Preparing SOP For 81,902 POCSO Cases Where Victims Yet To Receive Compensation: DSLSA To Delhi High Court

The Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA) has informed the High Court that it is in the process of preparing a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), in consultation with other stakeholders, to deal with 81,902 disposed of cases under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 where compensation has not been granted to the victims.

"It is expected that the SOP shall be ready and implemented within a period of four weeks from today," said Justice Jasmeet Singh in the order dated October 7.

Harshita Mishra, Secretary Litigation, DSLSA earlier informed the court that she has received a communication regarding the sanction of Rs 15.50 crores by the Delhi government.

The court last month directed the Delhi Government to release a sum of Rs. 15.5 crores to DSLSA in order to meet the compensation claims of rape victims.

The submission was made in a matter pertaining to the issue of supply of FIRs, pertaining to the commission of sexual offences, to DSLSA for the purposes of granting interim compensation to the victims.

The court has now listed the matter for further hearing on November 29.

Previously, the Court had observed that Special Courts must, on their own, initiate action for grant of interim compensation to child victims at the earliest, without waiting for them to file an application for the same.

It had also sought details from the DSLSA regarding payment and non payment of compensation to victims in relation to the FIRs pertaining to sexual offences.

Earlier, the Delhi Police has also informed the Court that all the District DCPs were sensitized and necessary Standing Orders were issued so that the entire data with respect to the cases pertaining to sexual offences can be shared with DSLSA.

Keeping in view that such default in sharing of data is recurring in nature, the Court had earlier sought measures to ensure that no victim is left without compensation or counselling.

Case Title: Umesh v. State (and other connected matters)

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