Delhi HC unhappy over delay in compensation to rape victims

The Delhi High Court Wednesday expressed strong displeasure over the delay of four to six months in providing compensation to rape victims under the Delhi Victims Compensation Scheme 2011.

A bench of Justice B.D. Ahmed and Justice Siddharth Mridul said: “The victims ought to be compensated immediately once the award is fixed by the Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DLSA).”
The court took note of a suggestion made by advocate Meera Bhatia who appeared for the rape victims that a single-window system should be adopted to hand over the money.

Under the current scheme, the DLSA is the sanctioning authority which decides the quantum of compensation to be awarded on the basis of medical expenses incurred on treatment, minimum amount required for rehabilitation depending on the facts of the case, said Bhatia.

The Delhi government has not been able to disburse the amount for the past four months, she added.

The bench asked the DLSA to meet the division commissioner of the Delhi government and work out the modalities to make available a payment mechanism where each legal services authority office is empowered to award and compensate the victims under a single window system.

The court also expressed dissatisfaction over the delay in inducting additional personnel in Delhi Police.

“There is a dire need for additional forces in Delhi Police and we are of the view that the government should not hold back on this aspect,” the bench said, rejecting the Centre’s submission that the delay was due to change in government.

Meanwhile, Delhi Police informed the court that it has already sent a recommendation to the central government of creating 14,869 additional posts in the force.