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La Gazette de L' État de Poudouchéry
The Gazette of Puducherry
PART - II
➢ EXTRAORDINAIRE EXTRAORDINARY
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▪ ➢ 2019 } | 15 {
No. 9 Poudouchéry Vendredi 1 5 Fév rier 2019
No. Puducherry Friday 15th February 2019
( 26 Magha 1940 )
GOVERNMENT OF PUDUCHERRY
HOME DEPARTMENT
(G.O. Ms. No. 13, Puducherry, dated 12th February 2019)
NOTIFICATION
Pursuant to the direction of the Supreme Court of India, vide Order, dated 5th September, 2018 in WP(C) No. 565/2012 in Nipun Saxena Vs. Union of India and in exercise of the powers conferred by section 357A of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (Central Act 2 of 1974), the Lieutenant-Governor of Puducherry hereby makes the following Scheme for providing funds for the purpose of assisting the women victims or their dependent(s), who have suffered loss or injury or both as a result of the crime and who require rehabilitation.
[ 71 ] 72 LA GAZETTE DE L'ETAT [P ART–II
1. Short title, extent, commencement and application.—(1) This Scheme shall be called the Puducherry Victim Compensation Scheme for Women Victims/Survivors of Sexual Assault/Other Crimes, 2019;
(2) It shall apply to the whole of Union territory of Puducherry;
(3) This shall come into force on the date of its publication in
the Official Gazette of the Union territory of Puducherry;
(4) It shall apply to the women victims and their dependent(s) who have suffered loss, injury, as the case may be, as a result of the offence committed in the territorial limits of Union territory of Puducherry and who require rehabilitation.
2. Definitions.— (1) In this Chapter, unless the context otherwise
requires:-
(a) 'Code' means the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
(Central Act 2 of 1974).
(b) 'Dependent' includes husband, father, mother, grandparents, unmarried daughter and minor children of the victim as determined by District Legal Services Authority (DLSA)/Taluk Legal Services Committee (TLSC) on the basis of the report of the Subdivisional Magistrate of the concerned Area/Station House Officer/Investigating Officer or on the basis of material placed on record by the dependents by way of Affidavit or on its own enquiry.
(c) 'District Legal Services Authority' means District Legal Services Authority constituted under section 9 of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 (Central Act 39 of 1987) for a District of the Union territory of Puducherry.
(d) 'Form' means Form appended to the Scheme as applicable
to this Chapter.
(e) 'Fund' means State fund i.e., Victim Compensation Fund,
constituted under the State Victim Compensation Scheme.
(f) 'Central Fund' means funds received from Central Victim
Compensation Fund Scheme, 2015.
(g) 'Women Victim Compensation Fund' means a fund segregated for disbursement for women victims, out of State Victim Compensation Fund and Central Fund.
73
PART–II] LA GAZETTE DE L'ETAT
[Within the State Victim Compensation Fund, a separate Bank Account shall be maintained as a portion of that larger fund which shall contain the funds contributed under CVCF Scheme by MHA, GoI contributed from Nirbhaya Fund apart from funds received from the State Victim Compensation Fund which shall be utilized only for victims covered under this Chapter].
(h) 'Government' means Government of Puducherry wherever the State Victim Compensation Scheme or the State Victim Compensation Fund is in context and 'Central Government' wherever Central Government Victim Compensation Fund Scheme is in context.
(i) 'Injury' means any harm caused to body or mind of a
female.
(j) 'Minor' means a girl child who has not completed the age
of 18 years.
(k) 'Offence' means any offence committed against women
punishable under Indian Penal Code or any other law.
(l) 'Penal Code' means Indian Penal Code, 1860 (45 of 1860);
(m) 'Schedule' means Schedule applicable to this Chapter/Part
of the Scheme.
(n) 'State Legal Services Authority' means the Union Territory of Puducherry Legal Services Authority (UTPLSA) as defined in section 6 of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 (Central Act 39 of 1987).
(o) 'Sexual Assault Victims' means female who has suffered mental or physical injury or both as a result of sexual offence including sections 376 A to E, section 354 A to D, section 509 IPC.
(p) 'Taluk Legal Services Committee' means Taluk Legal Services Committee, constituted under section 11A of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 (Act No.39 of 1987).
(q) 'Woman Victim/Survivor of other crime' means a woman who has suffered physical or mental injury as a result of any offence mentioned in the attached Schedule including section 304 (B), section 326 (A), section 387 (A) of Indian Penal Code (in case of physical injury of the nature specified in the Schedule) including the attempts and abetment.
