Today, Delhi High Court sought a status report from the North-East Delhi Riots Claims Commission (NEDRCC), regarding the details of the claims received by it from the victims. The Court also directed them to submit the status amounts disbursed to them. The Bench of Justice Prathiba M Singh also directed the Secretary of the Claims Commission to place on record the procedure followed by it in processing the applications for claims and award of compensation.

“Let a status report be placed on record within four weeks,” the court said.

Case Brief:

In the said matter, the petitions filed by victims before the Hon'ble Court seeking compensation in accordance with the State Government  “Assistance Scheme for the Help of Riot Victims.” The said scheme was introduced by the Delhi Government to compensate and assist the victims of the riots. It provides for compensation for the death of a major or minor, permanent incapacitation, serious or minor injuries and loss of property.

The Counsel member submitted that the office of the Claims Commission has conducted surveys in some of the cases and the amounts awarded are much below as fixed under the Delhi government’s scheme.

On the other hand, the Delhi government’s standing counsel Samir Vashisht submitted that the Claims Commission has been assessing the claims and that a status report can be called for complete details regarding the progress of the applications so far.

Considering that the petitioners are persons with various financial constraints, Justice Singh observed that the Claims Commission ought to proceed expeditiously in the matters.

The court observed that before proceeding to hear the petitions, it would be appropriate to call for the status report to ascertain what the Claims Commission has been doing with the applications received by the victims.

“I want to see what the commission is doing and then proceed to hear the matter,” the court said while listing the matter on April 28.