Delhi High Court Declines PIL Seeking Health Insurance for Lawyers’ Parents

The Delhi High Court has refused to entertain a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that sought inclusion of lawyers’ parents under the health insurance provided by the Delhi government’s advocate welfare scheme.

The PIL was filed by the First Generation Lawyers Association, which requested the Court to direct the government to extend health insurance benefits to the parents of advocates under the Chief Minister Advocate Welfare Scheme.

A Division Bench comprising Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia made it clear that the Court cannot issue directions that interfere with contractual terms. The Bench observed that the health insurance scheme operates through an agreement between the Delhi government and an insurance company, and such contractual arrangements cannot be altered through a writ of mandamus.

The Court remarked that even if a demand appears reasonable, judicial directions cannot be issued to modify the terms of a contract entered into by the government with a third party.

Under the existing Chief Minister Advocate Welfare Scheme, advocates and their families are covered by health insurance of up to ₹5 lakh. However, the definition of “family” under the scheme is limited to the advocate’s spouse and children below 25 years of age. Parents of advocates are not included, which formed the basis of the PIL.

During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner, Advocate Rudra Vikram Singh, stated that since the Court was not inclined to issue directions, the petitioner would withdraw the plea and instead submit a representation to the government seeking reconsideration of the issue.

Accepting this request, the Delhi High Court formally disposed of the PIL.