2 days ago
After 7-year legal battle, Chandigarh Armed Forces Tribunal orders Rs 16k monthly pension to veteran, Rs 20 lakh in arrears
It took the intervention of the ex-servicemen's grievances cell and a legal battle that lasted seven years for Gurpal Singh, 80, a former soldier of the 5 Sikh Regiment, to get his rightful pension and military benefits. Last month, the Armed Forces Tribunal in Chandigarh finally ordered the Army to grant the resident of Andheri village in Kharar a 'reservist pension', along with 10 years of arrears.
'The most significant and prestigious thing for me is having been accorded the status of an ex-serviceman,' he said. As per the verdict dated May 8, 2025, Singh will now receive Rs 20 lakh in arrears, Rs 16,000 per month as pension, free medical treatment for family members, access to the Army canteen, and other benefits accorded to ex-servicemen.
Singh said he was recruited into the Army on October 28, 1961, and served until October 27, 1970, completing nine years of active service. His enlistment was based on a '7/8 year condition (seven years of regular service and eight years reserve)'. However, the Army denied him a pension, citing 'non-availability of position' post regular service.
In 2018, Singh approached Lt Col (Retd) S S Sohi, the head of the Mohali Ex-Servicemen Grievances Cell, who promptly filed a case before the Chandigarh Armed Forces Tribunal. The Army initially contended that 'no old records were available' to support Singh's claim.
Advocate R N Ojha appeared for Singh, overcoming multiple legal hurdles, including justifying the delay in approaching the Tribunal, and proving that his service terms were violated. Despite the odds, the Tribunal eventually ruled in Singh's favour.
