JUDGMENT :

(Shekhar B. Saraf, J.) :

1. The instant writ petition has been filed by the petitioners, Sulekha Chatterjee (hereinafter referred to as the “Petitioner No. 1”) and Smt. Payel Chaterjee (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Petitioner No. 2’) praying for writ of and/or a writ in the nature of Mandamus and a writ of certiorari upon the respondents with prayers for a writ of and/or a writ in the nature of Mandamus commanding the respondents to settle the claim of INR 6,99,500/-(Six lakhs ninety nine thousand and five hundred only) along with interest at the rate of 18% per annum from the date of deposit till the settlement of such claim or within such time as may be fixed by this Court.

Facts

2. I have laid down the factual matrix of the instant case below:

a. Petitioner No. 1 is the wife of Shaheed Ashok Kumar Chatterjee, who was an Overseer in Border Road Organization and was attached to 69, Road Construction Company. Shaheed Ashok Kumar Chatterjee was engaged in the “Construction of ‘Basoli Bani’ highway in the State of Jammu & Kashmir”.

b. On September 2, 2003, Shaheed Ashok Kumar Chatterjee, along with three other colleagues while proceeding to the work site was severely in