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7. In 2021, prior to the expiry of the Group Term Insurance Policy, the Law Department requested LIC to continue the same policy with effect from 20th November, 2021, however, LIC refused to do so under the existing terms and conditions, as well as premium rates. Under these circumstances, the BCD approached this Court through W.P.(C) 13010/2021 titled Bar Council of Delhi v. Govt. of NCT of Delhi seeking necessary directions to ensure continuation of the Group Term Insurance Policy. In this regard, the Court on 18th November 2021, directed extension of the policy in favour of the existing members on a pro-rata basis for one month, while the Law "EPIC"

Department and LIC engaged in negotiations over the premium rates and other terms and conditions of the Group (Term) Life Insurance Policy. Thereafter, the policy which taken in the year 2020 was extended upto 19th October, 2022, and thus only the existing beneficiaries who had applied in the year 2020 were covered by the said policy. At the expiry of this period, a new policy was taken by Respondent No. 1, commencing from 20th October, 2022 to 19th October 2023. At present, the current Group (Term) Insurance Policy is applicable for the period of 20th October, 2023 to 19th October, 2024 and covers about 27,218 advocates.

16. The Petitioner's contention regarding the exclusion of Late Mr. Kamal Khurana from the Group (Term) Life Insurance policy while he was included in the Group Medical Insurance policy is factually correct, but does not advance their case. These two policies were distinct in their nature, scope, and coverage periods. The Group Medical Insurance policy, which provided coverage for eligible advocates and their families, was operational for the period from 16th May, 2023, to 15th May, 2024, and Late Mr. Khurana was included as a beneficiary under this scheme. However, the Group (Term) Insurance policy was a separate scheme which provided life insurance cover and it had its own set of eligibility criteria and timelines. For the period from 20th October, 2022, to 19th October, 2023, the eligible beneficiaries were verified and included in the policy, and Late Mr. Khurana was not among them due to non-completion of the requisite verification process. Furthermore, while Late Mr. Khurana applied for inclusion under the subsequent Group (Term) Insurance policy following the notice issued on 14th March 2023, his unfortunate demise on 02nd August, 2023 occurred before the commencement of the new policy which was finalized only in October 2023. Therefore, the delay alleged by the Petitioner in terms of payment of the premium for the Group (Term) Insurance policy is unfounded, as no procedural lapse or delay can be attributed to the Respondents. The timeline reflects the natural course of finalizing such policies, including completing the verification of eligible beneficiaries and other necessary formalities.

17. In sum, the inclusion of Late Mr. Khurana under the medical insurance policy does not automatically imply eligibility or inclusion under the life insurance policy, given the distinct nature of these schemes and their respective coverage periods. The exclusion of Late Mr. Khurana from the earlier Group (Term) Insurance policy, and his subsequent inclusion in the next cycle upon application, was consequent to verification of his credentials. The verification of enrolment with the Delhi Bar Council, along with other requisite credentials, was a clear and necessary condition for inclusion under the scheme. Even though Mr. Khurana applied under CMAWS in the year 2023 on the basis of the notice dated 14th March, 2023, the Group (Term) Insurance policy bearing No. GINP/103011595 was taken from LIC only in the month of October, 2023 for the period from 20 th October, 2023 to 19th October, 2024 whereas, Mr. Khurana's death occurred on 02nd August, 2023, 79 days prior to the starting date of the policy. Insurance coverage is inherently contingent upon the activation of the policy, which, in this case, occurred after the unfortunate event.