P ANU CHENGAPPA Vs. STATE OF KARNATAKA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE petition in the nature of public interest litigation is filed by number of learned female advocates with the prayers to, in substance, facilitate payment of compensation and other legal and medical aid to the victims of various offences amounting to harassment of women or worse.

(2.) LEARNED counsel Ms.M.Sumana Baliga appearing for the petitioners submitted that the amended provisions of Section 357A of the Code of Criminal Procedure cast responsibilities on the State Government and the District Legal Services Authorities to take immediate appropriate actions for providing compensation and protection to the victim, as also to alleviate suffering of the victims. It was generally submitted that the provisions of Section 357A, 357B and 357C as also the scheme for victim -compensation are not duly and fully implemented, even as the incidents of assault on women are increasing.

(3.) DURING the course of hearing of the petition, a suggestion was made to create a single window agency for all children and women related schemes and pursuant thereto, a meeting of the Principal Secretary, Home Department was called to discuss the issues with the petitioners and the various departments concerned. The proceedings of such meeting held on 11.11.2014 are placed on record. After considering the suggestions of the petitioners, it was observed that the District Legal Services Authority has to verify the FIR, statement of Station House Officer and medical officer and then arrange to pay compensation to the victim. If compensation is paid to a wrong person who is not really the victim of an alleged offence, the power to recover the compensation with interest has to be exercised.