Allahabad High Court Rules Estranged Wife Entitled to Family Pension Despite Being Omitted as Nominee

The Allahabad High Court ruled that an estranged wife, even if omitted as a nominee in pension records, is entitled to receive family pension after her husband's death, overriding claims by sons listed as nominees.

Justice Manju Rani Chauhan, in the case of Urmila Singh, determined that statutory family pension is a legal right for the surviving spouse and not a charitable benefit. 

The court highlighted that the sons' age and apparent earning status made them ineligible, while the wife, aged 62, was reliant on a maintenance order and fulfilled the legal requirements. 

Authorities were directed to release the family pension to the wife.

[Urmila Singh v State of U.P. & Ors.]