The Maharashtra government will, on Monday, file its reply in the Bombay High Court in response to a petition seeking compensation of Rs 15 lakh to a 17-year-old victim who was allegedly raped by police constable Sunil More at Marine Drive police chowky on April 21.
The victim had recently moved the High Court seeking compensation of Rs 15 lakh from the state government for violation of her right to life and personal liberty. Hearing the matter, the bench headed by Chief Justice Dalveer Bhandari had asked the state government to file its reply on the petition.
The state contended that State Human Rights Commission has already, suo moto, ordered the government to pay Rs 3 lakh as compensation and the petitioner is now seeking additional compensation.
The court issued notice to More, who has since been dismissed, asking him to state why the petition seeking compensation should not be admitted in the court. The bench also said the identity of the victim should be protected in the court.
While More has challenged his dismissal in Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal, the trial in the case has begun in the sessions court with the police framing charges against him. The High Court has directed expeditious trial and suggested to complete it before April 30, 2006.
