Anita and Others v. Union of India
Case brief
What is this about?
FAO No.4927 of 2024 (O&M), Punjab & Haryana High Court, Harkesh Manuja, J., decision 10.07.2026. Appeal against Railway Claims Tribunal, Chandigarh Bench award dated 17.05.2024 challenging FDR-deposit directions for railway passenger-death compensation. Held: no justification to withhold compensation when sole bread earner expired; release to major claimants Smt. Anita, Sh. Jiyalal, Smt. Piyari; deceased appellant Smt. Piyari's Rs.1 lakh share to legal heirs equally without succession certificate; minors Khushi and Payal's dues added to Rs.1 lakh each, FDR at highest interest till majority, periodic interest drawable; 64-day filing delay condoned (CM No.18572-CII of 2024); LRs of deceased appellant impleaded (CM No.18571-CII of 2024); respondent Union of India represented by Ish Karan Singh Chhabra, appellants by Ujval Mittal. No statutes or precedents cited.
What did the court decide?
Appeal disposed of: entire Tribunal-awarded compensation ordered released to the major claimants (Smt. Anita, Sh. Jiyalal and the late Smt. Piyari); Smt. Piyari's Rs.1 lakh share to be disbursed equally to her legal heirs without succession certificate; dues of minors Khushi and Payal added to the Rs.1 lakh each already assessed and kept in a highest-interest FDR till majority with liberty to draw periodic interest.