HC orders payment of Rs 10 lakh to cop's widow

The Madras High Court has upheld a single judge's order directing the state government to pay Rs 10 lakh with interest,under the Tamil Nadu Police Insurance Scheme, to the wife of a sub-inspector who died on duty.

A division bench of Justices K K Sasidharan and R Subramanian, said the rules in the insurance scheme were framed for the welfare of the legal heirs of police personnel, who have died while on duty.

The rules were not restricted to accidental death or permanent/partial disability alone, it said in a recent order.

The bench said a scheme like this must be given liberal interpretation taking into account the purpose for which it was framed.

The scope of the rule clearly indicates that even a policeman who dies during duty is entitled to compensation and it is not confined to accidental death, it added.

"We are, therefore, of the view that there is absolutely no merit in the contention of the authorities," the bench said.

The bench was dismissing an appeal from the State Home Secretary and the DGP on July 4 last challenging a single judge's order dated April 25, 2014.

A sub-inspector in the commando force, S Nithiyanandam suffered chest pain on May 29, 2008, while travelling by train to report to superintendent of police at Jolarpettai about an anti-dacoity operation.

The policeman was taken to a hospital at Jolarpettai, where he was declared brought dead.

After the death, his widow sought Rs 10 lakh under the insurance scheme.

As the authorities denied the sum, she approached the High Court.