“Today Is Women’s Day, At Least From This Day Onward, State Must Do Something Constructive For Victims": Bombay HC

Govt Compensation To Victims Of Sexual Assault, Acid Attacks Shameful: Bombay High Court.

“Today is Women’s Day, At least from this day onward, State must do something constructive for Victims".

These were the words used by Chief Justice Manjula Chellur while hearing a petition filed by the mother of a 14-year-old rape victim. The victim was granted Rs. 2-lakh compensation by the state under the Manodhairya scheme after a petition was filed.

Under the said scheme, victims of sexual assault and rape are granted Rs 2 lakh, while acid attack victims are given Rs 3 lakh as compensation.

Petitioner’s advocate Dayanada Mahajan informed the court that compensation in Goa is Rs 10 lakh and while the Maharashtra government offers only Rs 2 lakh.

The court observed that Rs 2 lakh given to the victim was “shameful, a mere formality”, and it ought to be increased. Also, the amount is “measly” if the expenses in a city like Mumbai are considered.

"The state government has money for everything except this," the bench said.

Under the Manodhairya Scheme, victims are entitled to rehabilitation apart from compensation. In an affidavit, the state government stated that till February 2015, there were eight cases of acid attack and the said scheme provided Rs.3 lakh for each of the victims and legal assistance, apart from free consultations with psychiatrists appointed by the state government.

The bench directed the state government to place HC orders as well as relevant orders and judgments passed by the apex court on this issue before the Chief Secretary so that a “laudable decision can be made in four weeks”.