HC: Bring all schemes for victims of sexual assault under one authority
25 Aug, 2014Hearing a petition filed by 50 women advocates of the Karnataka High Court Bar Association, the High Court directed that all schemes meant for the benefit of sexual assault victims should be brought under a single authority. The petitioners had alleged that the Home Department and the Karnataka State Legal Service Authority (KSLSA) had failed to put into practice the scheme notified by the Home department for providing compensation to the victims of rape and sexual assault.
Justice Ashok B Hinchigeri adjourned the hearing and issued directions to the women advocates, KSLSA and the government to draft guidelines and formulate an action plan for rehabilitating the victims.The petitioners relied on information obtained using the Right to Information (RTI) route which showed that even though Rs. 1 crore has been allocated every year for the scheme since 22012, only Rs. 25 lakhs was utilised while Rs. 2.75 crore has lapsed. The state government informed that Rs. 50 lakh has been released as compensation and another Rs. 50 lakh is likely to be released within the next 15 days.
The condition of the victims of sexual assault would be no different in other states of the country. There is a need to ensure that all measure are taken to rehabilitate such victims quickly. Would other states take a lead in this regard?
For earlier article on the issue, please refer to the link - http://www.rtifoundationofindia.com/karnataka-hc-seeks-reply-regarding-scheme-compensa#.U_qXdcWSwlA