Allahabad High Court Orders Compensation to Rape Victim; Holds Officials Accountable for Delay

Court Directs Immediate Payment and Additional Compensation for Victim; Warns of Departmental Action Against Responsible Officials

In a significant ruling, the Allahabad High Court has directed the State of Uttar Pradesh to pay a rape victim Rs. 3 lakhs, along with an additional Rs. 2 lakhs for the delay in compensation. The decision came after the victim, identified as "Victim X" in FIR No. 385 of 2025, was forced to file a writ petition due to the non-payment of compensation under the Uttar Pradesh Rani Lakshmi Bai Mahila Samman Kosh Rules, 2015.

The Division Bench, comprising Justices Shekhar B. Saraf and Prashant Kumar, expressed their disapproval of the significant delay in compensating the victim. The court highlighted that such delays aggravate the victim's suffering, who had already endured severe physical and mental trauma due to the crime. The judgment emphasized the need for swift compensation to address the immediate financial and medical needs of victims.

The case background reveals that the incident occurred on May 8, 2025, with the charge sheet filed on June 25, 2025. As per the rules, the victim was entitled to Rs. 3 lakhs, to be disbursed in two installments. The first installment of Rs. 1 lakh was due within 15 days of the charge sheet filing, and the remaining Rs. 2 lakhs within one month. However, the compensation was not paid, leading the victim to approach the High Court on September 9, 2025.

During the proceedings, the court was informed that the victim had provided her bank details on October 16, 2025, yet no payment was made even by the hearing date on October 27, 2025. The court criticized the "laissez-faire attitude" of the officials involved, stressing that such inaction undermines the purpose of the compensation scheme designed to alleviate the victims' distress.

In its order, the court mandated the respondent to disburse the Rs. 3 lakhs within three days and directed an additional payment of Rs. 2 lakhs as compensation for the delay. The judgment also grants the State Government the authority to recover the additional compensation from the officials responsible for the delay and to initiate departmental action against them.

This ruling underscores the judiciary's commitment to ensuring accountability and timely support for victims of heinous crimes, reinforcing the urgency of upholding victims' rights under beneficial state schemes.

Bottom Line:

Compensation to rape victims under Uttar Pradesh Rani Lakshmi Bai Mahila Samman Kosh Rules, 2015 - Delay in payment of compensation to victim is not acceptable and accountability must be fastened on responsible officials.

Statutory provision(s): Uttar Pradesh Rani Lakshmi Bai Mahila Samman Kosh Rules, 2015, Article 226 of the Constitution of India.

Victim X In Fir No. 385 Of 2025, Ps Kotwali Sadar Distt. Kheri v. State of U.P., (Allahabad)(DB)(Lucknow) : Law Finder Doc Id # 2799938