Jharkhand HC directs state to pay Rs.1 lakh to rape victim

The Jharkhand High Court on Saturday directed the state to pay Rs.1 lakh as financial assistance to the family of a nine-year-old rape victim.

The court took suo motu cognizance of a local media report, which appeared on Saturday, that said the father of the victim carried her on foot for treatment.

According to the report, the father, a resident of Hatiapata village of West Singhbhum district, which is round 170 km from here, carried his daughter by foot to hospital, traversing a distance of four kilometres.

The father is a daily wage labourer and he does not own even a bicycle.

A special court session was held at Jharkhand HC Chief Justice Virender Singh's residence on Saturday. The Chief Justice directed the state to pay Rs.1 lakh as financial assistance and inform about its compliance on September 1.

The next hearing would be held on September 1. The court also sought a detailed report from the West Singhbhum administration.

The victim was allegedly raped in early July by a 42-year-old driver, who lured her by offering chocolates. The perpetrator left the girl in the jungle as she was bleeding profusely.

The victim was initially referred to a Ranchi hospital for treatment and some of her organs were reportedly removed by the doctors in Ranchi to save her life.

She later returned to her village but still requires treatment.