SC seeks Chandigarh's response on compensation to minor mom

The Supreme Court on Friday sought the Chandigarh administration's response on a plea seeking compensation to a 10-year-old who gave birth to a baby girl after being raped.

The baby was born on Thursday.

A bench of Justice Madan B. Lokur and Justice Deepak Gupta sought the Union Territory's response on the plea by senior counsel and amicus curiae Indira Jaising, who urged the court to fix Rs 10 lakh as compensation for the victim.

Notice has also been issued to Chandigarh Legal Services Authority and National Legal Service Authority (NALSA).

Pointing to the trauma of pregnancy that the 10-year-old child must have undergone, Jaising said: "Her pelvis region can't even bear the burden of a child."

Urging the court to give "some guidance" to doctors in dealing with such cases of pregnancy, she said: "Doctors are not doing (what they should do) due to chilling effect of law."

She said doctors should provide mandatory treatment in such cases.

Jaising also expressed dismay at the paltry Rs 10,000 the Chandigarh administration gave to the parents of the rape victim.

She took exception to Chandigarh administration saying that they would pay the compensation amount only after the chargesheet has been filed -- a stand described as "absurd" by the court.

Jaising told the bench that out of Rs 10 lakh, Rs 3 lakh should be released immediately to meet the victim's requirements and the balance kept in an interest bearing fixed deposit account that could be utilised by the girl's father for her benefit.

Seeking the fast tracking of the trial of the accused under the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, Jaising sought direction that all possible assistance be extended to the parents of the girl in placing the newborn for adoption, if they so desired.

She also urged the court to direct that the name of the parents and minor mother be prohibited from all publications and there is no reporting of the trial in the case.

Jaising has also sought direction to Chandigarh administration to give appropriate compensation for her education, post therapeutic care, vocation and rehabilitation.

The matter will come up for hearing on August 22.

--IANS

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