The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has directed Madurai District Legal Services Authority to decide as expeditiously as possible a claim made by a 69-year-old-man seeking compensation under the victim compensation scheme to take care of his two grandchildren.
The court was hearing a petition filed by M. Karuthaperiyan of Vadipatti in Madurai district. He said that his son Vellaiperiyan was in a relationship with one Abinaya and they got married against the wishes of the woman’s parents.
The petitioner said that with a meagre income, his son was supporting his wife and two children. Unfortunately in 2019, following an altercation, he said that his son had beaten his wife to death. He was arrested and remanded in judicial custody.
A couple of days later, the petitioner said that the family was informed that Vellaiperiyan had killed himself in Madurai Central Prison. He said that his grandchildren lost both their parents tragically. He sought compensation to support his grandchildren.
Justice N. Sathish Kumar took note of the fact that an application made in 2020 was already pending before Madurai DLSA. As per the scheme, the maximum amount payable was ₹10 lakh.
The Chairperson of the DLSA should decide the claim as expeditiously as possible and disburse the compensation as per the scheme within two months, the judge said.
The judge said that the compensation should be deposited in the name of the minors. In the event of any expenses required by them, the District court could be approached. It could be assessed and the interest permitted to be withdrawn for educational purposes.
(Those in distress or having suicidal tendencies could seek help and counselling by calling State’s health helpline ‘104’ or Chennai-based Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline 044 24640050).
