Maharashtra Govt Grants Financial Aid To Martyr Major Anuj Sood's Family

The Mumbai High Court has praised the Maharashtra government for its decision. The court acknowledged the real human suffering involved. The Maharashtra government decided to give financial benefits to the family of Army Major Anuj Sood. He was martyred while rescuing civilians held hostage in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Shinde government informed the court about this decision, which was appreciated by the bench. Akriti Sood, the wife of Major Anuj Sood, had approached the court in 2019 and 2020. She sought financial benefits for ex-servicemen under two government proposals.

Major Sood was martyred in May 2020 during a rescue operation. The then Uddhav Thackeray government had refused to give financial benefits to his family. Major Sood was posthumously honoured with the Shaurya Chakra.

On August 26, 2020, the Maharashtra government stated that Major Sood's family was not eligible for benefits. The proposal was only for those born in Maharashtra or living there continuously for 15 years. Akriti Sood filed a petition against this decision.

A bench of Justices Girish Kulkarni and Firdaus Puniwala considered Major Sood's case special and extraordinary. They directed the government to provide financial benefits. They also said that if the government did not comply, the court would issue a special order.

The Shinde government has now decided to assist Major Sood's wife. Advocate General Birendra Saraff informed the bench on Wednesday. He said that the government would give financial benefits to Major Sood's family, considering it a special case.

The Maharashtra government will provide Rs 60 lakh to Akriti Sood and Rs 40 lakh to Major Sood's father. Additionally, they will receive a monthly payment of Rs 9,000.

The court appreciated the Maharashtra government's decision, noting that these are real human sufferings and exceptions must be made in special cases. They commended the Chief Minister and State Government for treating this as a special case and extending benefits.