L.Santha v. The Deputy Secretary
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 13.03.2025
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY and W.M.P.No. 9481 of 2025 L.SANTHA ... Petitioner Vs 1.
THE DEPUTY SECRETARY, THE CHIEF MINISTER'S RELIEF FUND, SECRETARIAT, CHENNAI-600 009.
TAMIL NADU.
2.
THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR, RANIPETTAI, VELLORE.
3.
TASHILDAR TASHILDAR OFFICE, WALAJAH.
4.
THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, INDIAN OIL CORPORATION, CHENNAI DIVISIONAL OFFICE, ANNA SALAI, TEYNAMPET, CHENNAI- 600 035.
5.
RAMALINGAM 6.
NAVEEN GAS AGENCY, INDANE GAS DEALER, 1, NORTH ROAD, OPPOSITE NANDI, CIT NAGAR WEST, CHENNAI-600 035.
... Respondents 1/5
Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India for the issuance of Writ of Mandamus to call for the records relating to the proceedings of the second respondent made in Na.Ka.I3/3888/2019 dated 08.12.2022 and that of the third respondent made in ATM/627/2022 dated 29.12.2022 and quash the same and passed order therein and fourth respondent liability to the petitioner.
For Petitioner : Mr.B.Haripriya For R1 to R3 : Mr.S.Balamurugan Government Advocate For R4 : Mr.R.Sreedhar
ORDER
The writ petition is filed challenging the proceedings in Na.Ka.I3/3888/2019 dated 08.12.2022 and the enquiry report in ATM/627/2022 dated 29.12.2022 and to quash the same.
2. The grievance of the petitioner appears to be that the petitioner's husband, while standing on the road, was injured when a gas cylinder in a nearby shop burst. As a result of the fire, the petitioner's husband, along with others, suffered burn injuries and he died after protracted treatment. The petitioner, therefore, claims the ex-gratia amount provided by the Chief Minister's Relief Fund. The impugned orders are merely proceedings to 2/5
conduct an enquiry in this regard and the petitioner is wrongly challenging the same. It is seen that a case under Crime No. 646 of 2017 has also been registered and the petitioner's husband died due to the burn injuries. An application has been made by the petitioner.
3. In this regard, the learned Government Advocate appearing on behalf of the first to third respondents would submit that the scheme framed by the Government in G.O.(D).No.268 dated 18.08.2017, in which the persons dying due to snake bites, drowning, fire accidents, etc., are entitled for an ex-gratia amount of Rs.1,00,000/-. Therefore, it is stated that the petitioner's application will be considered, subject to the petitioner fulfilling all other eligibility norms.
4. The incident happened in the year 2017 and perhaps the petitioner, is in such a disadvantageous position, till date the matter is pending and is not taken care of. Therefore, without considering the delay as an issue, the petitioner's application shall be considered pursuant to the enquiry report submitted by the Revenue Inspector dated 29.12.2022. The petitioner's case shall be considered by the second respondent and an appropriate amount shall 3/5
be released as compensation for the death of the petitioner's husband in the fire accident. The said exercise shall be completed within twelve weeks from the date of receipt of the web copy of this order, without waiting for the certified copy of the order.
5. In view thereof, this writ petition stands disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. 13.03.2025 nsl To 1.
THE DEPUTY SECRETARY, THE CHIEF MINISTER'S RELIEF FUND, SECRETARIAT, CHENNAI-600 009.
TAMIL NADU.
2.
THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR, RANIPETTAI, VELLORE.
3.
TASHILDAR TASHILDAR OFFICE, WALAJAH.
4.
THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, INDIAN OIL CORPORATION, CHENNAI DIVISIONAL OFFICE, ANNA SALAI, TEYNAMPET, CHENNAI- 600 035.
4/5
D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY, J.
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