Dimapur, May 18 (EMN): Judge of Gauhati High Court and executive chairman of Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA), Justice Songkhupchung Serto, on May 18 handed over a cheque amount of INR 8 lakh to the father of a victim as compensation under the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) compensation scheme for women victims/ survivors of sexual assault/ other crimes 2018 at the Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench.
The cheque was given away in the presence of Gauhati High Court registrar, Neiko Akami; NSLSA member secretary, Victo Sema, and NSLSA project officials.
An update from NSLSA stated that a total of 27 compensations were received during the financial year 2021-2022, which was forwarded to the state Home department (Relief & Rehabilitation) for sanctioning the final amount. It added that the compensation of 16 applicants from different districts (DLSA) amounting to INR 54 lakh had been sanctioned, while another 11 are pending.
Applications received this year included cases of rape (POCSO Act), sexual assault and loss of life (POCSO Act and loss of life).
It mentioned that victim compensations are rolled out in two schemes including the Nagaland Victim Compensation Scheme, 2012 and National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) Compensation Scheme for women victims/ survivors of sexual assault/ other crimes. It added that the victim compensation scheme was introduced to give compensation to victims or dependents, who have suffered loss or injury as a result of crime and who required rehabilitation.
To avail the scheme, it stated that applicants could submit applications before the legal services authority attached with an FIR, medical reports, and a copy of the judgment or recommendation, if the case has been disposed off. It stated that after scrutiny, the compensation is awarded based on factors such as gravity of the offence, loss of livelihood, age (in case of death), monthly income, number of dependents, and if the crime is an isolated incident or part of a series over a period of time.
