Endosulfan : Supreme Court Issues Contempt Notice To Kerala Govt Over Failure To Pay Compensation To Victims

The Supreme Court today issued notice in a contempt petition preferred by victims of spread of toxic pesticide called Endosulfan alleging failure on the part of State Government of Kerala to disburse compensation of Rs 5 lakhs to affected persons.

The notice was issued by the bench of Justices DY Chandrachud, Surya Kant and Vikram Nath.

On a petition filed by the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), the Supreme Court had, in January 2017, directed the Kerala government to release Rs.5 lakh each as compensation to all Endosulfan victims, within three months.

It was averred in the petition that respondent's conduct shows willful disobedience of the directions of the Top Court by not disbursing Rs 5 lakhs to the petitioners as well as other Endosulfan victims in the State and thereby showing disrespect of the directions of this Court dated 10.1.2017.

To substantiate their contention, reliance has been placed on the Top Court's order passed in July, 2019 where directions were issued to the Kerala Government to pay compensation of Rupees five lakhs each to four children, who are victims of Endosulfan.

"However, till date, even after the order passed by this Hon "ble Court in the above stated contempt petition, the order dated 10.01.2017 is complied by the Government of Kerala. The petitioners and several other persons who are entitled to get Rs. 5 Lakhs as directed by this Hon'ble Court. However they are yet to receive the said amount. It is pertinent to note that it was only due to the aerial use of endosulfan that the physical and mental health of the petitioners are affected badly and they are severally ill. The petitioners had to spend a huge amount of money for the treatment. They are having huge amount of debts incurred solely on account of the after effects of Endosulfan. The victims continue to live in dire straits," the plea states.

In the contempt petition was filed by Advocate PS Sudheer, the petitioners have sought initiation of contempt proceedings against the State for wilful disobedience of the Top Court's order dated January 10, 2017, issuance of directions to the State to disburse compensation of Rs 5 Lakhs and setting up medical facility at Kasargod District to provide treatment to the victims.

Case Title: Baiju KG & Ors v Dr Vishwas Mehta, IAS, Chief Secretary,Govt of Kerala

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