What did the doctor's widow say that made the Supreme Court angry at the Uttarakhand government, and said- pay Rs 1 crore including interest:

The case of Dr. Sunil Kumar, a paediatrician in Uttarakhand who was tragically shot dead while on duty in 2016, became a significant legal and political issue. Dr. Sunil Kumar was killed in Jaspur, where he had been working as a doctor at a community health centre. His widow, Sarita Singh, sought justice and compensation for her husband's death. The Uttarakhand government initially promised a compensation of ₹50 lakh, but only ₹1 lakh was disbursed, and the additional compensation promised was not provided.

Sarita Singh took the matter to court, seeking due compensation for the untimely death of her husband. The Uttarakhand High Court, in a ruling from 2018, ordered the state government to pay her ₹1.99 crore as compensation, which included interest and other financial benefits. Despite the ruling, the state government delayed making the payment.

In March 2025, the case reached the Supreme Court, which was angered by the continuous delay and the government's failure to comply with the court's orders. Sarita Singh, in her plea to the Supreme Court, expressed her frustration at the government’s neglect. She pointed out that her family had been left in a state of financial and emotional distress while fighting for what was rightfully owed to them.

The Supreme Court was particularly displeased with how the Uttarakhand government had handled the case. The Court reprimanded the state for not adhering to the directions issued by the High Court and expressed deep concern over the delay in justice. Sarita Singh's statement highlighted the government’s failure to recognize the sacrifices made by her husband, a public servant who was killed while serving the community.

In light of this prolonged injustice, the Supreme Court directed the Uttarakhand government to pay ₹1 crore to Sarita Singh, including interest, as a settlement. This decision came after years of legal battles, where the widow’s persistent struggle for justice reflected a lack of urgency on the part of the state to fulfill its obligations.

This case highlighted the larger issue of the state's negligence towards the families of public servants who die in the line of duty. The Supreme Court’s intervention underscored the importance of timely and adequate compensation for such sacrifices, making it clear that delayed justice would not be tolerated. The Uttarakhand government was ordered to pay the amount promptly, sending a strong message regarding the government’s duty towards its citizens, especially the families of those who lose their lives serving the public.