Home / Health / Widow's Covid Warrior Compensation Fight Reaches High Court
Widow's Covid Warrior Compensation Fight Reaches High Court
22 Jul
Summary
- Woman's claim for Covid death compensation was initially rejected.
- Court directed reconsideration of a Rs 50 lakh compensation claim.
- Deceased was a nodal officer at a primary health center during Covid.
A Karnataka High Court directive has ordered the chief commissioner of the Greater Bengaluru Authority to re-evaluate a compensation claim for Rs 50 lakh. This claim was filed by Manjushree B R, the widow of Babu V, a health worker who died of Covid-19 in 2021. Babu V had been deputed as a nodal officer at the Gunjur Primary Health Centre.
Initially, authorities rejected Manjushree's claim, stating her husband was not directly involved in treating Covid-19 patients. However, the High Court overturned this decision, emphasizing that his role as a nodal officer involved exposure to potential Covid-19 cases and that compensation should not be denied based on his specific duties. Babu V had been reporting to the health center daily until he fell ill in April 2021.
The court highlighted that the employing body, whether the Horticulture Department or the BBMP, had a responsibility to ensure compensation was paid. The nature of Babu V's appointment, whether on honorarium or regular basis, was deemed immaterial by the court. Manjushree is now preparing to submit a fresh representation as directed by the High Court, hoping for a positive resolution.