74 LA GAZETTE DE L'ETAT [P ART–II
(2) Words and expressions used in this Chapter and not defined here, shall have the same meaning as assigned to them in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 or/and the Indian Penal Code, 1860.
3. Women Victims Compensation Fund.— (1) There shall be a fund, namely, the Women Victims Compensation Fund from which the amount of compensation, as decided by the District Legal Services Authority/Taluk Legal Services Committee of Union Territory of Puducherry Legal Services Authority (UTPLSA), shall be paid to the women victims or their dependent(s) who have suffered loss or injury as a result of an offence and who require rehabilitation.
(2) The 'Women Victims Compensation Fund' shall comprise
the following:-
(a) Contribution received from Central Victim Compensation
Fund Scheme, 2015;
(b) Budgetary allocation in the shape of Grants-in-aid to the Union Territory of Puducherry Legal Services Authority (UTPLSA) for which necessary provision shall be made in the Annual Budget by the Government;
(c) Any cost amount ordered by Civil/Criminal Tribunal to be
deposited in this fund;
(d) Amount of compensation recovered from the wrong doer/
accused under clause 14 of the Scheme;
(e) Donations/Contributions from International/National/ Philanthropist/Charitable Institutions/Organizations and individuals permitted by State or Central Government;
(f) Contributions from companies under CSR (Corporate
Social Responsibility).
(3) The said Fund shall be operated by the Member-Secretary,
Union Territory of Puducherry Legal Services Authority (UTPLSA).
4. Eligibility for compensation.— A woman victim or her dependent(s) as the case may be, shall be eligible for grant of compensation from multiple Schemes applicable to her. However, the compensation received by her in the other Schemes with regard to section 357(B) of Code of Criminal Procedure, shall be taken into account while deciding the quantum in such subsequent application.
75
PART–II] LA GAZETTE DE L'ETAT
5. Procedure for making application before the District Legal Services Authority/Taluk Legal Services Committee of Union territory of Puducherry Legal Services Authority (UTPLSA).— Mandatory Reporting of FIRs:- Station House Officer/Superintendent of Police/ Senior Superintendent of Police shall mandatorily share soft/hard copy of FIR immediately after its registration with the District Legal Services Authority/Taluk Legal Services Committee of Union Territory of Puducherry Legal Services Authority (UTPLSA) qua commission of offences covered in this Scheme which include sections 326(A), 354(A) to 354(D), 376(A) to 376(E), 304(B), 498(A) (in case of physical injury covered in this Schedule), so that the District Legal Services Authority/Taluk Legal Services Committee can, in deserving cases, may suo motou initiate preliminary verification of facts for the purpose of grant of interim compensation.
An application for the award of interim/final compensation can be filed by the victim and/or her dependent(s) or the Station House Officer of the area before District Legal Services Authority/Taluk Legal Services Committee of Union Territory of Puducherry Legal Services Authority (UTPLSA). It shall be submitted in Form-I along with a copy of the First Information Report (FIR) or criminal complaint of which cognizance is taken by the Court and if available, the Medical Report, Death Certificate, wherever applicable, copy of judgment/ recommendation of Court if, the trial is over.
6. Place of filing of application.— The application/recommendation for compensatio n can be submitted either before the (i) The Member-Secretary, Union Territory of Puducherry Legal Services Authority (UTPLSA), (ii) The Secretary, District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) (iii) The Chairman, Taluk Legal Services Committee (TLSC) or it can be filed online on a portal which shall be created by State Legal Services Authorities. The Member-Secretary, Union Territory of Puducherrv Legal Services Authority(UTPLSA) shall forward the application to the Secretary, District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) or the Chairman, Taluk Legal Services Committee (TLSC) as the case may be. The Secretary of the DLSA/Chairman of the TLSC shall decide the application/recommendation submitted before him/her as per the Scheme.
Explanation: In case of acid attack victim, the deciding authority shall be Criminal Injury Compensation Board as directed by Hon'ble Supreme Court in Laxmi Vs. Union of India W.P.CRML.129/2006 order, dated 10.04.2015 which includes Learned District and Sessions Judge, DM, SP, Civil Surgeon/CMO of the District.
76 LA GAZETTE DE L'ETAT [P ART–II
7. Reliefs that may be awarded by the DLSA or TLSC.— The District Legal Services Authority/Taluk Legal Services Committee may award compensation to the victim or her dependent(s) to the extent as specified in the Schedule attached hereto.
