Orissa HC Directs Centre To Pay Rs 10 Lakh Compensation For Student’s Death In Puri

Cuttack: More than 11 years after a student died in an accident in Navodaya Vidyalaya campus in Puri district, the Orissa High Court has directed the Centre to pay a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to his family.

As per the case, the Class XII student, Jayaram Jena, sustained injury while playing cricket in the school ground on November 3, 2011. The incident took place when the bat slipped from the hand of a batsman and hit Jayaram on the face while he was fielding in a close position. He was rushed to local community health centre (CHC) and later shifted to a hospital in Bhubaneswar where he died next day.

Disposing a petition, filed by Jayaram’s father Jaladhar Jena on September 7, 2012, Justice Arindam Sinha on Tuesday observed that neither the parents nor the relatives of the deceased delayed in getting medical attention to Jayaram after the accident. There was also no dispute that the child had complained of headache.

“The court is convinced that there was contributory negligence on part of the school leading to loss of young life,” TOI quoted Justice Sinha as saying. He directed the Central government to pay compensation to Jayaram’s father within 4 weeks.

If the payment is not made, the amount will carry simple interest at 5% per annum calculated from September 7, 2012 till the date of payment, he added.