The Bombay High Court on Tuesday criticised the Centre for not responding to a petition filed by the mother of an Agniveer seeking equal posthumous benefits. The court warned that it may impose heavy costs if a reply is not filed soon.

A bench of Justices Ravindra Ghuge and Hiten Venegaonkar granted time till May 6 for the Centre to submit its affidavit. The plea was filed by the mother of Murali Naik, who died during Operation Sindoor last year.