The Allahabad High Court has issued a stern reprimand to the District Magistrate (DM) of Meerut for failing to expedite the compensation process for an acid attack victim. In a recent ruling, the court underscored the necessity for immediate action and better oversight from the Uttar Pradesh government to prevent such delays in the future.
The court’s directive came in response to a petition by Rajneeta, an acid attack survivor from Meerut, who has been seeking an additional compensation of Rs 1 lakh entitled to her under the Prime Minister National Relief Fund since her attack in December 2013. Despite the passage of over a decade, Rajneeta has faced significant hurdles in obtaining the full compensation owed to her, which is meant to cover extensive medical costs incurred from severe burns to her eyes, chest, neck, and face.
Justices Shekhar B Saraf and Vipin Chandra Dixit, presiding over the matter, expressed deep concern over the apparent administrative negligence. The bench has ordered the Meerut DM to submit critical documents, including the victim’s medical report and the FIR filed about the incident, to the Women Safety Division under the Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi, within one week.
Highlighting the urgency of the situation, the court noted, “It is extremely alarming that the incident occurred in 2013, and despite some initial compensation, the amount does not nearly cover the medical and surgical expenses needed. It is imperative that the additional compensation be provided to the petitioner at the earliest.”
Furthermore, the Allahabad High Court has asked the Uttar Pradesh government to circulate a directive to all district magistrates across the state, emphasizing the importance of adhering to compensation protocols and ensuring no further delays in such critical matters.
