No One Can Question A Person On How He Will Use Awarded Amount: Punjab & Haryana HC Directs Union To Release Compensation Invested in FDR

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has reiterated that the authorities cannot question a major person of sound mind that how will he use the compensation awarded. Justice Vikas Bahl said, “The money to which he is found entitled is to be handed over to him without placing any riders thereon and that once the compensation has been awarded, the same would go to the claimant, as no one can question a major person of sound mind as to how he would put the said money to use.“ Reliance was placed on the High Court's decision in Rani and others vs. Union of India, to underscore that, “once compensation amount is awarded by the court, it should go to the claimant. No one can question a major person of sound mind entitled to an adjudicated amount of compensation in an award which has become final, suspecting how the money would be put to use by the rightful owner. It was submitted that however, with respect to disbursement of the said amount, it was observed that the petitioners would be permitted to withdraw 10% of the share of the awarded amount and the rest amount of their respective share was ordered to be invested in a nationalized bank in FDR for three years and the proportionate interest accrued upon the FDR shall be paid to these applicants.