LAKSHMI DEVI Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Petitioner's husband, namely, Ashok Kumar (deceased) died unnatural death on 18.4.2011 on account of natural calamity (lightening) while harvesting the wheat crops. According to petitioner, a "panchnama" was prepared in presence of Village Pradhan, Area Lekhpal and Naib-Tahsildar on the spot itself. In the report,cause of death of the petitioner's husband has been indicated due to "lightening" in clear words. As there is a Circular/Government Order providing for compensation to the family of the deceased under the National Calamities Emergency Fund, the petitioner preferred an application to the competent authority for ex-gratia payment of compensation and completed the necessary formalities. The said claim of the petitioner has been rejected by the impugned order dated 12.8.2011.

(2.) Aggrieved by the order so passed by the Assistant Collector, Bhinga, District Bahraich, the petitioner is before us in this petition.

(3.) We have heard the learned Counsel for the parties to the lis and also carefully perused the documents on record.