Kochi : The high court has directed the state govt to release Rs 9.73 crore towards victim compensation pending in 225 cases arising up to July 2026 within five weeks.
The directive came after the court noted that claims in these 225 cases had been pending before the additional chief secretary of the home department since Sept 16. Regarding mediator honorarium, the court noted a govt order dated Sept 30 revising the rates with effect from April 1. The state govt was further directed to release the honorarium at the revised rates and reconsider the higher rates recommended by the board of governors on Jan 7, 2022. The matter was posted to Dec 2.
A bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice V M Syam Kumar issued the directive in a suo motu case initiated by the HC concerning the disbursement of victim compensation and infrastructure in mediation centres across the state. The court also directed the member secretary of the Kerala State Legal Services Authority (KeLSA) to ensure the timely disbursement of victim compensation, which is financial assistance provided by the state to victims of crime. Secretaries of district legal services authorities (DLSAs) must collect all requisite documents from victims at the time of adjudication itself to avoid delays. The member secretary was asked to review the disbursement status with DLSAs every week and file a report. All pending victim compensation disbursements being processed by KeLSA and DLSAs must be completed within three weeks, the court ordered. KeLSA must submit a statement to the finance department specifying the differential amount payable under the revised rates, and the finance department shall release it at the earliest, the bench added.