S VENKATESH MURTHY Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS appears to be a public interest litigation. Petitioner is one S. Venkatesha Murthy. He has described himself as a social worker aged about 29 years. He has made a plea in this Petition for financial assistance to the residents of Challaghatta village situated on the North -western outskirts of Bangalore Air Port of Hindustan Aeronautical Limited. He has arrayed as many as six respondents who include the Union of India, the Director General of Civil Aviation (Inquiry), the Managing Director, National Airport Authority, Managing Director, Indian Airlines and Air India, Managing Director, Hindustan Aeronautical Limited and the Director, Bangalore Air Port, Vimanapura.

(2.) IT is alleged by him that on 14 -2 -1990, an unfortunate Air -bus A -320 crashed while about to land at Bangalore Air -Port in which as many as 85 people perished. The villagers of Challaghatta rushed to the spot and aided and assisted the fire -fighting forces of the Bangalore Air -Port as well as the other authorities in conducting rescue operations at considerable personal risk and danger. He has further averred that despite the sacrifice made by the villagers, none have come forward to reward them and therefore, this Court must by a writ, order or direction in the nature of mandamus direct the respondents to pay adequate compensation for the assistance rendered by the villagers of Challaghatta.

(3.) THIS Court must not fail to observe that the voluntary assistance rendered in time of crisis and unforeseen accidents can be rewarded voluntarily by the appropriate authorities if they form an opinion that such reward is deserved. This Court has no means of compelling the authorities to reward those who rendered such assistance. It is equally useful to observe that those who voluntarily render service in a crisis and situation calling for human sympathy should not expect anything by way of reward for what they have done.