State to reclaim financial aid given to 3 rape survivors under Manodhairya scheme for turning hostile during trial
The Manodhairya scheme was introduced by state govt in 2013 to provide financial assistance and rehabilitate survivors of rape, sexual assault and acid attacks.
Sonal Patil, Pune secretary of District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), said, "The three rape survivors received Rs 3 lakh each in 2017, 2019 and 2023 under the scheme. Initially, they got Rs 75,000 each when filing the FIR and the remaining Rs 2.25 lakh each was kept in 10-year fixed deposits in their names in a public sector bank."
She said during the trial, the survivors contradicted their earlier statements and failed to support the prosecution, leading to the acquittal of the accused. "DLSA received reports from the respective courts or police stations recommending that the financial aid under the Manodhairya scheme given to the survivors be withdrawn," Patil said.
DLSA informed the Manodhairya committee, led by principal district and sessions judge Mahendra Mahajan, that the survivors had refused to support the prosecution's case in a meeting on May 6. The committee then decided to withdraw the financial aid given to them.
According to Patil, the Manodhairya scheme requires survivors to cooperate with the prosecution and maintain consistent testimony to retain financial aid. If they deviate, govt can reclaim the amount with interest, as per guidelines from the Maharashtra State Legal Services Authority of Feb 22, 2018 and a govt resolution of Jan 1, 2024.
Consequently, DLSA issued notices to the survivors and their parents to recover the financial aid given under the scheme. "The fixed deposits kept in a public sector bank in the survivors' names will be cancelled or reclaimed," she said.
If the survivors failed to comply with the notices issued, DLSA would issue directions to the district collector to take action against them or their parents by auctioning their property to recover the financial aid granted under the provisions of the Land Reference Law, she said.
A five-member committee comprising officials from legal aid, women and child development, non-governmental organisations and senior advocates would be constituted to study the hostility rate.
GRAPHIC
The Manodhairya committee, in its meeting held on May 6, decided on 48 applications received from survivors in sexual assault cases
In two cases relating to murder and suicide, the committee awarded financial aid of Rs 10 lakh each
In 14 cases relating to sexual assault reported in the district, the committee awarded financial assistance of Rs 3 lakh each.
In eight cases, the committee rejected the applications for awarding financial aid either due to lack of evidence or because they refused to record their statements before magisterial courts in a bid to support the accused
In two cases, the committee will take a call to award financial aid to the survivor on receiving medical reports from the govt hospital
In three cases, the committee issued orders to recover the financial aid from the survivors for turning hostile
In 19 cases, the committee awarded financial assistance to survivors ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh each
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