GIRIJA DEVI vs THE STATE OF GNCT OF DELHI THROUGH ITS CHIEF SECRETARY & ORS.

Judgment text excerpt

* IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI % Judgment reserved on: 25.08.2025 Judgment delivered on: 04.09.2025 + LPA 45/2025 & CM APPL. 3201/2025 GIRIJA DEVI ...Appellant versus THE STATE OF GNCT OF DELHI THROUGH ITS CHIEF SECRETARY & ORS. ...Respondents Advocates who appeared in this case: For the Appellant : Mr. Raja Choudhary with Mr. Kapil Kumar Sharma, Mr. Dhruv Tiwari, Ms. Anushika Mishra, Mr. Devender, Advocates. For the Respondents : Mr. Anubhav Gupta, Advocate for GNCTD with Mr. Bishamber Nath, SDM. Mr. Manu Chaturvedi, S.C. with Mr. Ram Kishan Bharti, A.D.(Education) for MCD. CORAM: HON'BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE TUSHAR RAO GEDELA JUDGMENT TUSHAR RAO GEDELA, J. 1. Present Letters Patent Appeal has been filed challenging the order dated 28.11.2024 passed by the learned Single Judge whereby the writ petition bearing W.P.(C) 15278/2024 titled “Girija Devi vs. The State of GNCT of Delhi, Through The Chief Secretary & Ors.” filed by the Signature Not Verified Digitally Signed By:YASHRAJ LPA 45/2025 Page 1 of 17 Signing Date:04.09.2025 16:13:47 appellant was dismissed, holding that the deceased husband of the appellant was not on covid duty at the relevant time and thus, disentitling her from ex-gratia compensation. 2. Briefly, the case of the appellant is that the appellant’s husband, Late Mr. Shivnath Prasad had joined the services of GNCT of Delhi as Assistant Teacher on 05.05.1993 and at the relevant time, was rendering services as the Principal of the MCD Primary Boy’s School, Nithari No.2/II. On 25.03.2020, a nationwide lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic was announced. Keeping in view the nature of the pandemic, and having regard to the fact that essential services have to continue, both the Central as well as the State Governments had passed ord