JUDGMENT :

1. The four writ petitions pose a challenge to the order passed by the Permanent Lokadalat, Aurangabad, in distinct Pre-litigation Dispute Applications, which has held the petitioner/the Oriental Insurance Company liable for the payment of compensation to the claimants in the wake of the policy of the State Government and the petitions are filed being aggrieved by the said order, on a submission, that the impugned Award has erroneously fastened the liability on the insurance company, dehors the contract of insurance.

Since the four writ petitions involve a common point of law and arise out of a common cause of action, they are heard together and decided by this common judgment.

2. Rule. Rule made returnable forthwith. Heard finally by consent of parties.

Heard the learned Advocate Shri. Dhananjay Deshpande for the petitioner-Insurance Company, Shri. P. G. Borade, learned AGP for respondent no.2/State, Shri. S. B. Solanke, learned Advocate for respondents/Claimants and Shri. S. S. Shinde, learned Counsel for respondent no. 3 in WP No. 12529 of 2021.

3. The State of Maharashtra being a welfare State, aimed at protecting the health and well being of its citizens, was conscious o