1 2026:CGHC:24501 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR WPC No. 2496 of 2021 1 - Deepak Thawani S/o Shri Ramesh Thawani Aged About 30 Years R/o Rajapara Dondilohara, Thana- Dondilohara, District Balod, Chhattisgarh., District : Balod, Chhattisgarh ... Petitioner Versus 1 - Union Of India Ministry Of Home Affairs Through Secretary Home Affair Disaster Management Division C-Wing 3rd Floor, Ndcc-Ii Jai Singh Road, New Delhi- 110001. 2 - State Of Chhattisgarh Through Secretary Revenue And Disaster Management Department, Mahanadi Bhawan, Nawa Raipur, Chhattisgarh., District : Raipur, Chhattisgarh 3 - Collector/president District Disaster Management District Balod, Chhattisgarh., District : Balod, Chhattisgarh ... Respondents For Petitioner : Mr. Anand Bajaj, Advocate For Respondent No. 1 : Mr. Ravikar Patel, Central Government Counsel For Respondents No. 2 & 3 : Mr. Atanu Ghosh, Dy. Government Advocate SB: Hon'ble Shri Parth Prateem Sahu, Judge ORDER ON BOARD 17/06 /2026 1. The petitioner has filed this writ petition seeking following reliefs:- “10.1 That, the Hon'ble Court may kindly be quash the impugned order dated 16.12.2020 (Annexure P/1) is directed the Respondent No. 2 to issue the direction to the all Collector including the Respondent No. 3 for start processing of assistance 2 from the State Disaster Response Fund in wake of Covid – 19 virus breakout according to the list of item and norms of assistance from State Disaster Response Fund in the interest of justice. 10.2 Any other relief, which may be suitable in the facts and circumstances of the case, may also be granted.” 2. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the writ petition is filed seeking compensation against the death of her step-mother during COVID – 19 pandemic. He submits that the petitioner has directly filed this writ petition on the ground that the State of Chhattisgarh had issued a direction to all the Collectors on 16.12.2020 that there is no provision for providing the amount of compensation. 3. On the other hand, learned counsel for the Respondents/State would submit that petitioner has not submitted any application claiming compensation as claimed in the writ petition before appropriate authority, but have directly filed writ petition. He submits that he is not disputing the letter issued by the State Government on 16.10.2020. He however, submits that subsequently, State Government has issued another letter and issued direction pursuant to the order dated 08.10.2021 wherein, the Collectors of the State have been intimated that provision has been made to grant an amount of Rs. 50,000/- ex gratia for each of the deceased who died due to COVID – 19 pandemic. He also submits that the Committee is constituted at District Level for considering the application and claim of the applicants therein. He further submits that if petitioner files appropriate application before the concerned Committee, it will be considered in accordance with law. 4. When question is posed to the learned counsel for the petitioner as to whether, the petitioner submitted any application seeking the relief as claimed for in this writ petition before any authority, he submits that no such documents is enclosed along with the writ petition. 3 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the documents placed on record. 6. On due consideration of the submission of counsel for the respective parties, facts and circumstances of the case, nature of grievance raised by the petitioner and further considering the reply submitted by the Respondents/State in which, the letter/guideline dated 08.10.2021 has been enclosed wherein, provision has been made to grant ex gratia of Rs. 50,000/- against the death of a person due to COVID – 19 pandemic, I find it appropriate to dispose of this writ petition at this stage, permitting the petitioner to submit representation in prescribed proforma before the Committee constituted under the letter/guideline dated 08.10.2021 and if such an application is submitted, the concerned authority shall consider and decide the claim of the petitioner/application in accordance with law, expeditiously, preferably within a further period of 04 months from the date of receipt of application. It is ordered accordingly. 7. With the aforesaid observation and direction, this writ petition stands disposed of. Sd/- (Parth Prateem Sahu) Judge Dey SHUBHAM DEY Digitally signed by SHUBHAM DEY