8. Factors to be considered while awarding compensation.— While deciding a matter, the DLSA/TLSC of Union Territory of Puducherry Legal Services Authority (UTPLSA) may take into consideration, the following factors relating to the loss or injury suffered by the victim.
(1) Gravity of the offence and severity of the mental or physical
harm or injury suffered by the victim;
(2) Expenditure incurred or likely to be incurred on the medical treatment for physical and/or mental health including counseling of the victim, funeral, travelling during investigation/ inquiry/trial (other than diet money);
(3) Loss of educational opportunity as a consequence of the offence, including absence from School/College due to mental trauma, bodily injury, medical treatment, investigation and trial of the offence, or any other reason;
(4) Loss of employment as a result of the offence, including absence from place of employment due to mental trauma, bodily injury, medical treatment, investigation and trial of the offence, or any other reason;
(5) The relationship of the victim to the offender, if any;
(6) Whether the abuse was a single isolated incidence or
whether the abuse took place over a period of time;
(7) Whether victim became pregnant as a result of the offence, whether she had to undergo Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP)/ give birth to a child, including rehabilitation needs of such child;
(8) Whether the victim contacted a Sexually Transmitted
Disease (STD) as a result of the offence;
(9) Whether the victim contacted Human Immunodeficiency
Virus (HIV) as a result of the offence;
(10) Any disability suffered by the victim as a result of the
offence.
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PART–II] LA GAZETTE DE L'ETAT
(11) Financial condition of the victim against whom the offence has been committed so as to determine her need for rehabilitation and re-integration needs of the victim.
(12) In case of death, the age of deceased, her monthly income, number of dependents, life expectancy, future promotional/growth prospects, etc.
(13) Or any other factor which the UTPLSA/DLSA may
consider just and sufficient.
9. Procedure for Grant of Compensation.— ( 1 ) W her ever, a recommendation is made by the Court for compensation under sub-sections (2) and/or (3) of section 357A of the Code, or an application is made by any victim or her dependent(s), under sub-section (4) of section 357A of the Code, to the Union Territory of Puducherry Legal Services Authority (UTPLSA), for interim compensation it shall prima facie satisfy itself qua compensation needs and identity of the victim. As regards the final compensation, it shall examine the case and verify the contents of the claim with respect to the loss/injury and rehabilitation needs as a result of the crime and may also call for any other relevant information necessary for deciding the claim.
Provided that in deserving cases and in all acid attack cases, at any time after commission of the offence, the Secretary, District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) or the Chairman, Taluk Legal Services Committee (TLSC) may suo motou or after preliminary verification of the facts, proceed to grant interim relief as may be required in the circumstances of each case.
(2) The inquiry as contemplated under sub-section (5) of section 357A of the Code, shall be completed expeditiously and the period in no case shall exceed beyond sixty days from the receipt of the claim/petition or recommendation:
Provided that in cases of acid attack, an amount of Rupees one lakh shall be paid to the victim within 15 days of the matter being brought to the notice of DLSA/TLSC. The order granting interim compensation shall be passed by DLSA/TLSC within 7 days of the matter being brought to its notice and the Union Territory of Puducherry Legal Services Authority (UTPLSA) shall pay the compensation within 78 LA GAZETTE DE L'ETAT [P ART–II
8 days of passing of the order. Thereafter, an amount of ` 2 lakhs shall be paid to the victim as expeditiously as possible and positively within two months of the first payment.
Provided further that the victim may also be paid such further
amount as is admissible under this Scheme.
(3) After consideration of the matter, the DLSA or TLSC, as the case may be, upon its satisfaction, shall decide the quantum of compensation to be awarded to the victim or her dependent(s) taking into account the factors enumerated in clause 8 of the Scheme, as per Schedule appended to this Chapter. However, in deserving cases, for reasons to be recorded, the upper limit may be exceeded.
Moreover, in case, if, the victim is minor, the limit of compensation shall be deemed to be 50% higher than the amount mentioned in the Schedule appended to this Chapter.
(4) The DLSA/TLSC may call for any record or take assistance from any Authority/Establishment/Individual/Police/Court concerned or expert for smooth implementation of the Scheme.
(5) In case, if, Trial/Appellate Court gives findings that the criminal complaint and the allegation were false, then Union Territory of Puducherry Legal Services Authority may initiate proceedings for recovery of compensation, if any, granted in part or full under this Scheme, before the Trial Court for its recovery as if, it were a fine.
