SUNITA Vs. STATE OF NATIONAL CAPITAL TERRITORY

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS appeal under Clause X of the Letters Patent is directed against the order of the learned single Judge dated 24th August, 2005 passed in WP (Crl)No. 1292/2003. That writ petition was filed by Smt. Sunita, widow of one mohinder, who died while in police custody on 15th August, 1999. In the writ petition Smt. Sunita sought a writ, order or direction to the respondent-Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi to award compensation to the members of the family of the deceased Mohinder. By the impugned order the learned single Judge awarded a sum of Rs. 3 lacs as ex gratia compensation. Being aggrieved Smt. Sunita has preferred this appeal on the ground that the compensation awarded by the learned single Judge is wholly inadequate and the meagre sum of Rs. 3 lacs awarded after a period of six years of the custodial death is no compensation in the eye of law.

(2.) THE unfortunate events which led to the present proceedings may be shortly stated:

(3.) INITIALLY Smt. Sunita filed Writ Petition (Crl) No. 110 of 2002 in the supreme Court. The said writ petition was however directed to be transmitted to the High Court of Delhi as it was felt that in the first instance it would be proper for the petitioner to approach the High Court for reliefs. Thereafter the matter was heard and disposed of by the learned single Judge who vide the impugned order dated 24th August, 2005 awarded Rs. 3 lacs as ex gratia compensation. Aggrieved, Smt. Sunita filed the present appeal challenging the order passed by the learned single Judge. We hasten to add that the order of of the learned single Judge is rather cryptic and does not give any reason for fixing the amount of compensation at Rs. 3 lacs.