High Court Directs Delhi Govt To Release 15.5 Crores To DSLSA For Meeting Compensation Claims Of Rape Victims

The Delhi High Court yesterday directed the Delhi Government to release a sum of Rs. 15.5 crores to Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA) within a period of 10 days in order to meet the compensation claims of rape victims.

Justice Jasmeet Singh was dealing with a bunch of pleas wherein a predecessor bench had sought to streamline the process of supplying FIRs pertaining to commission of sexual offences to DSLSA, for the purposes of granting interim compensation to the victims.

During the course of hearing on September 9, the Court had observed that the said funds for disbursement to rape victims had been exhausted by DSLSA.

The Court's attention was drawn to an order dated September 6, 2019 passed by a Division Bench of the High Court directing the Delhi Government to release a part of Victim Compensation Fund of not less than Rs. 25 crores to DSLSA within a period of 10 days.

Taking note of the aforesaid, the Court yesterday directed thus:

"On the same line of reasoning, it is directed that the Delhi Government shall release a sum of Rs. 15,50,00,000/- being second instalment to DLSA within 10 days from today in order to meet some of the claims of rape victims."

Previously, the Court had observed that Special Courts must, on their own, initiate action for grant of interim compensation to child victims at the earliest, without waiting for them to file an application for the same.

It had also sought details from the DSLSA regarding payment and non payment of compensation to victims in relation to the FIRs pertaining to sexual offences.

Earlier, the Delhi Police had informed the Court that all the Districts' DCPs were sensitized and necessary Standing Orders were issued so that the entire data with respect to the cases pertaining to sexual offences can be shared with DSLSA.

Previously, keeping in view that such default in sharing of data apropos is recurring in nature, the Court had sought measures to ensure that no victim is left without compensation or counselling.

Case Title: Umesh v. State (and other connected matters)

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