# HC upholds higher pension for 1968 IAF crash widow

2026-08-09T20:54:44+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 1 independent outlet

Hindustan Times reports that the Punjab and Haryana high court has upheld an Armed Forces Tribunal order granting higher pension to Shammi Malhotra, widow of Squadron Leader PN Malhotra. The IAF pilot was killed in an AN-12 crash near the Dhaka glacier on February 7, 1968. The government rejected her representation in July 2022, arguing that liberalised family pension arrears should start from 2016, not 1996. Dismissing the Centre’s plea, the bench of Justices HS Sethi and Amarinder Singh Grewal ruled that the widow is entitled to arrears from January 1, 1996, citing the state’s obligation as a model employer.

## Coverage

- hindustantimes.com <https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/the-punjab-and-haryana-high-court-upholds-aft-order-of-higher-pension-to-iaf-pilot-s-widow-101786216908954.html>

Tags: 1968 crash, Armed Forces Tribunal, IAF widow pension, liberalised family pension, Punjab and Haryana High Court, Squadron Leader PN Malhotra
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