In re: COVID-19 ex-gratia compensation claims

Updates

1. News14 Oct 2026

   State Cannot Be Spectator To Human Suffering: Patna High Court Says COVID Ex-Gratia Claim Cannot Be Rejected Over Hospital Record Error

   The Patna HC has held that a genuine claim for ex-gratia compensation following a COVID-19 death cannot be rejected merely because of a discrepancy in the date recorded in a hospital laboratory...

   Explanation in simple terms

   What:

   The court ruled that the government must pay compensation to families for COVID deaths despite hospital record errors.

   Who:

   The Patna High Court acts as the judicial authority and the State of Bihar acts as the government body.

   When:

   Reported on 14 Oct 2026.

   Where:

   Patna High Court, Bihar.

   Why:

   The court stated that the state cannot ignore human suffering caused by errors in hospital documents.

   What it means:

   Officials must now process compensation claims fairly rather than rejecting them due to minor mistakes in paperwork.

   LiveLaw
2. News12 Oct 2026

   Important decision of Patna High Court on Covid compensation, compensation will be given even on the report of unauthorized labs.

   Explanation in simple terms

   What:

   The court ruled that families can receive Covid death payments even if the medical test came from unauthorized labs.

   Who:

   The Patna High Court is the judicial body making this decision regarding ex-gratia compensation claims.

   When:

   Reported on 12 Oct 2026.

   Where:

   Patna High Court, Bihar.

   Why:

   The court decided to accept these reports to ensure families receive financial help for Covid deaths.

   What it means:

   This change allows more families to qualify for government compensation by accepting test results from labs not previously authorized.

   Dainik Jagran