HC pulls up govt over delay in disbursing compensations

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The High Court has directed the State government to release Rs 5 crore to the Karnataka State Legal Services Authority (KSLSA) for the enforcement of ‘Victim Compensation Schemes’.

The Divisional Bench, headed by Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, was hearing a public interest litigation filed by the Peoples Movement Against Sexual Assault Model (PMASA), seeking directions to the government to implement appropriate guidelines for redressal of rape victims.

During the hearing, the court questioned the government on whether the court order dated Feb 19, 2020 to release the money to the legal services authority for adequate enforcement of the victims compensation scheme was adhered to.

Meanwhile, the KSLSA advocate informed the court that no money had been released by the government so far. To which, the state government advocate requested time to file a factual report in the matter.

The court, while granting time to report, directed the state government to release the money by January 24.

The court also warned that if the money is not released as per its order, then the principal secretary for Department of Women and Child Development has to appear before it in person, on the next date of hearing.

Previously, the Karnataka State Legal Services Authority had informed the High Court that Rs 20 crore is required for disbursement of compensation under the Victim Compensation Scheme for the year 2020-21. Accordingly, the High Court had directed the government to release one-fourth (Rs 5 crore) of the funds required by the Authority by March 31, 2020.

Relief for Surya

The High Court on Monday stayed the proceedings against Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya in a case pertaining to violation of model code of conduct during the 2019 General Elections.

The MP had approached the HC questioning the summons issued against him by the Magistrate Court, asking him to appear before the court in person on January 6.

The advocate representing Surya argued that both the lower court and the police did not follow the rules. Despite the alleged offence being non-cognizable, the Magistrate’s Court has issued summons to the petitioner, to appear in person.

The case pertains to the alleged distribution of pamphlets by Tejasvi Surya during the Lok Sabha polls in 2019, which did not bear publisher and publisher details, and the cost of the pamphlets was also not disclosed. Citing it as a violation of model code of conduct, a complaint was filed at the Siddapur police station demanding action against Tejasvi.

The complaint was forwarded to the Magistrate’s Court, which had ordered an investigation. Siddapur police have filed a chargesheet. Based on this, the Magistrate’s Court had taken cognizance of the matter and issued summons to the petitioner to appear in person on January 6.