YOGESH TIWARI TIWARI Date: 2026.05.02

2026:CGHC:20583 AFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR WPC No. 579 of 2023 Jagdish Prasad Rathore S/o Late Shri Rikhi Ram Rathore Aged About 60 Years R/o Mauhadih, Post Jharna, Janjgir, District Janjgir-Champa (C.G.)

... Petitioner versus

1 - State Of Chhattisgarh Through Secretary, Department Of Revenue, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur, District Raipur (C.G.)

2 - Secretary Health And Family Welfare, Mantralaya, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur, District Raipur (C.G.)

3 - Collector Janjgir, District Janjgir-Champa (C.G.)

4 - Collector Sakti, District Sakti (C.G.)

5 - Sub-Divisional Officer (Revenue) Janjgir, District Janjgir-Champa (C.G.)

6 - Sub-Divisional Officer (Revenue) Sakti, District Sakti (C.G.)

7 - Tahsildar Saragaon Tahsil Office Saragaon, District Janjgir-Champa (C.G.)

8 - Tahsildar Baradwar Tahsil Office Baradwar, District Sakti (C.G.)

9 - Sarpanch Village Mauhadih, Post Jharna, Janjgir, District Janjgir-

Champa (C.G.)

... Respondents (Cause-title taken from Case Information System)

For Petitioner : Mr. Anirrudh Shrivastava, Advocate For Respondent-State : Mr. Saumitra Kesharwanai, Panel Lawyer For Respondent No.9 : Mr. Rajvansh Singh, Advocate Hon’ble Shri Amitendra Kishore Prasad, Judge

Order on Board

01.05.2026

1. By filing the present petition, the petitioner has challenged the impugned order dated 06.06.2022 (Annexure-P/1) passed by the Sub-Divisional Officer (Revenue), whereby financial assistance has been denied on account of the death of the petitioner’s wife, Late Smt. Fulwara Bai Rathore, who died on 07.10.2021 allegedly due to snake bite. The rejection is based on the F.S.L. Report dated 31.12.2021, which did not detect snake venom in the examined articles, and the final enquiry report describing the cause of death as “bite by a poisonous creature,” which is not covered under the amended provisions of Revenue Book Circular- 6(4) dated 09.06.2015. It is contended that the impugned order is arbitrary and unsustainable, as it overlooks material evidence, including the fact that the deceased was treated for snake bite at the hospital and the Patwari’s report also clearly attributes the death to snake bite. The petitioner has prayed for following reliefs :-

“10.1 That, this Hon'ble Court may kindly be pleased to call for the entire records in relation to the case of the petitioner from the possession of respondents for its kind perusal.

10.2 That, this Hon'ble Court may kindly be pleased to issue a writ or writs/order or orders quashing impugned order dated 06.06.2022 (Annexure-P/1) being arbitrary, illegal and against the law.

10.3 That, this Hon'ble Court may kindly be pleased to hold that the death of the wife of the petitioner has been caused by snake bite.

10.4 That, this Hon'ble Court may kindly be pleased to direct the respondent authorities to provide the financial assistance of Rs.10 lakhs to the petitioner.

10.5 That, this Hon'ble Court may kindly be pleased to grant any other relief/relief's in favour of the petitioner, which the Hon'ble Court deemed fit & just in the facts and circumstances of the case, including awarding of the costs to the petitioner.”

2. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is a marginal farmer owning only a little more than one acre of land and his wife, Late Smt. Fulwara Bai Rathore, died on 07.10.2021 due to a snake bite sustained during the intervening night of 06.10.2021. It is contended that the petitioner himself witnessed the incident and saw the snake coming down from the bed immediately after the deceased raised alarm upon being bitten on her left ring finger. He further submits that the deceased was immediately taken to Barrister Thakur Chhedi Lal District Hospital, Janjgir, where she was admitted in the early hours and treated specifically for “snake bite,” as recorded in the hospital documents. Thereafter, owing to her critical condition, she was referred and subsequently admitted to NKH Multi Speciali