Cuttack: In a landmark decision, the Orissa High Court has directed the Odisha government to grant pension with arrears to Chakradhar Pradhan, a 100-year-old freedom fighter from Mayurbhanj.
The court’s ruling comes after Pradhan’s pension application was initially rejected due to a lack of documentary proof of his imprisonment during India’s struggle for independence.
Pradhan, who had applied for the pension in 1988, claimed to have participated in the freedom movement and faced imprisonment in Baripada Central Jail during 1941-42.
Despite his claims, the state government denied his application, citing insufficient evidence of his incarceration.
In 2013, Pradhan filed a petition in the Orissa High Court seeking justice. The court, led by Justice Sashikanta Mishra, acknowledged the challenges in providing clear-cut proof of events that occurred nearly 80 years ago. Justice Mishra emphasized that it would be unreasonable to expect the petitioner to produce such evidence after so many years.
Considering the historical context and the petitioner’s advanced age, the court ruled in favor of Pradhan, ordering the state government to release the pension along with arrears. This decision brings much-needed relief to Pradhan and sets a precedent for similar cases involving freedom fighters who face difficulties in proving their contributions due to the passage of time.
The ruling has been widely welcomed by various freedom fighter associations and social activists, who see it as a step towards honoring the sacrifices made by those who fought for India’s independence.
