High Court Rebukes Department’s Neglect of Ex-Serviceman’s Widow

In a scathing rebuke, the Karnataka High Court criticized the Department of Sainik Welfare and Resettlement for its neglect of the plight of a widow of an ex-serviceman. Directing the department to issue a widow identity card to the 52-year-old woman within two weeks, the court emphasized the importance of empathetic consideration for those left vulnerable after the death of the sole breadwinner.

Justice M. Nagaprasanna, in allowing the widow’s petition, highlighted the wrongful rejection of her application based on an ex parte divorce decree that was not in force at the time of her husband’s death. Stressing that the stigma of divorce cannot deprive her of benefits, the court denounced any impediment to her entitlement as the spouse of an ex-serviceman. The petitioner’s claims of interference from her husband’s brothers in securing the divorce added to the gravity of the situation, underscoring the need for swift and just redressal.