The Punjab and Haryana High Court has stepped into a distressing case involving the family of a deceased soldier, issuing formal notices to the Union Finance and Defence Ministries. This action comes in response to a writ petition filed by Bimla Devi, a mother from Ropar in Haryana, who is fighting to secure the insurance benefits promised under her son's Defence Salary Package (DSP) bank account.
A Mother's Grief Compounded by Bureaucratic Hurdles
Bimla Devi's son, Sepoy Kulwinder Singh, lost his life due to electrocution while performing his military duties. The Army's own Statutory Court of Inquiry conclusively recorded that his death was "attributable to military service". Sepoy Kulwinder Singh held a DSP account with the State Bank of India (SBI), a product heavily marketed to armed forces personnel. This account type includes an in-built life insurance cover, provided in collaboration with the Oriental Insurance Company.
However, after the soldier's tragic death, both SBI and Oriental Insurance Company rejected Bimla Devi's claim. Shockingly, they based their denial on the opinion of their "panel of doctors", who disputed that the cause of death was electrocution. This stance is in direct and total contradiction to the official findings and documentation provided by the statutory military and medical authorities.
Legal Battle for Justice and Systemic Change
Frustrated by the impasse, Bimla Devi, with support from Army authorities, sent multiple appeals to the bank and the insurance company. Even interventions from instruments of the Finance Ministry failed to yield results. Left with no other recourse, she approached the High Court through a writ petition.
Her petition seeks two primary directives. First, it demands that the court order SBI and Oriental Insurance to release the due insurance amount to her immediately. Second, and more broadly, it seeks directions to the Finance Ministry to consult with the Army Headquarters to frame clear guidelines for handling such claims. The aim is to prevent other military families from enduring similar harassment and bureaucratic injustice when they are most vulnerable.
The petition highlights a critical failure: despite government authorities attempting to assist, SBI and the insurance company remained unmoved. It also points out that the insurance policy details have not been provided to the grieving mother despite repeated requests.
A Pattern of Denial Affecting Military Families
This case is reportedly not an isolated incident. Sources indicate there are multiple similar instances where banks and insurance companies have rejected claims from families of deceased soldiers. These rejections often rely on grounds that directly contravene the official facts of death as recorded and certified by military authorities.
The High Court's decision to issue notices signals judicial scrutiny over the implementation of the Defence Salary Package and the treatment of claims made by the next of kin of fallen soldiers. The outcome of this case could set a significant precedent, ensuring that the families of those who make the ultimate sacrifice for the nation are not left to fight for the financial security they were promised.
