Widow to Receive Husband's Pension Post-Remarriage: Delhi High Court Upholds Rule 54

• Delhi High Court ruled that a childless widow of a deceased central government employee will continue to receive family pension even after remarriage, provided she lacks sufficient independent income.
• The court upheld the constitutional validity of Rule 54 of the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972, and the Office Memorandum dated September 2, 2009.
• The decision emphasizes the government's social welfare policy to provide financial security to widows and encourage their remarriage, deeming the provision neither arbitrary nor discriminatory.
• The case involved parents of a deceased CRPF jawan challenging the widow's pension entitlement after her remarriage, arguing they, as dependents, should receive it.
• The High Court clarified that family pension is a statutory social security benefit, not an inheritance, and parents are eligible only if there is no eligible widow or child.

Why It Matters: Delhi High Court affirms childless widows' right to family pension post-remarriage, citing social welfare policy.