SHRIKRISHNA A PRABHU Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) A news item appeared in Daily Sakal (Marathi) dated June 21, 2001. It was a letter addressed by one S. A. Prabhu, petitioner in the present petition. In the said letter, it was stated that his son, Rajesh, aged about 23 years, was the best Air Wing Cadet in the NCC, and was Gold Medalist. He had joined the Air Force Academy, Hyderabad. On August 17, 1995, he was on a solo ride. Duty to irresponsible and careless behaviour of higher officers, there was an accident in which he lost his life.

(2.) THE father, thereafter, mentioned in the letter that no proper care has been taken by the Government towards Air Force Pilot Trainees. The Government did not treat them as Government Servants, and they were treated as Government servants only after they become commissioned officers. He was also angry towards the treatment shown to Air Force Pilot Trainees and their family members. The father had stated that after the death of his son, financial assistance of only Rs. 45,000. 00 was extended to him, out of which Rs. 20,000. 00 were paid in cash and Rs. 25,000. 00 were invested in Fixed Deposit for 65 months. He had stated that he was getting Rs. 375. 00 plus DA as Family Pension.

(3.) HIS grievance was that insurance coverage was not applied to Air Force Pilot Trainees. The same, therefore, must be made applicable to trainees also. Regarding quantum of amount of compensation, he urged that in case of railway accidents and deaths of travellers, as also pilgrims or Haj Yatris, Government was paying to their heirs a sum of Rs. 2,00,000. 00. He wondered why even that amount was not paid to the parents of victims of Airforce accidents. He has, therefore, suggested that some policy-guidelines must be laid down for such persons.