HC comes to rescue of rape victim

The Punjab government’s proposed victim compensation scheme earned it severe criticism today. Admonishing the state for offering pittance of a compensation to a rape victim and having a fixed amount of compensation for each rape victim not depending on the facts and circumstances of a case,Justice Surya Kant today took the Punjab government to task.

The dressing down was given during the resumed hearing of a petition wherein Justice Surya Kant had directed the state to offer a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to a rape victim and her minor child. Not only did the state today express reluctance to award the compensation,it also requested the court to “review” its decision. To top it all,as against the amount of Rs 10 lakh,the state counsel submitted that as per the proposed victim compensation scheme,only an amount of Rs 30,000 can be offered. The state also opposed the court’s proposal of offering a government job to the rape victim.

Expressing its strong disgust and anguish over the paltry amount offered,Justice Surya Kant remarked that compensation shall be offered to a victim depending on the facts and circumstances of the case. Justice Kant remarked that Rs 30,000 will be the minimum amount to be offered as compensation to a rape victim.