Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Tuesday frowned at the Centre over its delay in replying to a petition by the mother of Agniveer Murali Naik (25), who was killed during Operation Sindoor in Poonch district, Jammu & Kashmir.A bench led by Justice Ravindra Ghuge was hearing a petition filed by Jyothibai Naik seeking equal posthumous benefits, including pension and welfare measures, for ‘Agniveers’ on par with regular soldiers who die in the line of duty. Naik died on May 9, 2025. The judges pointed out that HC had issued notice to the respondent, including the Ministry of Defence, on Jan 17.The Centre’s advocate urged for four weeks time to file the reply. But the judges found the request “to be a bit inconsiderate.” They directed the reply to be filed by May 7, warning “if not, heavy costs.” Posting the hearing on June 18, they also directed the state govt to file its reply.
