ORDER : 1. Pursuant to orders passed by us from time to time, NALSA has framed the “Compensation Scheme for Women Victims/Survivors of Sexual Assault/other Crimes – 2018. 2. In this context the order passed by us on 15th February, 2018 was communicated by the Ministry of Women and Child Development of the Government of India to all the Principal Secretaries/Administrators of the States/Union Territories. 3. The order dated 15th February, 2018 reads as follows : “In spite of all talks, discussions and intents expressed about gender justice and safety of women, we find that there are 24 States / UTs that have not even bothered to file an affidavit in terms of our order dated 09.01.2018. On 09.01.2018, we had required all the State Governments / UTs to file an affidavit within a period of four weeks indicating the amount received by each State Government / UT under the Nirbhaya Fund towards victim compensation, the amount disbursed from the Nirbhaya Fund and even otherwise and to the number of victims of sexual assault. This simple information could not be filed as mentioned above by following 24 States / UTs: 1. Andhra Pradesh 2. Arunachal Pradesh 3. Assam 4. Chhattisgarh 5. Goa 6. Haryana 7. Himachal Pradesh 8. Jammu & Kashmir 9. Kerala 10. Maharashtra 11. Manipur 12. Meghalaya 13. Mizoram 14. Rajasthan 15. Tamil Nadu 16. Telangana 17. Tripura 18. Uttar Pradesh 19. Uttarakhand 20. West Bengal 21. Dadra and Nagar Haveli 22. Daman and Diu 23. Delhi 24. Lakshadweep The affidavits be now filed by these State Governments / UTs within four weeks from today, if they are at all interested in looking after the welfare of women in their States/Uts. List the matters on 27.03.2018. The Learned Amicus has finalized a draft of the Victim Compensation Scheme with the assistance of NALSA. It is stated that this will be put on the portal of NALSA for inviting suggestions and comments.” 4. Thereafter, on 9th March, 2018, NALSA put up a notice on its website which reads as follows : “09.03.2018 To State Legal Services Authorities Ministries/Government Departments Law Universities and NGOs. Sub: Suggestions invited on the Model “Victim Compensation for Survivors of Sexual Assault and Acid Attach – 2018” reg.
Thereafter, on 9th March, 2018, NALSA put up a notice on its website which reads as follows : “09.03.2018 To State Legal Services Authorities Ministries/Government Departments Law Universities and NGOs. Sub: Suggestions invited on the Model “Victim Compensation for Survivors of Sexual Assault and Acid Attach – 2018” reg. Sir/Madam, Whereas vide order dated 12.10.2017, Hon’ble Supreme Court of India had directed NALSA to set up a Committee for preparation of Model “Victim Compensation Scheme for Survivors of Sexual offences and Acid Attack”. The Committee formed by NALSA has now come with a Draft to be added in the State Victim Compensation Scheme titled “Victime Compensation for Survivors of Sexual Assault and Acid Attach – 2018”. As per order dated 15.02.2018, NALSA is now uploading the Draft on its website so that suggestions can come from SLSAs, various Governments, NGOs and other stake holders. Suggestions, if any, can be e-mailed to NALSA on nalsa-dla@nic.in in the next two weeks on or by 25.03.2018. Yours faithfully, Surinder S. Rathi” 5. We are informed that 14 responses from the State Legal Services Authorities were received to the notice of this Model Victim Compensation Scheme. 6. After all the objections were considered, a Committee comprising the following members was constituted for preparation of the Model Scheme. The members of the Committee are as follows : “Ms. Pinky Anand Additional Solicitor General Shri Rakesh Srivastava Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India Shri T.V.S.N. Prasad, Adv. Additional Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs Government of India Ms. Indira Jaising Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India Shri Alok Agarwal Member Secretary, NALSA Shri Surinder S. Rathi, Director, NALSA Ms. Anju Rathi Rana, Joint Secretary, Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Law and Justice, Govt. of India Shri K.L. Sharma, Joint Secretary National Commission for Women Ms. Bharti Ali Co-Director, HAQ: Centre for Child Rights 7. We have gone through the Scheme prepared by NALSA with the assistance of learned amicus curiae and we are of the view that it contains the best practices of all similar schemes and should be implemented by all the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations. 8. A copy of the Scheme should be sent by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India to the Principal Secretaries of the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations within two weeks from today for implementation. 9.
8. A copy of the Scheme should be sent by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India to the Principal Secretaries of the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations within two weeks from today for implementation. 9. We make it clear that the Scheme postulates only the minimum requirements. This does not preclude the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations from adding to the Scheme. However, nothing should be taken away from the Scheme. 10. For other issues, list the matter on 25th July, 2018.