The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in the national capital was directed by the Delhi High Court to release Rs 15.5 crore to the Delhi Legal Service Authority (DLSA) for disbursing compensation to rape victims.
The Single-Judge Bench of Justice Jasmeet Singh passed the order on bail petitions of three people, who were accused of sexually assaulting a minor. The verdict followed the submission made by DLSA before the court, stating that funds for disbursement to rape victims have been exhausted.
Earlier in September, a Division Bench of the High Court had directed the Delhi government to release a part of the victim compensation fund, not less than Rs 25 crore, to DLSA within 10 days from passing of the order.
Justice Singh on Tuesday directed the Delhi government to release Rs 15.5 crore as second installment to DLSA within 10 days from the passing of this order.
Earlier, the same Bench had observed that instead of waiting for an application by the victim before granting interim compensation, the special courts dealing with cases of sexual assault on children should initiate action at the earliest.
The special courts were further directed by the High Court to inform the victims about their right to move an application under the Delhi Victim Compensation Scheme, when the case came up for hearing.