Gallantry award winner Army officer moves HC over denial of benefits by Haryana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 18

An Army Major, presented gallantry award on August 15, 2009, by the President for displaying exemplary courage in hostage rescue operation in Trident-Oberoi hotel by NSG commando during the Mumbai terror attack, on Wednesday moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court against the denial of benefits to him by the Haryana government.

He was told that Mumbai operation was not declared war by the Government of India. As such, he was not eligible for award money. In his petition placed before the Bench of Justice Rajiv Narain Raina, Major Karamjeet Singh Yadav stated he was deputed with the National Security Guard during 'Operation Black Tornado' in Mumbai from November 26 to November 30, 2008.

After the gallantry award, the petitioner applied for one-time cash award in accordance with the policy of the Haryana government "for war-time and peace time gallantry award for Defence personnel".

The petitioner asserted he received a letter on January 25, 2011, that his claim for cash award had been turned down by secretary, Rajya Sainik Board, Haryana. He was told that the case was not covered under the Haryana government policy "and incident occurred during the peace time". 

He added the stand in the letter was "totally illegal and not according to the law". 

Claiming that the petitioner was clearly denied of all benefits despite his entitlement, Major Yadav said it was clearly "in violation of fundamental rights of citizen of India and it is clearly violation of Constitution of India of the Article of 14 & 16".