Allahabad High Court has ruled that claims under the Mukhyamantri Krishak Durghatana Kalyan Yojana cannot be rejected solely due to delay without giving applicants a chance to explain the reasons. The Court emphasized that such rejection would violate principles of natural justice.
The case involved multiple petitions filed by Mala Devi, Gayatri Devi, Saraswati Devi, and Shiv Kumari, who sought compensation after the death of their family members under the state scheme.
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Their claims were rejected by the District Level Committee on the ground that applications were filed beyond the prescribed 75-day limitation period under the scheme.
Challenging these rejections, the petitioners approached the High Court, arguing that delays occurred due to genuine difficulties such as obtaining required documents.
The Division Bench comprising Justice Atul Sreedharan and Justice Siddharth Nandan observed that the scheme is a beneficial welfare scheme meant to support families of deceased farmers.
The Court noted:
“The Court observed that rejection without considering explanation would violate principles of natural justice.”
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It further highlighted that many beneficiaries are from rural and economically weaker backgrounds, and strict adherence to a short limitation period may defeat the purpose of the scheme.
“No person should be prejudiced without being heard,” the bench reiterated, referring to the principle of audi alteram partem.
It held that even if the scheme does not explicitly provide for condonation, authorities must still consider explanations for delay in light of natural justice principles.
The bench also acknowledged that delays may occur due to administrative hurdles, such as delays in obtaining documents like death certificates, postmortem reports, or income proofs.
Case Title: Mala Devi & Others vs State of U.P. & Others
Case Number: Writ-C No. 7028/2026 & connected matters
Judge: Justice Atul Sreedharan, Justice Siddharth Nandan
Decision Date: 20 March 2026
