New Delhi: Man Settles Disability Compensation After Two Decades of Legal Battle
After nearly two decades of legal battle, local resident of New Delhi, Mohd. Arif Khan, has finally reached a settlement regarding his disability compensation case, finally bringing closure to a challenging chapter of his life.
The 40-year-old met with an accident on 29th October 2005, while he was on his way to Gurgaon. He was going to present Diwali gifts from his then employer to a client. He suffered severe head injuries due to the said accident, and had been immediately rushed to the AIIMS, New Delhi. From there, he was shifted to Max Hospital, on 17.11.2005.
Khan was declared 70% disabled by medical experts at the age of 29 that left him unable to work. Following the incident, he applied for disability compensation in 2014 before the concerned labor court.
However, what should have been a straightforward process, quickly became a long an arduous legal battle as his claim application was dismissed by the concerned Labor Court, Pushpa Bhawan, New Delhi. His plea was dismissed citing technical grounds of delay in filing the claim. Arif Khan approached the court through a writ petition 2016, and finally settled with the respondents on 24th September 2024.
“I never imagined it would take this long,” Arif Khan said in an emotional statement. “There were days when I felt like giving up, but I knew I had to fight for what was right”, he added.
Khan’s advocate, Aashish George, reflected on the case’s complexities. “It’s rare to see a case stretch on for nearly two decades,” he noted. “Arif’s perseverance has been remarkable, and this settlement is a testament to his strength and resilience.”
The settlement, reached earlier this month, will provide Arif Khan with a significant financial award, which will be used by him to support his medical expenses. The total amount of the settlement has not been disclosed, but it is expected to provide Khan with the closure he has sought for many years.
As Arif Khan looks ahead to a brighter future, he remains hopeful that his story will inspire others to persevere in their own battles for justice
