Blind rape victim's family gets compensation : Cuttak

The Odisha Victim Compensation Scheme, which came into effect last year, was made operational today with the father of a deaf and blind girl, raped and murdered in Puri district, being paid a part of compensation.

A cheque for Rs 75,000, was paid by the Odisha Legal Services Authority to the father by district and sessions judge B N Mohanty and OSLSA member secretary Sashikanta Mishra at a function at the Puri court premises.

The Puri district Legal Services Authority had awarded a compensation of Rs 1.5 lakh to the victim's family after an undertaking from the father of the victim that he would cooperate with the prosecution during the trial of the case. 

The remaining half of the amount would be paid after conclusion of the trial, sources informed.

Though the trial in the case was yet to begin, the prosecution has filed the charge-sheet in the case. 

The minor girl was raped and brutally murdered in June this year near Balliguali under Puri Sadar police station triggering a hue and cry in the state. 

The sources said that another cheque for Rs 2,500 was handed over to the mother of another rape victim of the district, a minor girl, who was injured. 

The district legal services authority had awarded Rs 5,000 as compensation to the victim's family. 

This was for the first time compensation was awarded to victims' families under the scheme. 

The scheme aimed to give financial assistance besides shelter, counselling, medical aid, legal assistance, education and vocational training depending on the need of the victim or her dependant.



Source : Business Standard Viao PTI , 24th August 2013