HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT ALLAHABAD LUCKNOW WRIT - C No. - 10667 of 2025 Court No. - 3 HON'BLE SHEKHAR B. SARAF, J. HON'BLE MANJIVE SHUKLA, J. 1. Heard learned counsel appearing on behalf of the parties. 2. This is a writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India wherein the petitioner is aggrieved by the inaction of the respondents in not deciding the petitioner's claim application for compensation made under the Natural Disaster Scheme. 3. Upon perusal of the panchnama and the post-mortem report, it appears that the deceased has died of a suspected snake bite. There is nothing on record to disprove the panchnama that is being filed by the petitioner, as well as, the post-mortem report. 4. In light of the above, we are of the view that the stand of the petitioner that the death of the deceased took place due to snake bite cannot be brushed aside. We are also of the view that the benefit of doubt must go to the petitioner and accordingly, the Opposite Party No. 2 / District Magistrate, Lakhimpur is directed to provide the ex-gratia payment to the petitioner within a period of eight weeks from date. 5. The writ petition is disposed of in the aforesaid terms. November 19, 2025 Ashutosh Versus Counsel for Petitioner(s) : Janendra Kumar Verma, Deepak Kumar Verma Counsel for Respondent(s) : C.S.C. (Manjive Shukla,J.) (Shekhar B. Saraf,J.) Keshav .....Petitioner(s) State Of U.P. Thru. Commissioner And Secy. Board Of Revenue Lko. And 3 Others .....Respondent(s) Digitally signed by :- ASHUTOSH PANDEY High Court of Judicature at Allahabad, Lucknow Bench Digitally signed by :- ASHUTOSH PANDEY High Court of Judicature at Allahabad, Lucknow Bench