In Brief
Residents of Kasaragod district in Kerala, poisoned by the toxic pesticide Endosulfan, moved a contempt petition after the State failed to implement the Supreme Court's 2017 order directing compensation of Rs 5 lakhs per victim and improved medical facilities. Five years later, only eight petitioners who filed contempt proceedings received compensation. The Court held the State's inaction was a continuing violation of the right to life under Article 21, awarded additional costs of Rs 50,000 per petitioner, and ordered monthly monitoring to ensure urgent disbursement and adequate medical care within reasonable distance of victims' homes.
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