Wed Sep 03 13:57:25 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
The Madras High Court has suggested that senior citizens in Tamil Nadu who are victims of fraud should receive compensation from the Victim Compensation Fund if the police fail to recover their lost valuables and apprehend the culprits. Justice D. Bharatha Chakravarthy proposed a minimum compensation of 30% of the lost value or ₹5 lakh, whichever is less, arguing that the elderly are increasingly targeted and suffer significant distress. The suggestion arose from a case where a 68-year-old woman was swindled out of 17.5 sovereigns of gold. The court highlighted the importance of citizen protection under the new Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and recommended increasing the compensation amount under the Tamil Nadu Victim Compensation Scheme, which currently caps it at ₹1 lakh. In the petitioner’s case, the court awarded her ₹4 lakh in compensation, citing the current gold value and the circumstances of the theft, and ordered assistance in claiming the amount.
**News Article:**
**Madras High Court Suggests Compensation for Elderly Fraud Victims**
**Chennai, September 3, 2025** – The Madras High Court has proposed a landmark measure to protect vulnerable senior citizens in Tamil Nadu from financial fraud. In a recent ruling, Justice D. Bharatha Chakravarthy suggested that elderly individuals who fall prey to con artists should receive compensation from the Victim Compensation Fund if law enforcement fails to recover their stolen assets and apprehend the perpetrators.
The proposed compensation would be a minimum of 30% of the value of the stolen jewels or cash, or ₹5 lakh, whichever is lower. Justice Chakravarthy emphasized that this is a minimum amount and encouraged the Tamil Nadu government to consider higher compensation levels due to the rising incidence of scams targeting the elderly in public places and private residences.
The ruling stems from a petition filed by P. Krishnaveni, a 68-year-old resident of Tiruvallur district, who was defrauded of 17.5 sovereigns of gold jewelry in 2018. Despite ongoing investigations, police have been unable to trace the culprits.
“The court cannot turn away its gaze from the misery undergone by them,” stated Justice Chakravarthy, highlighting the significant mental distress suffered by senior citizens who are victims of such crimes. He also pointed to the new Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which emphasizes citizen protection, particularly for vulnerable groups like the elderly.
Furthermore, Justice Chakravarthy called for an increase in the current compensation cap of ₹1 lakh under the Tamil Nadu Victim Compensation Scheme, which was established in 2013. He deemed the current amount insufficient given the rise in crime and the increasing cost of living.
In Krishnaveni’s case, the court awarded her ₹4 lakh in compensation, based on the current market value of gold and the circumstances of the theft. The Tiruvallur District Legal Services Authority has been directed to assist her in claiming the compensation, which must be disbursed within 12 weeks.
This ruling marks a significant step towards safeguarding the financial security and well-being of senior citizens in Tamil Nadu, offering them a crucial safety net against the growing threat of fraudulent schemes.
First Piper 