IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA CWJC No.19310 of 2010 GEETA SINGH @ JILEBA DEVI . Versus THE UNION OF INDIA & ORS . ----------- 4/ 16/05/2011 Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and the Union of India. The petitioner desires encashment of five National Savings Certificates valued at Rs.10,000/- each purchased by her late husband Raja Ram Singh jointly with one Geeta Singh. The petitioner claims it to be her alias name. Her husband is stated to have been deceased on 15.2.2000. The certificates matured for payment on 26.2.2000. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that she was a joint holder of the instrument. The Union of India in the counter affidavit does not deny that the petitioner has produced the original certificate for encashment. Non-encashment is therefore arbitrary. The cumulative maturity value of the instrument is over Rs.1,00,000/-. She is receiving family pension on account of the services rendered by her husband Raja Ram Singh. Her identity therefore is not in doubt. Learned Counsel for the Union of India submits the certificates produced by the petitioner have been verified and are found to be the original. But, in 2 the original application her husband had signed in Hindi whereas the petitioner’s name is written in English. There is no mention of any alias name at any place and no material to that effect has been placed. No claimant came forward for long years after the maturity of the instrument on 26.12.2000. The petitioner has sought encashment on 14.9.2010. The delay raises more questions. If she obtains a succession certificate, the amount can be released to her. In the nature of the disputed facts involved, as noticed above, the Court finds it difficult on basis of any sympathy that the petitioner was 80 years of age to outright direct payment of the matured value of the certificates to her. Let the petitioner approach the District Judge concerned to obtain a succession certificate for the estate of late Raja Ram Singh. If the petitioner files any such application, considering her advanced age, let the District Judge consider the same and dispose it off in accordance with law at his earliest convenience without granting any unnecessary adjournments. The application is disposed. KC ( Navin Sinha, J.)