2008 Mumbai attacks: Bombay HC seeks details on compensation

Mumbai: The Bombay high court on Thursday directed the Maharashtra government to submit details of compensation accorded to victims of blasts and other terror attacks in the state and file an affidavit in two weeks’ time.

A division bench of Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice M.S. Sonak sought the affidavit while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Rajeshwar Panchal. The lawyer sought judicial intervention of “Right to Life dealt with in Article 21 of the Indian Constitution” in relation to victims of terror attacks and bombings in the country. The petition sought that a just and fair amount be given as compensation to families of those killed in bomb blasts and terror attacks. The petition further sought that income of the deceased, social status of families and number of dependents be taken into account when deciding the amount of compensation.

In the past, it was argued before the court that it was the state’s “constitutional obligation” to compensate as it was a failure on the part of the state to perform its duty in guaranteeing Right to Life dealt with in Article 21 of the Constitution of India. Although government pleader, Abhinandan Vagyani, on Thursday submitted an affidavit stating that a sum of Rs 3 lakh had been distributed to victims of the November 26, 2008, terror attacks, the affidavit filed by deputy commissioner of police, Ashwini Sanap, claimed that the process of disbursing the compensation amount was still on.

The court however sought details of disbursement of compensation amount in all other blast cases in the recent past (after the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts).