[Covid-19] 'Why Govt's Share In Death Claims To Deceased Lawyers' Dependents Not Released Timely?': Asks Chhattisgarh High Court

The Chhattisgarh High Court has asked the State Government to explain reasons as to why its share in death claims payable to dependents of deceased lawyers is not being released timely.

A division bench comprising of Acting Chief Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and Justice N.K. Chandravanshi was dealing with a plea seeking relief for the families of such Advocates who have either succumbed to Covid-19 or have been infected with it.

"Let the Principal Secretary to the Government of Chhattisgarh, Department of Law & Legislative Affairs shall file affidavit explaining reasons as to why the Government's share in the death claims to the dependants of a deceased lawyer is not released timely," the Court directed.

The development came after the State Bar Council apprised the Court that out of 51 death claims, 11 dependants of deceased lawyers have been paid some amount. However, it was also submitted that necessary funds are awaited from the State Government, resulting in some delay in making payment to the remaining beneficiaries.

Decongestion Of Prisons

On the aspect of decongestion of jails in the State, the Court observed that there was no agreement between the parties as to whether any convict released pursuant to the first order of the Supreme Court or High Power Committee recommendation in the year 2020 suffering jail sentence of seven years or more, but have not been released again.

"Let learned counsel for the petitioner bring on record the facts/data of the prisoners who are suffering jail sentence of seven years or more were released in 2020 consequent upon the Hon'ble Supreme Court's order/High Power Committee resolution but have not been released after the second order of the Hon'ble Supreme Court and second resolution of the High Power Committee," the Court ordered.

Earlier, the Court had directed the State Government and State Legal Service Authority (SLSA) to provide data of all such prisoners who were not released on interim bail/ parole pursuant to a recent order of the Supreme Court for decongestion of prisons.

The Court further directed that a Chart shall also be filed, mentioning the reasons due to which such prisoners were not released.

The matter will now be considered on August 20.

Title: Suo Moto WP (PIL) v. State Of Chhattisgarh

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