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Govt pays Rs 3 lakh compensation to minor rape victim

September 27, 2005 03:31 IST

The Maharashtra government on Monday informed the Bombay high court that it has already paid Rs 3 lakh to the minor girl who was allegedly raped by dismissed police constable Sunil More at Marine Drive police chowky on April 21.

Replying to a petition seeking compensation of Rs 15 lakh to the 17-year-old victim, the state government said it has already paid Rs 3 lakh to the victim on September 23.

The state government said it has paid the amount as per the suo moto order of the State Human Rights Commission to pay Rs 3 lakh as compensation and hence the petition seeking compensation should be dismissed.

However, the victim has recently moved the high court seeking compensation from the state government for violation of her right to life and personal liberty.

Hearing the matter, the Division Bench of Chief Justice Dalveer Bhandari and Justice S J Vazifdar said any order of the dismissal of petition would be taken only after reply from the victim.

The court had issued notice to More asking him to state why the petition seeking compensation should not be admitted.

The bench also said the identity of the victim should be protected in the court.