MEENA BHABHAR Vs. STATE OF M.P.

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This petition has been preferred by the petitioner, who is the widow of deceased employee Daniel Bhabhar under Article 226 of the Constitution of India challenging the order dtd. 29/11/2023 passed by respondent No.3, the Collector, District Dewas whereby her claim under the Mukhya Mantri COVID-19 Yoddha Kalyan Yojna (here-inafter referred to as "the scheme") for grant of compensation on account of death of her husband while performing Covid-19 duties has been rejected.

(2.) In brief facts of the case are that petitioner's husband late Daniel Bhabhar was working on the post of Assistant Sub Inspector in Police Department and was posted at BNP Note Press, Dewas. During COVID-19 pandemic he was on duty at Amaltas Hospital, Banger. During such period only he was infected with Corona virus and expired on 1/5/2021.

(3.) Since the State Government had floated the aforesaid scheme on 17/4/2020, the petitioner being widow of the deceased employee, applied for award of compensation under the scheme which provides for grant of Rs.50,00,000.00 to the kin of an employee who has died on account of COVID-19 and also an employee who has died in an accident while performing COVID-19 duties. The claim of the petitioner has been rejected by respondent No.3 by the impugned order on the ground that her husband does not fall under the category enumerated in Clause 3.1 of the scheme.