Haryana Government's Prolonged Delay in Releasing Martyr's Ex-Gratia Sparks Outrage
In a quiet Panchkula residence, 67-year-old Jaidev, a retired professor from Haryana's higher education department, sits with a heavy heart, pondering a painful question: which authority's order is the Haryana government still awaiting before releasing the ex-gratia meant for families of martyrs? His anguish stems from a 16-year battle for recognition and compensation following the tragic loss of his son, Flight Lieutenant Varun Kumar.
The Supreme Sacrifice and Legal Recognition
Flight Lieutenant Varun Kumar, a young officer of just 24 years, made the ultimate sacrifice on June 9, 2009. While on an operational sortie, his military aircraft crashed at Mechuka near the India-China border in Arunachal Pradesh. An ex-NDA cadet posted at Air Force Station, Jorhat, Assam, Varun's death was later declared a "battle casualty" by the Union government, a crucial designation that acknowledges the military nature of his service.
The personal toll on Professor Jaidev was immense. Paralysed by shock and trauma, he became bed-ridden for an extended period, unaware of the documentation processes for ex-gratia and battle casualty status. Only after recovering and relocating from his native Jind to Panchkula did he begin pursuing his entitlements. In 2022, following litigation before the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) in Chandigarh, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) issued a 'Battle Casualty' certificate, rectifying what was described as an 'erroneous' initial denial.
Judicial Victories Met with Government Inaction
While the central government has been providing a liberalized pension to Jaidev as the next of kin, the Haryana government has neither granted nor formally declined the state ex-gratia. This led Jaidev to approach the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which on February 28, 2025, directed the Haryana government to immediately consider his case under applicable policy and grant relief within two months.
Instead of compliance, the state government challenged the order before a division bench, arguing that their ex-gratia grant only applies to deaths during battle inoculation training exercises or demonstrations with live ammunition, whereas Flight Lieutenant Varun died in an 'air crash'.
The division bench, in a decisive order dated August 22, 2025, dismissed the state's appeal, observing that once the Union of India has declared the death a "battle casualty," Haryana cannot turn its back on the sacrifice. Despite this clear judicial directive, over six months have passed with no action from the state authorities.
A Father's Emotional Plea and Continued Struggle
"The Indian Air Force and central government have already declared my son a battle casualty. The high court has passed an order in my favour, and the state's appeal has been dismissed. Yet, the authorities in the Haryana government have not bothered to comply with their moral duty or court directions," Jaidev said, his voice choked with emotion. "It sometimes feels humiliating to approach courts and chase dues despite the case being fully covered within the state's policy."
After a pause, he added with palpable frustration, "I wonder which authority's order the Haryana government still awaits."
In a final attempt to secure justice, Professor Jaidev has now written to Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, seeking his personal intervention to ensure compliance with court orders and the release of long-overdue benefits. His story highlights not just bureaucratic delays but the emotional toll on families who have given their loved ones for the nation.
