Allahabad HC Slams ‘Apathy’ of UP Officials; Orders Rs. 5 Lakh Compensation to Rape Survivor
Court said officials’ “reprehensible delay” in releasing the compensation for the victim defeated the very purpose of the Rani Lakshmi Bai victim compensation scheme
The Allahabad High Court directs UP government to release Rs. 5 lakh to minor rape survivor after 'reprehensible' delay in compensation decision.
The Allahabad High Court, Lucknow Bench, recently directed the Uttar Pradesh government to pay Rs. 5 lakh to a minor rape survivor after finding that officials had failed to release even the statutory compensation due under the Rani Lakshmi Bai Mahila Samman Kosh Rules, 2015, despite clear timelines.
A bench of Justices Shekhar B. Saraf and Prashant Kumar termed the delay “reprehensible” and held that the “laissez-faire attitude” of the officials concerned warranted both accountability and penalty.
Court not only directed payment of Rs. 3 lakh to the victim within three days but also imposed an additional Rs. 2 lakh as compensation for the inordinate delay in processing the payment.
A minor girl, represented through her father, moved the court complaining that despite the charge sheet being filed months earlier, she had not received a single rupee under the State’s victim compensation scheme.
The incident occurred on May 8, 2025, and the FIR was lodged the same day. The charge sheet followed on June 25, 2025, triggering a statutory obligation on the authorities to disburse Rs. 1 lakh within 15 days and the remaining Rs. 2 lakh within a month thereafter.
However, by September, when no action was taken, the victim filed a writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution seeking judicial intervention. Counsel for the petitioner argued that the delay was in gross violation of the Rani Lakshmi Bai Rules, which were designed to ensure prompt financial support to women victims of violent crimes.
The State’s counsel informed the court that the authorities had sought the victim’s bank details only after the petition was filed i.e. on September 14, 2025, and that the account information was provided on October 16. Yet, as of October 27, no payment had been made.
Expressing disbelief, the bench observed that “one is unable to understand the apathy of the police officers and statutory authorities” who failed to release compensation meant to alleviate the pain and financial distress of a rape survivor.
Court underscored that the purpose of such beneficial schemes is to ensure immediate relief and medical support, and that bureaucratic delays only deepen the trauma.
“Victims not only go through physical pain and anguish but also suffer severe mental trauma. The act of delaying payments under such beneficial legislation further adds to their agony,” the bench noted.
Finding that the conduct of the officials amounted to “egregious procrastination,” the High Court held that those responsible must be held personally accountable.
It therefore ordered the Principal Secretary, Women Welfare Department, to ensure immediate release of Rs. 3 lakh within three days and an additional Rs. 2 lakh within 15 days as compensation for the delay. The government was given the liberty to deduct this amount from the erring officers and take departmental action against them.
Case Title: Victim X Thru. Next Best Friend Her Father vs. State Of U.P. Thru. Prin. Secy. Women Welfare Deptt. Lko. And Another
Order Date: October 27, 2025
Bench: Justices Shekhar B. Saraf and Prashant Kumar