Delhi High Court Directs DSLSA to Prevent Delays in POCSO Compensation
Last Updated on October 10, 2024 by Athi Venkatesh
The Delhi High Court issued directions to expedite compensation for survivors in POCSO cases. A division bench, comprising Justice Prathiba M Singh and Justice Amit Sharma, observed a disconnect between the POCSO Courts and the Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA) in handling victim compensation. The court highlighted cases where survivors, including those with special abilities, had not received compensation due to lack of communication.
To address this, the court ordered the DSLSA Secretary to meet with the District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs) and POCSO Court Judges. The aim is to create a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to prevent future delays. These meetings are to be held within six weeks.
The court also directed the creation of dedicated email IDs for each DLSA district. This will allow POCSO Courts to send conviction orders and compensation grants within 24 hours of being issued. A flowchart outlining communication procedures between courts and the DSLSA will also be created to ensure timely follow-up on compensation release.
The bench passed these directions in a criminal appeal filed in 2020. The case highlighted the systemic delays in releasing compensation to a minor victim. The court ordered the DLSA to ensure the minor receives compensation without further delay.
