Delay in payment of victim compensation: Kerala HC warns of attaching state govt’s treasury accounts

Kochi: Noting the pending disbursement of around Rs 47 crore in victims' compensation, including to sexual assault survivors, the high court on Monday warned that if the funds are not released within a week, it would pass appropriate orders attaching the state govt's treasury accounts to the extent of the amount due.The court further directed the finance secretary to be personally present before it on March 23 with an affidavit explaining the reasons for not releasing the pending victims' compensation amount and the mediators' fees. A bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice V M Syam Kumar issued the directions while considering a suo motu petition initiated by high court regarding the non-disbursement of compensation to victims, including sexual assault survivors, as well as the payment of mediation fees.During the previous hearing, the court had directed the personal appearance of the home secretary in the matter. However, Biswanath Sinha, who appeared virtually on Monday, clarified that the home department is responsible for regulating, administering and monitoring the victims' compensation scheme and does not have the authority to grant financial sanctions. Accordingly, the division bench amended its earlier order by directing the finance secretary to be present before court. During an earlier hearing in Jan 2026, the state govt had assured the court that the issues pending with it regarding the release of mediators' fees and victims' compensation would be addressed on an urgent basis.While initiating the suo motu proceedings in 2025, the court had noted that the primary issues affecting mediation centres in the state include the lack of a permanent venue for conducting mediation, the inability to ensure privacy for parties to enable open communication, the lack of adequate physical and digital infrastructure, the inability to conduct online mediation due to the absence of internet connectivity or video-link facilities and a shortage of adequate permanent staff.