PIL for more compensation for rape victims rejected

Mumbai: The Bombay high court on Thursday disposed a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking that the compensation to victims of rape and similar offences be increased. The court disposed of the petition after directing the Maharashtra government to notify the revised Manodhairya scheme. The Manodhairya Yojna was launched in October 2013, and under it the state government gives a compensation of Rs 3 lakh to victims. Under the revised scheme it has been increased to Rs 10 lakh.

While hearing a bunch of petitions on the issue of victims suffering from women-related offences, the high court in the past had suggested that the Maharashtra government follow the footsteps of the Goa government, which awards compensation of up to Rs 10 lakh.

Later, the court had formed a committee with two judges and bureaucrats from the state’s women and child department to evolve a model scheme. The proposed scheme offers compensation of Rs 10 lakh to victims in rape cases where the victim is mentally challenged or incurs permanent physical or mental disability, in gang-rape cases, acid attacks cases and for minor victims of sexual assaults.

For the offence of rape that results in death of the victim, the legal heir would get Rs 10 lakh under revised scheme.