In a significant ruling, the Delhi High Court has held that a government school head who died after contracting COVID-19 while supervising relief work was entitled to ex-gratia compensation. The Court rejected the government’s stand that he was merely performing “routine duty.”
Background of the Case
The petition was filed by Prem Sheela Kumari, widow of late Dr. Raja Ram Singh, who served as Vice Principal and Head of School at a government school in Sangam Vihar, Delhi.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the school was designated as a Hunger Relief Centre where food and rations were distributed. Dr. Singh was tasked with supervising these operations alongside his regular administrative duties.
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In May 2021, while actively engaged in these responsibilities during the second wave, he contracted COVID-19 and later passed away in hospital.
His family sought ₹1 crore compensation under the Delhi government’s COVID relief scheme. However, the claim was rejected by a Group of Ministers (GoM) on the ground that he was not on “COVID duty” but performing routine work.
Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav closely examined the nature of duties performed by the deceased and the purpose behind the compensation scheme.
The Court noted that the deceased had been assigned responsibilities related to ration distribution and relief operations during the pandemic, which exposed him to COVID-19 risks.
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Importantly, the Court rejected the artificial distinction between “routine duty” and “COVID duty.”
“The attempt to distinguish between COVID-19 duty and routine duty is arbitrary and unsustainable,” the Court observed.
It further emphasized that frontline workers who ensured continuity of essential services during the pandemic deserved recognition and protection under the scheme.
Relying on earlier similar rulings, the Court reiterated that such schemes must be interpreted in light of their purpose to compensate families of those who lost their lives while serving during the crisis.
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The Court highlighted that:
- The deceased was actively engaged in relief-related work during the pandemic.
- He contracted COVID-19 while performing these duties.
- The government’s narrow interpretation of “COVID duty” defeated the intent of the scheme.
“The purpose of the scheme cannot be curtailed by restrictive interpretation,” the bench noted.
Setting aside the order dated November 3, 2023, the Court held that the petitioner was entitled to ex-gratia compensation.
The Delhi High Court directed the authorities to pay ₹1 crore to the petitioner within six weeks.
The matter has been listed for compliance on May 15, 2026.
Case Details
Case Title: Prem Sheela Kumari v. Govt. of NCT of Delhi & Anr.
Case Number: W.P.(C) 3310/2024
Judge: Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav
Decision Date: 27 March 2026
Counsels:
- For Petitioner: Mr. Prafulla, Ms. Divya, Mr. Ankur Rana, Mr. Kuldeep Singh
- For Respondents: Ms. Vaishali Gupta, Mr. Kartik Sharma
