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The Supreme Court on Monday reiterated its anguish over the fake certificates being issued by the Doctors in view of the attempts of family members of the persons who died of Covid-19 to receive ex gratia compensation.

A bench of Justice MR Shah and Justice BV Nagarathna said that,

"We never visualised it that it'll be misused in such a way, it is a very serious thing. It is even worse if the officials are involved in this, it is a pious world."

The bench was hearing a plea seeking ex-gratia monetary compensation to the families of deceased who succumbed to Covid-19 infection in view of  Section 12 of The Disaster Management Act, 2005.

During the arguments, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta asked the bench to give directions setting a limitation for applying for the ex-gratia compensation. To which the bench asked Mehta to submit an appropriate application in this regard.

In addition to this, Advocate Diksha Rai appearing for the State of Assam sought clarification from the bench in regard to its order allowing ex-gratia compensation as to whether the amount is to be distributed among the children or the compensation is / children.

However, the bench clarified that "our order is very clear, it'll be Rs. 50,000/ death. Whereas, if both the parents have died then Rs. 50,000 for each death."

The bench has posted the matter for hearing on Monday while asking Mehta to submit its application and making suggestions for dealing with the issue of fake certificates.

Earlier, the bench had been informed that some doctors are issuing fake certificates for the purpose of filing applications to receive the ex gratia compensation and they are also suggesting similar treatment in other diseases as well for families to avail said benefit. Whereas, the bench had sought suggestions to deal with the issue of doctors issuing fake Covid-19 certificates

Case title: Gaurav Kumar Bansal Vs Union of India