The Delhi High Court today directed the city government to release Rs 10 crore within a week for the victim compensation fund, created after the December 16 gangrape case, which has been starved of resources.
A bench of justices S Ravindra Bhat and Yogesh Khanna noted the submission of Delhi Legal Service Authority (DLSA) that over 300 claims were pending due to shortage of funds and asked the government to ensure that the amount is released within seven days in any case.
"The Delhi government is directed to ensure that Rs 10 crore amount is released to the fund in any case within a week from today," the bench said.
During the hearing, DLSA secretary Sanjiv Jain, amicus curiae Meera Bhatia and Delhi Commission for Women chairperson Swati Maliwal informed the court that there are no funds to give compensation to the victims of crimes against women, including rape.
The court noted DLSA secretary's statement that the fund was starved of money while 308 claims were pending and hence there was an urgent need to satisfy the demand.
Senior standing counsel for Delhi government Rahul Mehra submitted that Rs 40 crore will be soon made available for the fund and the Delhi Cabinet is going to clear it in a week.
The court was hearing a PIL initiated by it after the December 16, 2012 gangrape in a moving bus in Delhi.
The court has been giving directions in the matter from time to time with regard to improving crime investigation and protection of women in Delhi.
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