Not Compulsory To Forward Claims For Victim Compensation To Administration Through Legal Services Authority (LSA): Orissa High Court
In Sukuludei Santa v. Govt. of Odisha & Ors. (W.P.(C) No. 12252 of 2022), the Orissa High Court ruled that a victim need not submit compensation claims through Legal Services Authorities (LSA). It also clarified that LSAs help claimants make administrative representations.
Brief Facts Of The Case: 67-year-old petitioner, whose husband was murdered in 2019, and after his murder, the petitioner applied for victim compensation at DLSA, Koraput. She approached the DLSA multiple times, but staff told her they hadn’t received any such order. She then requested RTI information from the DLSA Office, which confirmed that the petitioner had a victim compensation case. Getting no good outcomes from the DLSA, the petitioner was forced to seek the High Court under its writ authority to resolve her problems.
Mr. S. Bag, petitioner’s counsel, said his client is the murdered victim’s widow. By writ, she claimed victim compensation. His client contacted the District Legal Services Authority, and the Case was recorded. His client moved to the High Court since nothing had transpired. Mr. A.K. Sharma, Additional Government Advocate for the State, said the Legal Services Authority should forward the petitioner’s case.
Judgement: The court recognised the petitioner’s 13 April’s FIR and 9 April’s death certificate. Also, the said FIR was filed against unknown persons. Perusal of the FIR revealed that the occurrence of offence reported to be between 9th April, 2019 and 10th April, 2019. Information received at the police station on 13th April, 2019. The court noticed the FIR informant is the deceased’s uncle. First, the deceased went missing on April 9 at 8 p.m. and was found the next day in Bhaga Santa’s field. The death certificate says 9 April 2019, so the body was found.
It clarified that the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 does not require DLSAs/LSAs to process victim compensation applications. Therefore, it recommends party no. 3., and that the Petitioner will deliver the order to party 3. The court further said that the opposing party must consider the petitioner’s compensation claim, recommend immediate payment, and notify her within three weeks of approach.
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JUDGEMENT REVIEWED BY PRAKIRTI JENA