Families of blast victims meet Sheila Dikshit, say compensation inadequate

"I have a small kid. What will I do with the money? I'd rather have means to support my family," cried Rajni Buxi, wife of Mridul Buxi, who went to meet the Delhi chief minister on Monday. Mridul Buxi was injured in the Delhi high court blast last week.

"I have a small kid. What will I do with the money? I'd rather have means to support my family," cried Rajni Buxi, wife of Mridul Buxi, who went to meet the Delhi chief minister on Monday. Mridul Buxi was injured in the Delhi high court blast last week.

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They were accompanied by the families of seven other blast victims, who are admitted at Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital.

More than 15 people met the chief minister along with Ashok Randhawa, a social worker, demanding rehabilitation instead of the meagre amount given as compensation.

"Most of these victims were the only earning members of their families. I have two small kids to support now. My husband is in the ICU and doctors say he will take about a year to recover. How will I survive with just one lakh rupees," said Jaspal Kaur, wife of Tarshem Singh.

The CM reportedly offered all possible help from the government. "She promised to personally visit the hospital with the SDM to correct the amount and extend all possible help," said Randhawa.

Meanwhile, six more people were discharged on Monday from RML Hospital, where most victims of the Delhi high court blast were taken.

Of a total 56 injured, 17 are still undergoing treatment at the hospital.

For the families of these 17 victims every day is a struggle, their hearts skipping a beat every time the guards shouts a bed number.

"We do not know how much time it will take for him to recover fully. Doctors are not saying much, though we know they are doing their best. But this wait is killing us," said Vineet Buxi, brother of Mridul Buxi (34), who is in the ICU for a severe head injury, broken legs and ruptured intestines.

The youngest of the four siblings, wedding photographer Mukesh Kumar (33) is recovering on bed number 10 of the ground floor recovery room.

Kumar’s lower right leg is badly damaged. Though the doctors have managed to repair the blood vessels, they said it may take at least a couple of years for the wound to heal completely after a reconstructive surgery.

"We have not divulged his actual condition to our mother, as he was the closest to her. She is old and will not be able to take it," said Preeti Bhasin, his sister.