M SARASWATHI Vs. DISTRICT COLLECTOR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) TODAY, a poor and illiterate mother appeared in Court along with her counsel. She has lost her 12 year old son studying in standard VII, in Keelavaladi Government High School, on account of the collapse and fall of an arch/wall of the Panchayat Office. She has claimed compensation of Rs.5,00,000/-.

(2.) IT is the case of the petitioner that on 14.08.2004, about 11.45 a.m., her son was at the library in Valadi Panchayat Office and when he was coming out, the entrance arch/wall of the Panchayat Office collapsed and fell on her minor son Prasanth, which caused multiple injuries and he died on account of the same. It is the further case of the petitioner that the deceased was her only son. The premature death has caused mental agony, pain and suffering. According to her, negligence of the Panchayat Officials in not properly maintaining the arch/wall, resulted in the collapse of the arch/wall. She has also submitted that though the petitioner has requested the President, Valadi Panchayat Union, Valadi, Trichy District and also the District Collector, Trichy District to provide adequate compensation for the death of her son, there was no response. It is the further case of the petitioner that the district administration is vicariously responsible for the negligence of the Panchayat.

(3.) ON this day, when the matter came up for hearing, learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that last week, the President, Valadi Panchayat Union, Valadi, Trichy District came forward with a suggestion to the petitioner to receive a sum of Rs.50,000/- as compensation, for the death of her son and paid a sum of Rs.25,000/- to the petitioner.