Maharashtra may hike rape victim compensation to Rs 10 lakh

Mumbai: The state government on Wednesday informed the Bombay high court (HC) that acting on the court’s suggestion, the state has mooted a proposal to hike the compensation given to victims of rape, sexual assault and acid attack from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 10 lakh under the Manodhairya Yojna, depending on the nature of offence.

The court in the past had reprimanded the Maharashtra government for keeping compensation at Rs 3 lakh which according to court was abysmally low.

Additional government pleader Abhay Patki on Wednesday informed the division bench headed by Chief Justice of the Bombay high court that the policy decision proceedings have already been initiated to enhance the victim compensation up to Rs 10 lakh. Mr Patki sought six week’s time to place on record, the final decision of the government. The HC bench gave time till June 12 to place on record the state government’s decision.

Apart from the monetary compensation, the government also provides counselling, vocational or educational training to the victims under the Manodhairya scheme.

Recently, the HC had termed the state’s Manodhairya Yojna “insulting, inhumane and shameful” after a 14-year-old rape survivor had approached the court seeking compensation of Rs 3 lakh under the scheme. The girl was provided only Rs 2 lakh as compensation by the government after the victim had filed the petition in October 2016. The victim had to approach the HC because the government had refused to grant her compensation under the scheme on the ground that the petitioner had allegedly consensual sex. The HC had reprimanded the government, raising questions if the government was of the view that the survivor, a minor, was mature enough to give her consent.

The compensation was provided to the victim on the HC’s direction. During the hearing, the court had pointed out to the Maharashtra government that a tiny state like Goa was giving Rs 10 lakh as compensation to victims. The HC had suggested that the state government should also increase the compensation amount.