- KR BHARAT
- 2025-10-28
The Supreme Court on Tuesday strongly criticized the delay in disbursing compensation to doctors who died while serving during the Covid-19 pandemic, calling it a matter of grave concern. Hearing a plea on pending compensation claims, the bench remarked that the sacrifices made by medical professionals during the crisis must not be forgotten or disregarded. “Society will not forgive us if we fail to ensure justice for those who risked their lives,” the court observed, directing both the central and state governments to expedite the remaining payments.
The bench noted that despite earlier orders, several families of deceased doctors had not yet received the promised ex-gratia compensation. The court expressed displeasure at the bureaucratic hurdles and urged authorities to adopt a more compassionate approach, emphasizing that the delay was “deeply insensitive” to the families’ suffering. It sought detailed affidavits from all states and Union Territories on the status of pending claims within a specified time frame.
During the hearing, the petitioner highlighted that thousands of doctors and healthcare workers had died in the line of duty, yet many families were still awaiting relief. The Centre’s representative informed the court that most cases had been settled, but admitted that discrepancies in documentation and verification had slowed the process in some regions. The court, however, stated that such procedural excuses could not justify prolonged delays.
Reiterating the importance of honoring frontline workers, the Supreme Court said the government must treat these cases as a matter of moral responsibility, not mere administration. It warned that any further negligence or inaction would invite strict judicial scrutiny. The matter has been scheduled for further hearing after the court receives updated compliance reports from all states.
