The Orissa High Court on Wednesday issued notice to the State Government on payment of compensation to one Panchali Nath, whose husband and son had died in a boat capsize in the Brahamani river in 2007.
Claiming that the mishap was due to negligence of the ferry operator, Panchali had appealed for compensation of Rs 5 lakh and Rs 3 lakh for the death of her husband and son respectively.
The division bench of Chief Justice V Gopalagowda and Justice BK Mishra have issued notice to the State Government to file its response in two weeks.
Panchali, who hails from Parjang under Dhenkanal police limits, said the mishap occurred on January 11, 2007 when her husband, son and daughter were being ferried across the river in a boat. The boat being overloaded capsized mid-way. Though all other passengers were saved, her husband Dharmananda and two children drowned.
The petitioner alleged that the ferry ghat had been auctioned by Kamalsingh panchayat and the auction holder resorted to overloading of boats violating the rules. Due to this illegal act, she lost her entire family and was rendered destitute with no one to depend on.
She further stated that after the incident a criminal case was registered by police and after investigation, a chargesheet filed against the erring persons.
Alleging negligence on the part of the government machinery which led to the tragedy, she had appealed to the court to direct the State Government to pay her compensation.