Khwaja Yunus case: Mother demands unpaid compensation

Asiya Begum, mother of Ghatkopar blast accused who allegedly died in cop custody, sends notice to home department.

The family of Ghatkopar blast accused Khwaja Yunus, who allegedly died in police custody, is still awaiting compensation, despite a court directive to the state government earlier this year.

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Yunus’ mother, Asiya Begum, has sent a legal notice to the state government’s home department, which is yet to pay the enhanced compensation amount of Rs 20 lakh, as ordered by the Bombay high court.

Begum, through her lawyer Mihir Desai, sent the notice last month, seeking the remaining Rs17 lakh — the amount enhanced by the high court on April 10. The state had given the family Rs 3 lakh last year.

Taking into consideration the ‘tremendous mental trauma’ suffered by Yunus’ family following his death, along with the fact that he was the sole breadwinner of the family, the court had granted compensation of Rs 20 lakh to be paid by the government within eight weeks. The amount would be recovered by the policemen charged in the case, based on the verdict of their trial.

Desai said that the state has not replied to the notice yet. “We will move a contempt petition soon if they fail to pay the remaining amount,” Desai said.

Assistant sub-inspector Sachin Waze, constable Rajendra Tiwari, constable and driver Rajaram Nikam and constable Sunit Desai attached to the crime branch in 2002 have been chargesheeted for murder, disappearance of evidence and wrongful confinement.

The court has, however, declined to direct granting of sanction against seven of 11 police officers against whom Asiya Begum had sought prosecution.