SC tells Chandigarh to pay Rs 50 lakh to 20 rape victims by November-end

Centre, which was earlier told to release compensation, told court UTs, states have to arrange it on their own.

After the UT failed to provide the pending compensation to 20 rape victims, the Supreme Court on Thursday directed the administration to ensure the amount is released to the state legal services authority (SLSA), Chandigarh, by November 30.

According to an affidavit submitted before the apex court on September 22, the due amount stands at ₹1.29 crore. However, the apex court has ordered the release of Rs 50 lakh. (HT File)

Status report on minor’s rape submitted

Chandigarh state legal services authority member secretary Mahavir Singh also submitted a status report in the 10-year-old’s rape case. He informed the court that the DNA of the victim’s younger maternal uncle matched with that of her newborn’s and the trial court has framed charges against the accused. The apex court has asked for a final report in this case by November 9

According to an affidavit submitted before the apex court on September 22, the due amount stands at ₹1.29 crore. However, the apex court has ordered the release of Rs 50 lakh.

The Centre last month told the Supreme Court (SC) bench of justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta that it will release the compensation amount to the SLSA within two weeks. However, during the hearing in the case on Thursday, additional solicitor general of India Pinki Anand said that when the compensation scheme was introduced in 2012, it was made clear that the Centre will provide the money only once, after which the states and UTs were to make their own arrangements.

Following this, the apex court directed the UT administration, represented by advocate Kamakshi S Mehwal, to pay the amount. “The Chandigarh administration will sanction further amount of Rs 50 lakh towards victim compensation scheme to the SLSA, Chandigarh, by November 30,” reads the order.

SLSA member secretary Mahavir Singh confirmed the development. He had earlier pointed out in the status report to the SC that there was a shortage of funds under the UT’s Victim Assistance Scheme, 2012, which comes under the Consolidated Fund of India.