Chennai, Dec. 17 -- Invoking Manu Smriti and Arthashastra on the duty of a ruler to protect his subjects, the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court has directed the union Government to frame a policy to extend necessary legal aid to Indian citizens working abroad.
Passing orders on a petition by one Malarvizhi of Virudhunagar district, whose husband Ayyappan Marimuthu had died in Cameroon four years ago, Justice GR Swaminathan held that the Centre is constitutionally bound to step in to secure compensation for the family of the deceased.
Where citizens employed abroad are unable to secure their rights, the Government of India should assist in securing them, the judge observed.
To substantiate his ruling, the judge had quoted from Manu Smrit...