10. Copy of the order of interim or final compensation passed under this Scheme shall be placed on record of the Trial Court so as to enable the Trial Court to pass an appropriate order of compensation under section 357 of the Code. A true copy of the order shall be provided to the Investigating Officer in case, the matter is pending investigation and also to the victim/dependent as the case may be.
11. Method of Disbursement of Compensation.— (1) The amount of compensation so awarded shall be disbursed by the UTPLSA by depositing the same in a Bank in the joint or single name of the victim/dependent(s). In case, the victim does not have any Bank account, the UTPLSA/DLSA/TLSC concerned would facilitate opening of a Bank account in the name of the victim and in case, the victim is a minor along with a guardian or in case, minor is in a Child Care Institution, the Bank account shall be opened with the Superintendent of the Institution as Guardian. However, in case, the victim is a foreign national or 79
PART–II] LA GAZETTE DE L'ETAT
a refugee, the compensation can be disbursed by way of cash cards. Interim amount shall be disbursed in full. However, as far as the final compensation amount is concerned, 75% (seventy-five per cent.) of the same shall be put in a fixed deposit for a minimum period of three years and the remaining 25% (twenty-five per cent.) shall be available for utilization and initial expenses by the victim/dependent(s), as the case may be.
(2) In the case of a minor, 80% of the amount of compensation so awarded, shall be deposited in the fixed deposit account and shall be drawn only on attainment of the age of majority, but, not before three years of the deposit.
Provided that in exceptional cases, amounts may be withdrawn for educational or medical or other pressing and urgent needs of the beneficiary at the discretion of the UTPLSA/DLSA/TLSC.
(3) The interest on the sum, if, lying in FDR Form, shall be credited directly by the Bank in the savings account of the victim/ dependent(s), on monthly basis which can be withdrawn by the beneficiary.
12. Interim relief to the victim.— The Secretary, District Legal Services Authority/Taluk Legal Services Committee of Union Territory of Puducherry Legal Services Authority (UTPLSA), as the case may be, may order for immediate first-aid facility or medical benefits to be made available free of cost or any other interim relief (including interim monetary compensation) as deemed appropriate, to alleviate the suffering of the victim on the certificate of a Police Officer, not below the rank of the Officer-in-charge of the Police Station, or a Magistrate of the area concerned or on the application of the victim/dependent(s) or suo motou.
Provided that as soon as the application for compensation is received by the DLSA/TLSC, a sum of ` 5,000 or as the case warrants, up to ` 10,000 shall be immediately disbursed to the victim through Preloaded Cash Card from a Nationalised Bank by the Secretary, District Legal Services Authority or the Chairman of Taluk Legal Services Committee of Union Territory of Puducherry Legal Services Authority (UTPLSA).
Provided that the interim relief so granted shall not be less than 25 per cent. of the maximum compensation awardable as per Schedule applicable to this Chapter, which shall be paid to the victim in totality.
80 LA GAZETTE DE L'ETAT [P ART–II
Provided further that in cases of acid attack a sum of ` 1 lakh shall be paid to the victim within 15 days of the matter being brought to the notice of DLSA/TLSC. The order granting interim compensation shall be passed by the DLSA/TLSC within 7 days of the matter being brought to its notice and the UTPLSA shall pay the compensation within 8 days of passing of order. Thereafter, an additional sum of ` 2 lakh shall be awarded and paid to the victim, as expeditiously as possible and positively within two months.
13. Recovery of compensation awarded to the victim or her Dependent(s).— Subject to the provisions of sub-section (3) of section 357A of the Code, the Union Territory of Puducherry Legal Services Authority (UTPLSA), in proper cases, may institute proceedings before the Competent Court of law for recovery of the compensation granted to the victim or her dependent(s) from person(s) responsible for causing loss or injury as a result of the crime committed by him/her.
The amount, so recovered, shall be deposited in 'Women Victim
Compensation Fund'.
14. Dependency Certificate.— The authority empowered to issue the Dependency Certificate shall issue the same within a period of fifteen days and in no case, this period shall be extended:
Provided that the DLSA/TLSC, in case of non-issuance of Dependency Certificate, after expiry of 15 days, may proceed on the basis of an Affidavit to be obtained from the claimant.
15. Minor Victims.— That in case, the victim is an orphaned minor without any parent or legal guardian, the immediate relief or the interim compensation shall be disbursed to the Bank account of the child, opened under the guardianship of the Superintendent, Child Care Institutions, where, the child is lodged or in absence thereof, DDO/ SDM, as the case may be.
