High Court Orders Maharashtra to Pay ₹50 Lakh to Widow of GST Staffer Who Died from COVID-19

The Bombay High Court has ruled in favor of the widow of a peon employed with the Commissioner of Sales Tax, ordering the Maharashtra government to pay ₹50 lakh as compensation. The peon, who died after contracting COVID-19 while on duty during the pandemic, was determined to be covered under a May 29, 2020 government resolution providing insurance cover or ex-gratia assistance to government staff who died due to COVID-19 while performing their duties.

The petitioner, Shusha Shinde, approached the high court in 2024 after tax authorities rejected her claim under the scheme. Her husband had been called for duty during the pandemic and died on June 26, 2020. The state had initially contended that the scheme applied only to employees engaged in specific COVID-19 related activities such as survey, tracing, testing, treatment, and relief work. The state argued that paying under the scheme to an ineligible person would result in expanding the scope of the scheme.

However, a division bench of Justices M.S. Karnik and S.M. Modak disagreed with the state's contention. The bench held that the resolution was clear in its intent to provide assistance to government employees who died due to COVID-19 while performing their duties, regardless of the specific nature of their work. The court emphasized that the resolution aimed to provide a safety net for all government employees during the unprecedented times of the pandemic.

Shusha Shinde’s legal battle highlights the importance of clear and inclusive policies that protect the rights of government employees and their families. The ruling is expected to set a precedent for similar cases where families of government employees who died due to COVID-19 are seeking compensation. The Bombay High Court’s decision underscores the need for governments to be proactive in providing support and compensation to those who risk their lives for the public good.

The case also brings to light the broader issue of worker safety and the measures that should be taken to protect essential workers during health crises. The Maharashtra government’s initial reluctance to provide compensation to Shusha Shinde reflects the challenges faced by families of frontline workers who are often left to navigate complex bureaucratic processes to secure their rights.

In conclusion, the court’s decision is a significant victory for the family of the deceased peon and serves as a reminder of the importance of clear and fair policies in protecting the rights of government employees and their families. It also highlights the need for governments to be more responsive and compassionate in their dealings with those who have lost loved ones due to the pandemic.