Supreme Court Reserves Verdict On Rs 4 Lakh Compensation For Covid Victims

The Centre had earlier told the court that Rs 4 lakh compensation to the families of Covid victims would put the finances of state governments under severe strain.

The Supreme Court on Monday reserved verdict on the pleas seeking directions that ex-gratia compensation of Rs 4 lakh be paid to the families of those who have died of COVID-19. A special vacation bench comprising Justices Ashok Bhushan and M R Shah heard Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and senior advocate S B Upadhyay and other lawyers for almost two hours. The top court asked the parties to file written submissions in three days and specifically directed the Centre to simplify the process of grant of death certificates to the dependents of those who have died of COVID-19. The Centre had earlier told the top court that the ex-gratia compensation of Rs 4 lakh cannot be paid to the families of those who have died of COVID-19 as the finances of state governments and the Centre are under severe strain.