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UNAT held that the record reflected that: Michael and Jacqueline married in 1986; they had lived as husband and wife, and Jacqueline was Michael’s wife on the date of his separation from service in 1998 and on the date of his death in 2008. UNAT held that Michael’s first wife was unable to produce a marriage certificate and the divorce decree she produced was not proof of marriage, despite the date of marriage having been mentioned therein. UNAT held that the divorce decree could not be the sole basis of declaring Jacqueline’s marriage to Michael invalid. UNAT held that Jacqueline was entitled to a widow’s benefit. UNAT noted that it had not been shown the order issued by the Standing Committee of UNJSPB detailing the impugned decision, therefore it was unable to determine the reasoning adopted by the Standing Committee. UNAT held that the Standing Committee erred in declaring the marriage between Michael and Jacqueline invalid and in withdrawing benefits to which Jacqueline was entitled. UNAT held that failure to record an order detailing a decision and reasoning or provide a copy of the order to the party concerned was a grave violation of due process rights as it deprived the concerned part of the proper opportunity to file an appeal. UNAT allowed the appeal, set aside the decision of the Standing Committee and reinstated Jacqueline’s benefits from the date upon which they were suspended, with interest.