Allahabad High Court Orders Action Against Officials Over Delay In Minor Rape Survivor's Compensation; Directs ₹2 Lakh Additional Relief

A Bench of Justice Shekhar B Saraf and Justice Prashant Kumar observed that the very purpose of the State's compensation scheme [Uttar Pradesh Rani Lakshmi Bai Mahila Samman Kosh] to offer immediate financial and emotional relief to victims of sexual assault, stood defeated due to 'egregious procrastination' by the officials.

The Court was hearing a writ petition filed by a minor rape survivor, through her father, seeking directions to the authorities for disbursal of compensation under the UP Rani Lakshmi Bai Mahila Samman Kosh Rules 2015.

The incident occurred on May 8, 2025 and the FIR was lodged on the same day. The charge sheet was filed on June 25, 2025. Thereafter, the statutory obligation on the State to release compensation under the 2015 Rules arose.

The Court noted that as per Annexure-1 of the 2015 Rules, a rape victim is entitled to a total of ₹3 lakh, to be disbursed in two installments, ₹1 lakh within 15 days of filing the charge sheet and the remaining ₹2 lakh within one month.

"It is clear that in the instant matter the charge sheet had been filed on June 25, 2025 and the entire payment of Rs.3 lakhs should have been made within a period of one month from that date in two installments", the Bench said.

However, the Court termed it as 'astounding' that no payment had been made even by September 9, 2025, when the victim was 'forced' to file the present writ petition merely to claim what was lawfully hers.

Appearing for the State, the counsel submitted that on September 14, 2025, five days after the petition was filed, the officials sought the victim's bank details, which were provided on October 16, 2025.

Yet, the Court noted, as of October 27, 2025, when the case was heard, not a single penny has been received by the petitioner/victim.

Expressing its inability to comprehend such 'apathy' of the statutory authorities, the Bench observed thus:

"The entire purpose of providing the compensation to the victims of such a gruesome crime is that the pain of the victim can be soothed urgently and the financial exigency relating to medical treatment may be addressed immediately".

The Court further remarked that victims of rape not only endure physical pain and anguish but also suffer severe mental trauma, and that delay in payment under such beneficial legislation "adds to the agony and exacerbates the pain and suffering".

"The fact that the victim has to further incur costs to file a writ petition for obtaining the compensation that she is entitled to under the law augments the very ordeal that the victim has suffered", the Court added.

Thus holding the responsible officials accountable, the Bench said that accountability must be fastened upon those whose negligence deprived the minor victim of timely relief.

Terming the inaction as 'reprehensible', the Court imposed costs on the erring officials as it directed thus:

"Accordingly, the respondent no.2 is directed to make payment of Rs.3 lakhs (if not already made) within a period of 3 days from date. Furthermore, Rs.2 lakhs to be paid within 15 days as additional compensation for the inordinate delay in making payment to the victim".

Significantly, the Court gave the State Government liberty to recover the additional ₹2 lakh from the concerned officials responsible for the delay and to initiate departmental proceedings against them.