Lawyers have moved an application before the chairperson of District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), seeking compensation for the victim of the Pune bus rape case as per provisions of the Manodhairya Scheme, 2017.
Advocates Asim Sarode, Shriya Awale, Ramesh Taru, Arahant Dhotre submitted the application on behalf of the victim on Saturday.
On February 25, a 26-year-old woman was raped twice by the accused in a government-operated Shivshahi bus stationed at Swargate depot in Pune city in the early hours of the day. The victim lodged the FIR in this case at Swargate police station under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections 64, 351 (2). Following leads obtained during investigation, the police arrested the accused Dattatraya Ramdas Gade (37) of Gunat village in Shirur taluka of Pune district on February 28.
In the application filed before DSLA on behalf of the victim, Sarode mentioned the details of salary. It stated that “severe mental injury inflicted on her mind has resulted in trauma, loss of confidence and self-esteem which has led to loss of income. The unfortunate incident has made her economically vulnerable and this is not just an economical loss but it has dented her courage and capacity to earn, as she is under tremendous trauma and fear.”
The application further mentioned that the victim is currently not working and hence, it is the obligation of the state to provide immediate financial assistance to her. It also stated the victim has to travel to various authorities including the police station, crime branch, Sassoon Hospital, court at multiple occasions, which added to her financial burden.
Advocate Sarode said the Manodhairya scheme plays an important role in the victim’s rehabilitation. “The DLSA is empowered to order immediate first-aid facility, medical benefits to be made available free of cost to the victim. As per the law, an interim relief should be granted within 7 days of the matter being brought to notice of the authority. Compensation should be paid within eight days of the passing of the said order. But, till today the victim has not received any interim relief and hence, the application seeking compensation has been filed,” said Sarode.
The application also mentions that the victim has not yet received the copy of the medical examination report and the copy of her statement recorded by the magistrate. “This DLSA is empowered to call for the copies of the same from the concerned Police Station and provide it to the victim. It is tiresome and mentally exhaustive for the victim to run from pillar to post to demand her rights…,” the application stated.
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On March 6, Judicial magistrate first class (JMFC) T S Gaigole rejected the application filed by the victim in the Pune bus rape case, seeking a “restraining order” against the “statements uttered in public and on social media”, leading to her “character assassination”. Gaigole stated that the present court was not empowered to decide this application.
Advocate Sarode, who represented the victim before the court, said they moved a similar application before the Pune district collector and Commissioner of Pune City Police asking them to issue a restraining order against the statements causing character assassination of the victim. “But the order has not been passed yet,” he said.
Meanwhile, the court has remanded accused Gade to judicial custody.