Pay For Kerala Flood Relief To Restore Petition, Directs Madhya Pradesh HC [Read Order]

For restoration of a petition which got dismissed for default, the Madhya Pradesh High Court imposed a condition of payment for Kerala flood relief, observing that "people of Kerala are facing the natural calamity in the form of severe flood". The order was passed by Justice Anand Pathak of Gwalior Bench of MP High Court.

The Court said that restoration application can be allowed on the principle that the litigant should not suffer due to the fault of the lawyer. However, restoration applications are usually allowed on costs. In the light of Kerala floods, the Court deemed it fit to order payment of costs to Kerala Flood Relief Fund. The counsel for the applicant undertook to deposit sum of Rs.1000/- to the account of Kerala Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund. The Court also directed to send a copy of the order to Chief Secretary, Kerala Government.

The Delhi High Court has also imposed a similar condition of payment to Kerala flood relief fund, for quashing an FIR on mutual settlement between parties. Justice Sanjeev Sachdev of Delhi HC directed payment of Rs.15,000/- to Kerala CM's Distress Relief Fund.

Kerala is facing an unprecedented crisis, as it has been hit by the worst-floods in 100 years. After heavy monsoon downpour, 35 dams have been opened and 44 rivers are overflowing, deluging most towns of the state across its length and breadth, resulting in loss of about 300 lives. More than 3 lakhs homes and 10,000 kilometers of road have been destroyed. The loss caused is estimated to be about Rs.19,000 crores. About 3 lakh persons are reported to have been displaced and shifted to relief camps.

While several accounts and funds are in place for making donations, here are the details for Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund Account:

Bank: State Bank of India (SBI)
Account Number: 67319948232
Branch : City Branch, Thiruvananthapuram
IFSC : SBIN0070028
PAN: AAAGD0584M
Account Type: Savings
SWIFT CODE : SBININBBT08
Name of Donee: Chief Ministers Distress Relief Fund
Address: Govt of Kerala
District: Thiruvananthapuram, State Kerala, Pin 695001

Donations can also be made online, here.

Read Order