The Delhi High Court today wanted to know from the AAP government whether there was any policy with regard to giving compensation to those who are let off or walk out of jail on bail.
A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar also referred to the case of a bus conductor who was initially accused of murdering Ryan International School student Pradhuman Thakur and recently got bail.
It asked as he is out on bail, and like him there are many, is there any policy to give them any compensation?
"If not, the government should think about it, as can you (Delhi government) tell me as to who will now give employment to the bus conductor. It is not only him, there are many who after being in custody are not able to maintain their families once they walk out of jail," the bench observed.
It even said that many do not have the capacity to approach the court for compensation and asked the government to think of formulating such a mechanism.
The court's random suggestion came during the hearing of a plea it has initiated on its own over the rise in sexual assault cases on minors and women.
The bench on September 14 took cognisance of a September 12 incident in which the driver of a black-yellow taxi allegedly offered lift to a woman and then sexually assaulted her.
The court on its own took note of a report in an English daily, titled 'Rape in cab brings back focus on blatant violation of norms'.
Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA) secretary Sanjeev Jain today placed a status report before the bench, saying interim compensation and legal aid has been provided to the victim and efforts to rehabilitate her are underway.
According to the news report, the 30-year-old taxi driver was arrested for allegedly raping the 23-year-old woman at a park near the Red Fort on September 12.
The woman alleged that the driver raped her on the pretext of dropping her at a bus stand from where she could go to Ludhiana.
The court has listed the matter for December 6.
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