India, March 26 -- In a relief to the family of Covid-19 warriors, the Bombay High Court on Wednesday held that the absence of an RT-PCR test report cannot be the sole ground to deny Rs.50 lakh ex-gratia compensation. The court has directed the Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) to pay the amount and offer a job to the kin of a bus conductor who died during the pandemic.

A division bench of Justices RI Chagla and Advait Sethna said denying benefits under the Government Resolution (GR) dated May 9, 2020. solely due to lack of RT-PCR proof would be "inhuman", especially when the employee died while on duty.

According to the 2020 GR, issued by the Union health ministry, Rs.50 lakh insurance cover was declared for healthca...