NHRC directs District Magistrate, Kota to pay compensation to minor tribal rape victim

On 8 August 2022, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) directed the District Magistrate, Kota in Rajasthan to provide the sanctioned compensation under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Rules, 2016 in the correct bank account of the minor tribal rape victim. The case pertains to the abduction and rape of a 15-year-old tribal girl by three persons in the night of 24 June 2021 in Kota district of Rajasthan. The NHRC registered the case (2237/20/21/2021) following a complaint filed by ILAI. Pursuant to the NHRC’s intervention, the authorities submitted reports, which revealed that chargesheet was filed in the matter u/s 363/376(d) IPC r/w 5/6 POCSO and 3(2)(V)(Va) SC/ST (POA) Act. Accused were arrested and sent to jail. With respect to compensation, the NHRC was informed that compensation in two installments i.e. Rs. 4,12,500/- and Rs. 2,06,250/- were sanctioned under SC/ST (POA) Act. However, the payment could not be processed due to incorrect account details of victim’s mother. In its proceedings dated 8 August 2022, the NHRC directed the District Magistrate, Kota, Rajasthan to obtain correct account details and process the payment of sanctioned compensation under SC/ST (POA) Rules, 2016 to the victim.