Gujarat HC orders state to pay Rs 90,000 to family of man who was killed by Army during 1985 rath yatra

The Gujarat High Court today ordered the state government to give Rs 90,000 as compensation with interest since 1995 to the family of a man who was killed in firing by the Army during the rath yatra here in 1985.

Justice J B Pardiwala ordered the state government to grant compensation to the family of Umedmiya Rathod, killed over three decades ago by an Army bullet during Lord Jagannath rath yatra.

It held the state government responsible for his death, observing that the Army was deployed to assist the local authorities in maintaining law and order.

“The civil suit is allowed with a decree of the compensation of Rs 90,000 with interest at the rate of 7 per cent per annum from the date of the suit until the amount is realised,” it said.

The incident occurred 1985, and the matter was referred to the bench of Justice J B Pardiwala after a division bench of Justice S R Brahmbhatt and Justice Jayant Patel gave a split verdict in 2011.

“According to the evidence of the plaintiff, her husband was earning Rs 700 to Rs 750 per month by doing some petty business. In my view, awarding of compensation of Rs 90,000 as prayed meets …read more