Deposit ₹3.60 Crores In Court: Bombay High Court Tells Maha Govt Over Non-Payment Of Compensation To Victims Of Human Rights Violations
The Bombay High Court last week ordered the Maharashtra Government to deposit an amount of Rs 3.60 crores with the Court towards the non-payment of compensation to victims of human right violations, as ordered by the Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (MSHRC).
A division bench of Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam Ankhad ordered the State to deposit the amount with the Court and also ordered the Chief Secretary of Maharashtra to appoint a Nodal Officer who can ensure that payments can be made to the victims.
"We propose to issue a direction to the Principal Secretary, Home Department, Government of Maharashtra to deposit a sum of Rs.3.60 crores with the office of this Court within next two weeks, appropriate arrangements for that shall be made forthwith. However, before that the Chief Secretary in coordination with the Principal Secretary, Home and General Administration Departments, Government of Maharashtra shall appoint a Nodal Officer who shall ensure that notices to all the victims/legal heirs of the victims etc. are served within next 10 days through all available electronic modes in addition to personal service to them," the judges said in the order passed on January 27.
The judges were hearing Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Advocate Satyam Surana who highlighted the 'non-compliance' of the State Government with the orders of the MSHRC recommendations in cases involving human rights violations, particularly, the recommendations for monetary compensation to victims of various offences, wherein human rights were violated.
According to Surana, in March 2025, he filed an application under the Right To Information (RTI) Act before the MSHRC seeking status of its recommendations to the State since 2013 and the extent of compliance by the State authorities. The MSHRC replied to the query in April 2025 stating that from 2013 till 2025, it had made around 180 recommendations to the State. However, the State complied with around 25 per cent of these recommendations.
Taking note of the 'grim picture' as to how the recommendations of the MSHRC for compensation to the victims are pending unattended, the bench had on December 12, 2025, asked the State to file its say in the matter.
On January 27, when the matter was called out, Additional Government Pleader BV Samant told the judges that around recommendations in about 15 more cases have been complied with.
However, Surana pointed out that nearly Rs 3.40 crores ordered as compensation in various cases, is yet to be paid by the State to several witnesses in cases of violation of their human rights.
Taking note of the same, the bench ordered the State to deposit the said amount with the HC and adjourned the hearing till February 17.
Case Title: Satyam Atul Surana vs State of Maharashtra (Public Interest Litigation 118 of 2025)