DEVRAO S/O KISAN LAD Vs. DISTRICT COLLECTOR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) RULE. Rule made returnable forthwith. Heard finally, by consent of the learned counsel for the parties.

(2.) ALL the petitioners are challenging the directions of the respondent no.1-State of Maharashtra issued vide Government resolution dated 21.03.2007 whereunder the pension granted to them under the scheme called as "Swatantrya Sainik Pension Scheme" has been withdrawn.

(3.) MANE Committee issued notices to 355 persons, which included one case of a person, alleged to have participated in the Goa Liberation Movement, with which we are not concerned in the present group of Petitions. The Mane Committee recorded statements of those freedom fighters on oath. The material that was on record was considered. No submissions were heard and the concerned were not allowed to be represented by the lawyers. Subsequently, the report was submitted by the Mane Committee to the High Court. The Mane Committee concluded that 349 cases do not comply with the requirements of the scheme. Those persons against whom those adverse remarks were passed filed Civil Applications in the Public Interest Petition to implead them as respondents or as intervenors. The High Court refused to grant the prayer. The persons, therefore, filed Special Leave Petitions in the Supreme Court of India. The Apex Court though rejected the Special Leave Petitions, had granted liberty to file separate Writ Petitions in the High Court. Therefore, number of Writ Petitions were filed by the affected persons. The High Court on merit dismissed the Public Interest Petition and allowed the Writ Petitions of those persons.