Full Judgment
P.R. Gokulakrishnan, C.J.
1. This matter was taken on file on a letter addressed to the Chief Justice by an Advocate whose name has not been mentioned. He has enclosed a paper cutting. This paper cutting is from a daily 'Sandesh' dated 15-8-1986 which reads as under:
Devendra Ratital Pathak, a Police Constable at Bharuch died suddenly at the young age of 46 years in a short sickness on 10-10-83.
The plight of the widow of the deceased and her only son has become as if they are 'dead though alive' after the deceased's death. The mother and the son wander like beggars seeking alms to obtain Rs. 20,252/- of the G.P. Fund of the deceased as per the new scheme. Both of them plead for mercy at different places, Bharuch, Surat, Ahmedabad wherever they are told to make an approach, but nobody passes their BNO. 33/86-87 and the widow does not get the money.
When the Home Department is unable to get the money paid to its own employee, the Police Constable, what else could the Home Department (be expected to) do? Perhaps the placards 'May I help you' are only meant for decorative purposes. Or, whether 'paper weight' is expected from the widow of their own co-employee by the 'Khakhi gang' to prevent the papers scattering away?
2. On this, the Officer was directed to number the petition and after numbering, we issued notice to the Addl. Government Pleader asking him to look into the matter and report. Mr. G.D Bhatt, learned Govt. Pleader took time on 29-8-1986 for the purpose of getting particulars regarding this matter. Today, he makes a statement before this Court on instructions that the widow of the Police Constable Devendra Ratilal Pathajc has got the Provident Fund amount of Rs. 22,650/- on 17-5-1985.
3. It is further stated by Mr. G.D. Bhatt, the learned Govt. Pleader that the Government has since paid the State Government Employees Insurance Scheme amount, amounting to Rs. 22,282/- to the widow of Devendra Ratilal Pathak. This was paid, according to the learned Govt. Pleader, on 5-9-1986. We are happy that the amount of the insurance scheme payable to the widow has been paid atleast now. Letter written by Dy. Superintendent of Police, C.I.D. and addressed to the Asstt. Government Pleader is taken on record. We observe that it would have been better if the authorities concerned had taken prompt action in disbursing the lawful dues payable to the unfortunate people. This Special Civil Application is disposed of accordingly.