IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH C.W.P.No.21341 of 2008 Date of Decision:- 27.04.2010 Sudesh Devi ....Petitioner(s) vs. Union of India and others ....Respondent(s) *** CORAM:- HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE AUGUSTINE GEORGE MASIH *** Present:- Mr.Gaurav Singla, Advocate, for the petitioner. Ms.Ranjana Shahi, Advocate, for respondents No.1 to 4. None for respondent No.5-National Insurance Company. *** AUGUSTINE GEORGE MASIH, J. (Oral) There are two prayers made in the present writ petition. One is with regard to the release of ex-gratia lump-sum compensation due to death of Sh.Raj Pal, husband of the petitioner, who was posted on the Line of Control in Baramulla District in Jammu & Kashmir and died on duty on 4.8.2006. Counsel for the respondents has placed on record a communication dated 16.4.2010 received by her from the respondents wherein it has been mentioned that the Government of India has granted Rs.15 lacs on account of ex-gratia lump-sum compensation on account of the death case of Sh.Raj Pal, husband of the petitioner and accordingly, Rs.15 lacs have been remitted to the account of the petitioner through two bank drafts bearing No.777285 and 777286 dated 12.3.2010 for Rs.8,00,000/- and 7,00,000/- respectively. In the light of the communication received by the counsel for the respondents which has been placed on record, the prayer qua this claim C.W.P.No.21341 of 2008 -2- has been rendered infructuous. The other prayer made in the present writ petition is for release of the risk cover/insurance claim under the Seema Prahari Beema Yojana (Group Personnel Accident Scheme). In this regard, counsel for the respondents No.1 to 4 has informed the Court that the Department is continuously pursuing the matter with the National Insurance Company for release of the insurance amount but no decision has been taken by the said Company on the claim as forwarded by the respondents. Respondent No.5-National Insurance Company, Jodhpur, who had been impleaded as a respondent vide C.M.No.19954 of 2009 vide order dated 15.12.2009, has been duly served but has chosen not to put in appearance. Vide order dated 18.03.2010, it was proceeded against ex- parte. The present writ petition is disposed of with a direction to respondent No.5-National Insurance Company, Jodhpur, to consider the claim which has been forwarded to the Company by the Department and take a decision thereon within a period of two months from the date of receipt of certified copy of this order. The decision so taken be conveyed to the petitioner forthwith. In case the claim is accepted and granted, the amount be paid within a period of one month from the date of such acceptance. Copy of this order be given dasti to counsel for the parties under the signatures of the Special Secretary of the Court. April 27, 2010 ( AUGUSTINE GEORGE MASIH ) poonam JUDGE