Allahabad HC Seeks Explanation From DM Over Non-Payment Of Compensation To Rape Victim Even After 2 Years

The Allahabad High Court has sought an explanation from the District Magistrate, Balrampur after a rape victim was not paid compensation even after more than two years.

The bench of Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice Manish Kumar also directed the District Magistrate, Balrampur to make an inquiry into the matter of victim's compensation scheme prevailing as on date in the state.

The Court cautioned that the officer will have to remain personally present in the Court in case of any slackness from the officer to complete inquiry and in filing response.

“In case of any slackness on the part of the District Magistrate, Balrampur to complete the inquiry and file his affidavit, he shall remain personally present in the Court alongwith the entire original record”, the Court said.

In this case, the District Probation Officer, Balrampur stated that the petitioner's claim under victim compensation scheme had been considered by the District Level Committee. However, the payment could not be transmitted in the account of the petitioner for the reason of merger of Bank.

Advocate Mohd. Kumail Haider appeared for the petitioner.

The Court noted that the contention in the written instructions was that the payment was though transmitted in the account of the petitioner but it was not transmitted on account of transitional circumstances.

The Court observed that no explanation was offered as to why necessary steps have not been taken after a period of more than two years.

The Court also noted that the District Probation Officer was trying to shift the responsibility on the prescribed authority Rani Lakshmi Bai Women and Child Welfare Scheme Yojana Bhawan Lucknow to assert that the entire responsibility for payment of compensation to the victims under the scheme in question is that of the prescribed authority.

“We, therefore, call upon the District Magistrate, Balrampur to make an inquiry into the matter of victim's compensation scheme prevailing as on date in the State of U.P and further to file his personal affidavit to explain as to why compensation has not been paid to the petitioner…”, the Court directed.

Cause Title- Xyz Victim v. State Of U.P

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