Compensate 2002 communal riots victims fast: Gujarat high court

A division bench of the Gujarat high court has directed the state and the central governments to take a decision regarding releasing funds to give compensation to the victims of the 2002 communal riots in the state. The court also asked the state government to maintain a sympathetic approach towards the job applications moved by the kin of govt employee killed in the riots.

The bench, headed by chief justice SJ Mukhopadhya, issued the directions on Wednesday, as the state government informed the court about an additional 752 cases of residential damage that occurred during the riots, in addition to the cases registered earlier. The state government also said that it awaits funds from the centre.

Meanwhile, Pankaj Champaneri, additional solicitor general, submitted before the bench that they've put forth a proposal of Rs87.75 crore from the budgetary provision, and it awaits a nod. The state government has already disbursed compensation in 1163 cases of death and 2548 cases of injury after the central government released funds of Rs262 crore.

However, it prepared an additional list for three districts - Ahmedabad, Dahod and Sabarkantha, regarding damage to residential property. The victims in question are yet to be compensated. The bench was hearing a petition filed by Gagan Sethi, a member of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), through his counsel Amit Panchal.