Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, May 10: High Court has directed for ex-gratia relief and compassionate appointment of next kins of two youth who disappeared about 23 years ago.
The fathers of two youth Sajad Ahmad Dar and Feroz Ahmad Lone, both residents of District Anantnag, approached the court with the contentions that their sons suddenly disappeared in the year 2001 and later on came to know that their sons had been arrested by 14 RR, Kupwara.
They approached the erstwhile J&K State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) with a complaint against various officials of Police Department in which they stated that their sons had been abducted by one Tariq Ahmad Bhat, who handed over them to Government agencies in 2001 and since then whereabouts of their sons had not been known. The Commission vide judgment dated 17.10.2006 recommended payment of compensation in the amount of Rs.2.00 Lakhs each in favour of petitioners and benefit under SRO 43 of 1994.
Since they have not been paid the compensation and benefits of SRO 43 as directed by the then SHRC they pray before the court for compensation and compassionate appointment of family members of each of the petitioners in government service who were dependent on income of the deceased/disappeared as directed by the SHRC.
Justice V C Koul said that in the present case, the Commission on 17th October 2006 made certain recommendations on the complaints of petitioners. The recommendations include payment of Rs.2.00 Lakhs as ex gratia relief in each case and also benefit under SRO 43. Respondents admit that ex gratia relief cases have been processed by Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag, in which requisite information/facts have been submitted to the said quarters.
“Taking an overall view of the case set up and orders passed from time to time by this Court, as also having regard to the fact that respondents in their reply have stated that case of petitioners for ex gratia relief and benefit under SRO 43 has been processed, it would be appropriate to direct respondents to consider the case of petitioners for ex gratia relief as also for SRO 43 on its own merits within four months from today”, Justice V C Koul directed.
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