Authority: High Court of Judicature at Madras

Order Date: 12 June 2026

Case Overview

  • Appellant: Government of Tamil Nadu, represented by Secretary, Public (Political Pension‑I) Department, Secretariat, Chennai.
  • Respondent: Thillai Lokanathan, daughter of a freedom fighter, residing at 12/14 Mylapooran Street, Royapettah, Chennai.
  • Petition filed under Section 151 CPC seeking modification of interim order dated 19 February 2026 which directed payment of 50 % of the amount due under the Central Samman Pension 2014.
  • Core issue: Whether a divorced daughter of a freedom fighter is eligible for pension under the scheme; the same question is pending before the Supreme Court challenging Clause 5.2.5 of the Guidelines.
  • Counsel for the State argued that pension cannot be paid until the Supreme Court decides; counsel for the respondent opposed modification but agreed not to pursue contempt.

Final Outcome

  • The Court modified the interim order, granting a complete stay of the impugned order dated 09 December 2024 (W.P.No.10344 of 2023) until the final disposal of the writ appeal.
  • Consequently, no pension payment will be made to the respondent pending the Supreme Court’s decision on the eligibility issue.

Topics: Pension Eligibility, Judicial Stay, Supreme Court Pending Issue