STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Chief Justice N Paul Vasanthakumar on Friday treated the contempt petitions regarding compensation paid to heirs of militant- attack victims as suo-moto PIL and directed Registry to make Chief Secretary of J&K State, Secretary to Government GAD, Secretary to Government, Home Department of J&K as well as the Government of India represented by its Secretary, Home Department as respondents.
The contempt petitions were the result of the orders passed by the Writ Court, directing the respondents to consider the claim of the petitioners and pay an amount of Rs. 1 lakh to the legal heirs of the deceased, who died due to militant attacks although the aforesaid heirs were paid ex-gratia relief of Rs.1 lakh earlier also. Considering that the amount of Rs. 1 lakh already paid to the families was inadequate as compared to the life of the deceased persons, the Court gave further direction to consider the payment of Rs.1 lakh more to each of the families of such persons.
The Counsel appearing for the State referred to Government Order bearing No.71/Home of 2017 dated 1st February 2017 wherein it was mentioned that no further amount is required to be paid if an amount of Rs.1 lakh is paid to the legal heirs of the deceased, who died due to attack by militants in terms of Government Order No.73-GR(GAD) of 1999 dated 10th July 1990 issued by GAD and as amended from time to time.
Chief Justice N Paul Vasanthakumar observed that in view of the stand taken by the government in dealing with the families affected by the militant attacks, “this Court is inclined to go into the validity of the aforesaid Government Order so as to award just compensation to the families of the deceased persons who lost their lives due to militant attacks. Hence, it is just and appropriate to take this issue in suo-moto PIL”, he added.
