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In a historic verdict, a British court on Wednesday ruled that three elderly Nepalis who had served the British government during the Second World War were entitled to a compensation of 10,000 pounds each for the brutality suffered as prisoners-of-war.
The verdict could influence more than 300 other surviving Nepali ex-soldiers, the claimants' solicitor said.
"They have fought enough battles to prove their loyalty and dedication to Britain," Solicitor Phil Shiner of Public Interest Lawyers said while announcing the verdict at the Preston Crown Court.
The case had been heard by Justice Richard McCombe, sitting in London, as a matter of urgency because of the age and health of the applicants - Pahalman Gurung, Gaurisor Thapa and Hukumsing Pun. All three are now in their 80s.
The three war veterans, who had been captured by the Japanese during WWII, had challenged a Ministry of Defence (MoD) ruling, which prevented them from claiming compensation.
The court ruled that the three ex-soldiers, now settled in Nepal, are eligible for 'ex-gratia' payments of 10,000 pounds each from a fund set up to benefit surviving British prisoners-of-war.
The former soldiers were excluded from the fund - set up two years ago - because at the time of their service the regiment was part of the Indian Army.
PTI
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