HC asks AG to be present for hearings on Manodhairya

Mumbai: The Bombay high court has directed Maharashtra advocate general Ashutosh Kumbhakoni to be present in all hearings related to the implementation of the Manodhairya scheme. The scheme had been challenged by petitioners claiming that it had a lot lacunae — like the Manodhairya compensation scheme for rape victims makes documents like Aadhaar and others mandatory. The petitioners claimed that the new amendments to the policy affected by the state recently has made it difficult for the victims to claim compensation. The court told the AG that the issue was akin to the Metro case as a lot of victims are affected by the case.

A division bench of Chief Justice Dr Manjula Chellur and Justice N.M. Jamdar while hearing a bunch of public interest litigations pertaining to the amendments to the Manodhairya scheme which is intended to provide compensation to rape and acid attack victims had expressed displeasure at the way in which the scheme was being implemented. The court had chided the state for not applying its mind and only looking at the monetary aspect.

On Friday, the court directed the AG that the Manodhairya scheme as important as other matters and hence his presence during the hearing was necessary. Mr Kumbhakoni agreed and consented to be present regularly during subsequent hearings.