India, Dec. 17 -- The Bombay High Court on Tuesday sought the central government's response to a petition filed by the mother of an Agniveer, M Murali Naik, who was killed during the armed conflict against Pakistan in May, challenging the disparity in death compensation and service benefits between Agniveers and regular soldiers of the Indian Army.

A division bench of justices Ravindra Ghuge and Ashwin Bhobe has posted the matter for further hearing on January 15.

The petition, filed on November 26, stated that under the existing policy framework, an Agniveer and their family are not entitled to any form of pension or lifelong family welfare benefits upon completion of service or in the event of death during service.

Unlike regular sol...