Karnataka High Court Says Compensation Mechanism For Sexual Assault Survivors In Place, Seeks Suggestions On Additional Safeguards

The Karnataka High Court was informed on Wednesday [June 17] that State government has released Rs.45 crore including the recent additional amount of Rs. 15 crore to Karnataka State Legal Services Authority (KSLSA) for giving compensation to sexual assault survivors, with no pending requests for funds.

The court was hearing a PIL seeking a comprehensive framework for enforcing the rights of survivors.

Observing that special courts have been constituted and disbursement mechanisms exist, the division bench of Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice K.S Hemalekha granted the petitioner, People's Movement Against Sexual Assault, further time till July 29 to suggest additional protocols for ensuring the well being of sexual assault victims.

“…the system for distributing compensation amounts is already in place. Special courts have also been constituted. Prima facie no further directions appear necessary. However, counsel for the petitioner submits that it is necessary to set out protocols to ensure the rights of the victims. The petitioner is at liberty to approach KSLSA and it shall examine any further protocol that should be put in place. The petitioner is also at liberty to make such suggestions, maybe at the advice of the counsel for KSLSA…”, the court noted in the order.

The PIL filed by the NGO seeks multiple directions, including the constitution of committees as per the National Commission for Women to prevent sexual assault, disbursement of victim compensation, designation of special courts, enforcement of confidentiality norms, accessible toilet facilities in rural and urban areas, ensuring day care and creches for children of female workers, and formulation of SOPs for the welfare of victims.

When the matter was taken up, counsel for Karnataka State Legal Services Authority (KSLSA), advocate Nidhishree B V, informed the court that the State has released a sum of Rs 45 crores so far, including the recent release of Rs 15 crores, for the disbursement to victims of sexual assault. KSLSA also further submitted that the funds are being released by the state government as and when requests are made by KSLSA.

When the bench inquired whether any requests for funds were pending, KSLSA responded in the negative. The court also recorded that currently no request for release of funds is pending before the state government.

Turning to the petitioner, the court further enquired:

“.. All your committees are there? Special courts are also appointed. What else do you want?" the court asked.

The petitioner submitted that while the mechanisms exist, it is necessary to set out protocols to preserve the rights of the victims.

"If there is something more to be done, examine it, and then we will close this petition," the court observed.

The matter has been posted for further hearing on July 29.

On August 19, 2025, the court had directed the State to release a further sum of Rs 20 crores within two weeks without awaiting the utilization certificate to be furnished by KSLSA, after noting that a request for release of funds amounting to Rs 45,40,70,500/- was pending.

Thereafter, on September 9, 2025, the court was informed that a sum of ₹20 crores was received by KSLSA on September 8, 2025, which would be used to pay compensation in approximately 548 cases. A further sum of Rs 15,61,34,500/- was pending for providing compensation in 434 relevant cases.

Case Title: People's Movement against Sexual Assault v. State of Karnataka & Ors.

Case No:  WP 6301/2017