Sexual harassment: Rs 1 lakh relief each given to two minor victims

Tribune News Service

Mohali, December 13

The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Mohali, has awarded an interim compensation of Rs1 lakh each to two minor victims of sexual harassment.

Finding merit in both applications, the Special Court for POCSO cases, presided over by Ranjan Kumar Khullar, Additional District and Sessions Judge, Mohali, awarded a compensation of Rs1 lakh each to both victims aged seven and 10 years.

Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Baljinder Singh Maan said under the aegis of Justice Ajay Tewari, Judge, Punjab and Haryana High Court, and Executive Chairman, Punjab State Legal Services Authority, the District Legal Services Authority, Mohali, had been able to get the compensation released to both victims.

After reading news about the crime in newspapers about two FIRs registered under the POCSO Act at the Dera Bassi police station in November, 2021, Baljinder Singh Maan, on the directions of Mohali District and Sessions Judge Rajinder Singh Rai, immediately contacted the families and investigating officers.

Maan said separate applications in both cases for grant of interim compensation under Section 33(8) of the POCSO Act were filed by the District Legal Services Authority, Mohali, through its retainer lawyer Aksh Chetal on the very next day. He said after receiving the orders, the DLSA, Mohali, immediately made a request to the Punjab State Legal Services Authority, to place funds for the disbursement of amount. Arun Gupta, Member Secretary, Punjab State Legal Services Authority, immediately released the amount, which was given to the survivors without any delay.