New Delhi: The Supreme Court has directed the Uttarakhand government to pay ₹1 crore in compensation to the family of a doctor who was tragically shot dead while on duty at a hospital in 2016. The order comes after years of legal battles due to the state’s delay in providing the promised ex-gratia payment.
Delayed Compensation and Legal Battle
Despite the Chief Minister and Chief Secretary approving ₹50 lakh as financial assistance at the time of the incident, only ₹1 lakh was initially paid to the doctor’s family. The state later argued that such a large amount could not be paid under existing rules. Following legal proceedings, an additional ₹10 lakh was provided, along with other entitlements such as leave encashment, pension, and a compassionate job for the doctor’s son in the health department.
The Uttarakhand High Court had previously directed the state government to pay ₹1.90 crore, acknowledging the risks doctors face while serving the public. However, the state challenged this decision in the Supreme Court, arguing that applying the multiplier method (used in motor accident claims) to compute compensation was unjustified.
Supreme Court’s Verdict
Hearing the case, a bench comprising Justices J.K. Maheshwari and Aravind Kumar criticized the government for failing to honor its initial commitment and making the family endure nearly nine years of litigation. The Court ruled that, considering interest accrued over time, the family should receive a total of ₹1 crore.
Since ₹11 lakh has already been paid, the remaining ₹89 lakh must be disbursed within six weeks. The Supreme Court has also mandated a compliance affidavit to be submitted before the next hearing on April 22, 2025.
Significance of the Judgment
The ruling reinforces the importance of safeguarding frontline healthcare workers and ensuring that families of medical professionals who face violence receive timely justice and financial security. The verdict also calls for greater accountability in state compensation policies.
