After Bombay high court prod, state OKs Rs 1 crore for slain Army hero’s family

The Maharashtra government, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, has sanctioned Rs 1 crore as special compensation for the family of Major Anuj Sood. The decision came after the Bombay High Court expressed concern. Major Sood was martyred in a counterinsurgency operation on May 2, 2020. His widow, Aakriti, will receive Rs 60 lakh and a monthly allowance of Rs 9,000. The remaining Rs 40 lakh is allocated to his father. Aakriti's petition to the High Court highlighted that as a Shaurya Chakra awardee, Major Sood's family is entitled to certain benefits, including a monthly allowance, as per government resolutions from 2019 and 2020. The court's scrutiny prompted the state cabinet's approval of the financial aid to Major Sood's family.