There is a significant increase in the number of applications seeking victim compensation before the Dakshina Kannada District Legal Services Authority, which has paid ₹29. 5 lakh as compensation in the last three years.
In February 2012, the State government formulated the Karnataka Victim Compensation Scheme to compensate victims of crimes, namely murder, rape and assaults. Of the 20 applications filed in 2014, the Dakshina Kannada authority disposed seven applications and compensation of ₹17.5 lakh was paid.
In 2015, 27 applications were filed of which one application, related to rape, was disposed by paying compensation of ₹3 lakh.
As many as 177 persons filed applications seeking compensation last year. Of this, the authority disposed one application, related to the rape of a minor, and two applications, related to other crimes, and ₹9 lakh was paid. In the last four months, the authority has already received 15 applications. Mallanagowda Patil, member secretary of the District Legal Services Authority, said that the increase in the number of applications since last year was result of an awareness campaign by the police.
“Now, the police are helping victims of crime in filing applications soon after registration of the FIR.”
Generally, applications are filed after conviction or acquittal by the trial court, he said.
As there are no pleas for payment of interim compensation, the authority was taking up application for victim compensation only after disposal of the case by the trial court.
While awarding compensation, the authority will look into whether the victim has supported the prosecution during the trial and rejects claims made by rape victim who has turned hostile.
The authority will also takes into consideration compensation that has already been paid to the victim under other schemes while awarding compensation under this scheme, Mr Patil said.
Mr. Patil told The Hindu said the award of compensation by authority will be sent to the State Legal Services Authority for ratification.
Following approval by the State Authority, compensation amount will be credited to the victim’s bank ccount.
