In a significant decision taken on Wednesday, September 5, the Supreme Court approved the National legal Services Authority’s compensation scheme under which women victims of sexual assault be granted minimum of Rs 4 lakh and maximum Rs 7 lakh. The top court ruled that it will also extend to minor victims till a government scheme in is framed.
The mandate pronounced by a three judge bench including Justice Madan Lokur, Deepak Gupta and Abdul Nazeer, came in after the PIL was filed following Nirbhaya Case, seeking immediate compensation for victims of sexual assault.
As per the order, judges will have inherent powers to order compensation to victism of sexual assault along with punishment to the victims.
The scheme, to be launched on October 2, will be applicable across India. All trial courts will now apply the scheme when hearing rape cases.
