her brother-in-law, and other members. On enquiry , it
was also revealed that the marriage between Chandermani and the appellant was
not solemnised and a child was born to the latter.
Under
these circumstances, three crucial facts emerge.
One,Chandermani,
Om Dass, the appellant and other members were living together as members of the
Hindu joint family.
Second,
Om Dass, the Government servant , died in harness.
Third,
it would appear that after the demise, though the appellant was living with Chandermani,
no legally solemnised marriage took place. In other words, they were living
together as man and woman and woman and a child was born to them.
The
question which, therefore, emerges is whether the appellant made any false
statement and whether she ceased to be widow of Om Dass. In view of the fact
that no legally solemnised marriage exists, she is not incorrect in stating
that she is the widow of Om Dass. It is also revealed that since they are the
members of the joint family, her statement about the dependence is not false.
If these two facts are excluded, there is no other ground to disentitle her to
claim for the benefit of appointment as per the rehabilitation scheme.
Accordingly, we hold that the High Court was not right in reversing the decree
of the trial Court and the appellate Court and dismissing the suit.
The
appeal is allowed . The decree of the trial court is restored. However, the
appellant will be entitled to back wages from 30.11.1989 only, the date on
which the suit was decreed. No costs.
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