26/11 terror attack: Wife of slain MV Kuber sailor moves HC for ‘proper’ compensation

The wife of one of the slain sailors of trawler MV Kuber, which was hijacked by the Pakistan-based terrorists, including Ajmal Kasab, for reaching Mumbai to execute a terror attack on November 26, 2008, has moved a petition before the Gujarat High Court seeking compensation. She has said that more than seven years have passed since the incident and therefore under the law her husband is presumed to be dead and therefore, ‘proper’ compensation be given to her since.

After hearing the case, justice Rajesh H Shukla issued notices to central and state government agencies returnable on November 8. The petition has been moved by Jashiben whose husband Ramesh Bambhania was among the five sailors who were captured by the terrorists. The plea mentioned, “Bambhania now can be presumed to be dead as per the law of the land, and therefore before 26.11.2016 they perhaps have legitimate right to claim compensation and other amount of insurance…”

Bambhania was a fisherman and a sailor in MV Kuber trawler along with four others who were killed by a group of terrorists. The petition says, quoting media reports, that only one body was found in the boat and his family was given due compensation to tune of Rs 5 lakh.

Since body of Bambhania and three others were not found their relatives were not awarded compensation. The petition mentions that Rs 50,000 was paid from the funds of the Chief Minister back in 2008 and beyond that nothing was given to her who has four children to look after.