The Rajasthan High Court recently issued a strong rebuke to the state government for failing to release the salary of a government employee who has been in a coma for over two years due to a brain hemorrhage. The case drew attention to the lack of prompt action and empathy by the authorities toward an employee incapacitated by a sudden and severe medical condition. Justice Ravi Chirania, presiding over the matter, described the government’s approach as “inhumane, unreasonable, and violative of Article 21 of the Constitution of India,” which guarantees the right to life and personal liberty. The Court emphasized that the state has an obligation to ensure the dignity and welfare of its employees, particularly in extraordinary circumstances where health crises prevent them from working.
The employee in question has been in a comatose state since 2023, and as of August 2024, the government had stopped disbursing his salary. Moreover, the state had not reimbursed medical expenses incurred for his treatment. The Court observed that the financial condition of the employee and his family was extremely precarious, given the prolonged period without income coupled with mounting medical costs. Justice Chirania highlighted the severe human consequences of the government’s inaction, noting that it treated the incapacitated employee as “deadwood” rather than as a citizen entitled to care and protection under the law.
The High Court criticized the “inhumane and arbitrary” approach of the state authorities and directed that the case be reviewed on an urgent basis. The Court instructed that the government must examine all pending dues, including unpaid salary and outstanding medical bills, within seven days. The Court further mandated that, if no legal impediments existed, the government must release the full amount owed to the employee without delay. Additionally, the Court ordered that any future medical bills related to the employee’s ongoing treatment be promptly addressed and reimbursed, ensuring that administrative lapses do not exacerbate the employee’s already dire circumstances.
Justice Chirania’s observations underscored that the state bears a duty not only to uphold legal obligations but also to exercise compassion and humaneness in its dealings with employees who face unexpected life-altering events. The judgment stressed that the fundamental right to life under Article 21 encompasses the right to live with dignity, which includes access to wages, medical care, and financial security, especially for individuals incapacitated through no fault of their own.
This ruling serves as a reminder to government authorities about the necessity of empathetic and responsible administration. It establishes that bureaucratic delays or indifference cannot override the state’s constitutional obligations toward its employees. The Court’s directive aims to ensure that the employee receives all pending dues and ongoing medical support, safeguarding his right to a dignified existence despite severe health challenges. By intervening decisively, the Rajasthan High Court has highlighted the judiciary’s role in upholding human rights and ensuring that administrative processes align with both the law and the principles of justice and compassion.
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