Air Force Officer's Widow Secures Family Pension After 26-Year Legal Battle
The Armed Forces Tribunal in Chandigarh has issued a significant ruling, directing the central government to provide Liberalised Family Pension (LFP) to Rakhi Pandey, the widow of Flight Lieutenant Sanjay Kumar Pandey. This decision concludes a 26-year pursuit for her entitled benefits.
Flight Lieutenant SK Pandey died in August 1999 while flying a rescue helicopter to assist stranded German trekkers in the Lahaul–Spiti region of Himachal Pradesh following a severe cloudburst. According to the recommendations of the 5th Central Pay Commission in January 2001, which were retroactively applied from January 1, 1996, widows of service personnel who perished in such missions were eligible for LFP. However, Ms. Pandey's application was consistently refused due to the lack of a formal "battle casualty" certificate.
In 2023, the widow of Squadron Leader FS Siddique, who co-piloted on the same tragic mission, was granted similar pension benefits, but Ms. Pandey's requests were repeatedly declined by the Joint Controller of Defence Accounts. It was only after persistent efforts that the Indian Air Force provided the requisite certification affirming her eligibility from 1999.
The tribunal, consisting of Justice Umesh Chandra Sharma and Air Marshal Manavendra Singh, determined that the government circular from 2001 was applicable to the circumstances surrounding Flt. Lt. Pandey’s death. Once the Air Force confirmed eligibility, financial authorities were required to process the payments.
With this tribunal ruling, Ms. Pandey is set to receive the enhanced family pension, bringing closure to her long fight for acknowledgement and justice.
