Overview
- A two-judge bench of Justices P.S. Narasimha and R. Mahadevan heard appeals to widen access to the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package beyond staff formally requisitioned for COVID duty.
- The judges indicated claims should be allowed where evidence shows a doctor kept services open during pandemic restrictions and the death was due to the virus.
- The Court said it will lay down binding principles rather than decide individual cases, with insurers to apply the framework when adjudicating claims.
- The Centre, represented by Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, maintained the scheme must be interpreted strictly as an insurance contract and warned against expanding eligibility.
- The bench sought government data on parallel relief schemes and stressed that valid claims must be compelled for payment under the Rs 50 lakh PMGKP cover.