#Covid-19

The Commission held that government-fixed COVID-19 treatment package rates are composite and cover PPE kits, consultant fees, and nursing charges, ruling that insurers cannot apply room rent or ICU sub-limits to make piecemeal deductions from these bundled amounts. This decision safeguards policyholders from insurers fragmenting inclusive package rates to reduce claim payouts.

The Calcutta High Court held that COVID-19 limitation relaxations cannot revive suits time-barred pre-pandemic, dismissing an appeal delayed by 2179 days and ruling that unsubstantiated age/ill-health claims lack sufficient cause under Section 5 Limitation Act.

The commission ordered the hotel to refund the consumer’s Rs 16.12 lakh advance, plus interest, compensation and costs, because the promised postponement could not override the contract’s cancellation clause. This ruling reinforces that any advance must be returned when the agreed service is not performed, safeguarding consumers in hotel and event bookings.

Bombay HC rules Mira-Bhayandar Municipal Corporation must reimburse Rs. 3.37 crore for erecting a COVID-19 center despite technical defects in the agreement. The ruling underscores municipal liability for public health obligations even where procedural flaws exist in contractual execution.

The Bombay High Court ruled that families of frontline workers who died from Covid-19 are entitled to compassionate employment and ₹50 lakh ex-gratia even without a positive RTPCR test, if death is certified by medical professionals under pandemic protocols. This sets a critical precedent for public sector employers to prioritize clinical and administrative evidence over rigid testing requirements during public health emergencies.