Supreme Court Issues Notice On Plea For States To Follow NALSA's Victim Compensation Scheme For Sexual Assault Survivors

The Supreme Court of India on Friday issued notice to the states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, and Bihar on a petition filed by the Social Action Forum (SAF) seeking all States to follow NALSA's Compensation Scheme for Women Victims/Survivors of Sexual Assault/other Crimes, 2018. The matter was heard by a bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, Justice PS Narasimha, and Justice JB Pardiwala. 

At the outset, Advocate Jyotika Kalra, appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner was engaged with survivors of sexual violence. She provided the bench with a list of 21 survivors of sexual violence whom the petitioner had supported. She said–

"There is a scheme by NALSA- the victim compensation scheme. The scheme provides with a lot of things such as quantum of compensation. What we have found is that the minimum compensation for such victims is five lakhs as per NALSA. Whereas, in UP the maximum compensation is for three lakhs. In Madhya Pradesh also the maximum compensation is three lakhs. The Supreme Court in Nitin Saxena had clearly stated that the scheme has to be followed in letter and spirit by all states."

The petitioner stated that they had impleaded four states – Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, and Bihar and that other states could also be added. CJI Chandrachud, while issuing notice in the matter stated – 

"We will presently issue notice to these states only. Later it can be expanded."

Case Title: Social action forum for Manav kumar v UOI & Ors W.P.(Crl.) No. 514/2022 X

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