Madhya Pradesh High Court: In a writ petition filed, under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, by legal representative of the deceased seeking multiple reliefs related to employment benefits, a single-judge bench of G.S. Ahluwalia, J., disposed of the petition and held that the only legally recognised heirs, preferably through a succession certificate, can stake a claim to the deceased’s dues, which is petitioner’s case.
In the instant matter, the petitioner sought regularization of the deceased’s services and eligibility under the General Provident Fund (GPF). The petitioner contented that the deceased was classified as a Labourer on 04-12-2014 but was not granted the benefit of the minimum of the regular pay scale, as mandated by the Supreme Court in Ramnaresh Rawat v. Ashwini Rai, (2017) 3 SCC 436.
The petitioner asserted that the deceased had not received due benefits till he was conferred the status of Sthaikarmi (permanent worker). The petitioner submitted that the deceased’s son (the husband of the petitioner) and the deceased’s wife had both expired, making the petitioner the rightful legal representative. However, the respondents resisted the claim and contended that the petitioner had not established herself as the sole legal heir nor had she filed a succession certificate.
The Court clarified the position of law regarding the concept of nomination. The Court noted that “the nominee is nothing but a trustee who holds money on behalf of all the legal representatives.” Thus, the Court stated that even if the petitioner’s husband was nominated by the deceased, that nomination did not create a legal right of succession. The Court categorically held “…it is clear that petitioner was never nominated by her father-in-law.”
The Court stated that due to absence of specific pleadings regarding petitioner being sole surviving legal heir, the said claim could not be entertained in the absence of a succession certificate. The Court held that only legally recognised heirs, preferably through a succession certificate, can stake a claim to the deceased’s dues.
The Court disposed of the petition with liberty to the petitioner to file a succession certificate. The Court directed that upon submission of a valid succession certificate, the authorities shall assess the deceased’s classification status and release benefits as directed by Supreme Court in Ramnaresh Rawat (supra).
[Shiva v. State of M.P., 2025 SCC OnLine MP 3175, Decided on 09-04-2025]
Advocates who appeared in this case:
Shri Krishna Kant Shrivastava, Counsel for the Petitioner
Shri S.S. Kushwaha, Government Advocate, Counsel for the Respondent/State
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