In a recent case, the Bombay High Court decided whether the family of a bus driver, Brijlal Yadav, should get money after his death. The court had to figure out if his death was connected to his job.
Brijlal Yadav was a temporary bus driver for M/S Arjun Travels in Mumbai. On December 16, 2021, he was found dead in a bus. His family, including his widow Jamuna Devi and their children, asked for money, saying his death was related to his work.
The court focused on three main questions: 1. Did Brijlal's death happen while he was working? 2. Was there proof that his death was caused by a work-related accident? 3. Was Brijlal working when he died?
For M/S Arjun Travels: The company, M/S Arjun Travels, said Brijlal was not officially working the day he died. They showed records proving he hadn't worked since December 10, 2021. They said his death from heart disease was not because of a work accident.
For Jamuna Devi and Family: The family's lawyer said that even temporary workers like Brijlal should get money if their death is work-related. They argued that being found dead in the company's bus should count as work-related.
Judge S. M. Modak looked at whether Brijlal being in the bus was part of his job. The court noted that: - Brijlal was not driving or doing any work when he died. - There was no proof connecting his heart attack to his job. - The rules require a clear link between the job and the cause of death to get money.
The court decided that Brijlal's death was not related to his work duties. As a result, the claim was dismissed, but the court allowed the family to take Rs. 5 Lakhs as a kind gesture, with the rest of the money given back to M/S Arjun Travels.
