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Explain how you fix compensation for rape victims, Bombay High Court to Maharashtra government

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The Bombay High Court has ordered the state government to explain the criteria by which it decides on the compensation for victims of sexual assault.

"In an acid attack case you can quantify the amount based on the injuries suffered by the person, but in rape cases how do you do this? Do you decide according to the gravity of the offence, or on the basis of the heinousness of the act committed?" judges Naresh Patil and Anuja Prabhudessai said on Tuesday.

The division bench was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by the Forum Against Oppression of Women, a non-governmental organisation which has petitioned the court on the lack of financial aid for women who suffered sexual assault.

The judges asked the state to reply by Thursday.

The state government had in September 2013 declared the Manodhairya yojana, according to which victims of sexual assault are to be given a compensation ranging from Rs50,000 to Rs3 lakh. But the NGO has said that the scheme was not being implemented properly.

The court was informed that to get the compensation, the victim had to visit the police station where the offence was registered and fill by the relevant forms.

The judges reacted saying, "It is an insult to the victim if she has to come to the police station. It has to be the responsibility of the police to visit the victim's house and apprise her about the scheme and complete the necessary formalities."

Under the Manodhairya scheme, the victims of rape and child abuse are to be provided financial, medical and legal aid, and rehabilitation and counselling.


 

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