Give `10 lakh more to minor rape survivor, orders HC

The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court on Wednesday directed the state government to provide Rs 10 lakh more as compensation to a minor rape survivor, who gave birth to a child recently, and make arrangements for her free residential education up to the degree level and employment thereafter.

The court also directed that her newborn be kept in hospital until the doctors felt that the infant could be discharged.

Thereafter, the child shall be handed over to the child welfare committee where adoption process may be completed under supervision of “amicus curiae”, the court said.

The state government has already provided Rs 3 lakh as compensation to the girl. The court also said the amount of compensation shall be kept as fixed deposit in a nationalised bank which could be utilised by the minor rape survivor after the attaining age of 21. It strictly prohibited anyone from disclosing her identity or her past circumstances at any stage.

A division bench of justice Shabihul Hasnain and justice DK Upadhayaya passed this order on Tuesday on a writ petition and an application moved on behalf of the minor rape survivor. The petition sought steps for her welfare and initiation of proceedings for the newborn as she and her father were not intending to keep the child with them, amicus curiae JN Mathur, senior advocate, said. He also said that he may approach the court if there was any inconvenience in the matter as per the court order.

The court also directed the SP concerned to look after the minor rape survivor and her family. Any NGO may provide help to her, Mathur further said.