Delhi HC increases compensation to minor in sexual assault case to Rs 6 lakh

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday ordered Rs 6 lakh to be given as interim compensation to a six-year-old sexual assault survivor, noting that although the system was unable to undo the offence, it can provide “psychological security and sense of empowerment that monetary compensation can give”, reported PTI.

In 2020, an uncle had allegedly sexually assaulted and abused the six-year-old boy in his home. The case against the accused is currently underway.

Delhi High Court Justice Anup Jairam Bhambani set aside a sessions court order to the Delhi State Legal Services Authority to provide Rs 50,000 as compensation, reported The Indian Express. The court instructed that Rs 1 lakh will be disbursed to the bank account of the minor with his mother as a joint owner. The remaining amount would be deposited by the legal services authority through a fixed deposit.

The High Court noted that the survivor’s family was financially weak as the total income was around Rs 6,000 with four members to support. His mother worked as a domestic worker and his father was bed-ridden, reported PTI.

“It is not hard to see that apart from the actual expenses that would be incurred for the petitioner’s [survivor] psychological counselling and treatment at a specialised institution like Institute of…

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