Chennai :
As 80-year-old A Karpagam steps out of the Madras high court, her frail body bears signs of exertion. But there is hope and jubilation on her wrinkled face. Three decades after the state government allotted a piece of land to her husband — a decorated ex-serviceman — and subsequently cancelled it, the court has directed the government to hand over the plot.
After his retirement, former Indian Air Force flying officer S Devarajan was allotted 1.84 acres of land in a village near Sriperumbudur in 1981. But he was not given possession of the land and it was later sold to another person. After Devarajan’s death in1982, his wife Karpagam approached the revenue department several times, and finally, in 1998, another plot land was assigned to her in Kelambakkam village. In 2009, the second allotment too was cancelled saying the land was being used for public purpose
She approached the Madras high court, which in its order in April 2014 directed the government to allot her the land. This order was upheld by the court earlier this month, her counsel M Narendran said. Karpagam thanked Narendran for his efforts. “He has supported me. The high court, in its verdict, also appreciated his role in assisting the court,” she said.
Reminiscing about the old times, she said, “My husband often told me that he would ensure his family had a comfortable life; even when he is not around. He had reposed his faith in the government that it would provide him all benefits.”
Devarajan started his military career as a soldier in ‘boy service’ during the World War II. After independence, he fought in the 1962 India-China war and 1965 India-Pakistan war. He was decorated for his bravery in the face of Chinese aggression.
Death of her husband and a protracted legal tussle meant mounting costs. “Yes, finance was bit tough. After the death of my husband, I had to support my two children. My sister’s family helped us,” she said. “It’s painful when you are given something and it is taken back for no fault of yours, again given and again taken back.”
“It is sad to see the plight of retired defence personnel who, during service, sacrifice a lot to serve the nation. Regularly I read reports about ex-servicemen not getting the benefits due to them. Who is responsible for this,” she asked. But Karpagam does not believe she has been denied justice. “The court has recognized my rights. I will be happy if the land is allotted during my lifetime,” she said.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Chennai / by Manish Raj, TNN / February 20th, 2015