Summary
The Supreme Court dismissed the petition of the mother of a police officer killed during a Darjeeling operation. A criminal case had already been registered, charge-sheeted and brought to trial, which was to take its own course. For her requests concerning family protection and compensation, the petitioner was given liberty to approach the State of West Bengal. No compensation, protection order or fixed trial deadline was awarded in this judgment.
Issues
- Whether the pending criminal trial required intervention in the Article 32 petition.
- How the petitioner could pursue protection and compensation requests.
Held
- The petitioner herself stated that the case concerning her son’s death had been registered, a charge-sheet submitted and trial was proceeding. The Court left the criminal process to take its own course rather than directing a particular outcome or imposing the requested timetable. (¶¶ 1, 2)
- The petitioner was free to approach the State of West Bengal for appropriate relief concerning her remaining requests. The writ petition was dismissed with that liberty, without adjudicating a quantified compensation entitlement or granting a specific protection measure. (¶¶ 1, 2, 3)
Result
Writ petition dismissed with liberty to approach the State of West Bengal for appropriate relief; pending criminal trial to take its own course.