Khirud Boruah v. the State of Assam and 9 Ors.
Case brief
What is this about?
WP(C)/5109/2023, Gauhati High Court, single judge (Justice Michael Zothankhuma), order dated 07.04.2025, neutral citation 2025:GAU-AS:4228. Subject: release/division of service and pensionary benefits of deceased unmarried employee Late Jiten Boruah (UDA, Deputy Inspector of Schools' office, Dhakuakhana, Lakhimpur) among his siblings. Keywords: next of kin certificate; District Commissioner; legal heirs; siblings; equal share of service benefits; respondent Nos.7-10 affidavit dated 04.06.2024; separate claims by petitioner and respondent No.7; DEEO Lakhimpur (respondent No.3) directed to decide after hearing all parties; decision within 3 months of certified copy; fallback to Civil Court; antecedent Title Suit (D) No.02/2020 (Munsiff No.2, North Lakhimpur) dismissed for plaintiff's absence; writ petition disposed of.
What did the court decide?
Directions issued to respondent No.3 (DEEO, Lakhimpur) to decide, after giving an opportunity of hearing to all parties and upon submission of the “next of kin certificate” issued by the concerned District Commissioner, whether the petitioner and respondent Nos.7 to 10 are the siblings of Late Jiten Boruah entitled to his service benefits, and to disburse the benefits to them if entitled; the decision is to be taken within 3 (three) months from receipt of a certified copy of the order along with a copy of the writ petition; if the State respondents are unable to reach a finding/decision, the parties may approach the Civil Court.