New Delhi: From August 21, victims of various crimes, including rape, will get the compensation awarded to them by the legal services authority within 24 hours, the Delhi High Court on Wednesday said and directed the city government to ensure that the mechanism and funds are in place by then.
A bench of justices Badar Durrez Ahmed and Siddharth Mridul also pulled up the Delhi government for not having a victim compensation fund in place, though it was provided for under the Delhi Victim Compensation Scheme, notified in 2011.
It also termed "unacceptable and cumbersome" the initial method suggested by DSLSA and city government for disbursal of compensation during the interim period of three-six months for setting up the victim compensation fund (VCF).
Under the initial mode, till VCF was set up, disbursal of compensation after the same was awarded would take 10 days.
The court also expressed its displeasure over the delay in setting up the VCF and directed the fund be set up "within three months from today".
"Unfortunately, victim compensation fund has not been established despite its notification two years ago. There is no explanation coming forth for the delay.
"It has been indicated that process for creation of the fund would take three-six months. However, we have directed that it be set up in three months," the court said, adding "the interim suggested methodology according to us is cumbersome and unacceptable".
Later in the day, the Additional Secretary of Revenue had appeared before the court and had submitted an alternative mechanism that the court directed to be put into operation from August 21.
Delhi government's standing counsel Zubeda Begum informed the bench that under the alternative mechanism, the government will periodically transfer funds to Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA) which will be kept in the VCF account.
DSLSA will thereafter electronically transfer the amount of compensation to the victim within 24 hours of receiving the award handed down by district legal services authority (DLSA).
"Transfer of funds in first instance shall take place within one week from today. The method shall be in place from August 21. In other words, with effect from August 21, victims shall receive the funds within one day of communication of the award," the court said.