16. Limitation.— Under the Scheme, no claim made by the victim or her dependent(s), under sub-section (4) of section 357A of the Code, shall be entertained after a period of 3 years from the date of occurrence of the offence or conclusion of the trial.
However, in deserving cases, on an application made in this regard, for reasons to be recorded, the delay beyond three years can be condoned by the DLSA/TLSC.
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PART–II] LA GAZETTE DE L'ETAT
17. Appeal.— In case, the victim or her dependent(s) are not
satisfied with the quantum of compensation awarded by the Secretary,
DLSA/The Chairman, TLSC, they can file appeal within 30 days from
the date of receipt of order before the Chairman, DLSA.
Provided that delay in filing appeal may be condoned by the
Appellate Authority, for reasons to be recorded, in deserving cases, on
an application made in this regard.
18. Repeal and Savings.— (1) In case, this Chapter is silent on
any issue pertaining to Victim Compensation to Women, the provisions
of Union Territory of Puducherry Victim Assistance Scheme, 2012 of
the State would be applicable.
(2) Nothing in this Scheme shall prevent victims or their
dependents from instituting any Civil Suit or Claim against the
perpetrator of offence or any other person indirectly responsible for
the same.
Explanation: It is clarified that this Chapter does not apply to
minor victims under Protection of Children from Sexual
Offences Act, 2012 in so far as their compensation issues are to
be dealt with only by the Learned Special Courts under section
33(8) of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012
and rule (7) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences,
Rules, 2012.
THE SCHEDULE
Sl. Particulars of loss Minimum Upper
No. or injury limit of limit of
compensation compensation
(1) (2)
(3) (4)
` `
1 Loss of life 5 Lakh 1 0 Lakh
2 Gang rape 5 Lakh 1 0 Lakh
3 Rape
4 Lakh 7 Lakh
4 Unnatural sexual assault 4 Lakh 7 Lakh 82 LA GAZETTE DE L'ETAT [P ART–II
(1) (2)
(3) (4)
` `
5 Loss of any limb or part of body 2 Lakh 5 Lakh
resulting in 80% permanent disability
or above.
6 Loss of any limb or part of body 2 Lakh 5 Lakh
resulting in 40 % and belo w 8 0%
permanent disability.
7 Loss of any limb or part of body 1 Lakh 3 Lakh
resulting in above 20% and below
40% permanent disability.
8 Loss of any limb or part of body 1 Lakh 2 Lakh
resulting in below 20% permanent
disability.
9 Grievous physical injury or any mental 1 Lakh 2 Lakh
injury requiring rehabilitation.
1 0 Loss of foetus i.e., miscarriage as a 2 Lakh 3 Lakh
result of assault or loss of fertility.
11 In case of pregnancy on account 3 Lakh 4 Lakh
of rape.
1 2 Victims of Burning:
13 Victims of Acid Attack 83
PART–II] LA GAZETTE DE L'ETAT
Note: If, a woman victim of sexual assault/acid attack is
covered under one or more category of the Schedule, she shall be
entitled to be considered for combined value of the compensation.
(By order of the Lieutenant-Governor)
ASHWANI KUMAR,
Chief Secretary to Government.
————
ANNEXURE
FORM-I
Application for the Award of compensation under compensation
Scheme for Women Victims/Survivors of Sexual Assault/Other
Crimes, 2018 for Interim/Final Relief for Women
[See rule 5(2)]
1. Name of the Applicant [Victim(s) :
or her Dependent(s)].
2. Age of the [Victim(s) or her :
Dependent(s)].
3. (a) Father's Name :
(b) Mother's Name :
(c) Spouse's Name :
4. Address of the Victim(s) or :
her/their Dependent(s).
5. Date and time of the incident :
6. Whether FIR has been lodged? :
7. Whether medical examination :
has been done?
If yes, enclose Medical Report/ :
Death Certificate/Postmortem
Report.
84 LA GAZETTE DE L'ETAT [P ART–II
8. Status of trial, if pending. :
I f o v e r , e n c l o s e c o p y o f
judgment and order on sentence.
9. Has the applicant been awarded :
any compensation by the Trial
Court or any other Government
agency?
If yes, give details.
10. Give details of financial :
expenditure/loss incurred.
11. Have you instituted any Civil
Su i t / Cl a i m a g a i n s t t h e
perpetrator of offence.
If yes, give details.
Signature of the Victim/Dependent.
————
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