Thu Nov 06 19:57:48 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a rewritten news article based on the provided text:
Summary:
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has issued a notice to the Tamil Nadu state government regarding a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition. The petition, filed by a law student, challenges the state’s current compensation scheme for victims under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The petitioner argues that the compensation amounts outlined in a government order (G.O.) are not on par with the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) Scheme, leading to inadequate and inconsistent financial relief for victims. The PIL seeks a direction for the government to revise its G.O. and align its compensation scheme with the NALSA guidelines to ensure fair and timely support for child sexual abuse victims.
News Article:
Madurai High Court Orders Notice on POCSO Compensation Discrepancy
MADURAI, November 7, 2025 – The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has issued a notice to the Tamil Nadu government concerning the state’s compensation scheme for victims of sexual abuse under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The action comes in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by F. Sharmila Banu, a law student from Sellur, Madurai.
The petition argues that the current Government Order (G.O.) governing the Tamil Nadu Child Victim Compensation Fund, established in 2020, provides compensation amounts that are inconsistent and often lower than those prescribed by the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) Scheme. While the G.O. stipulates a minimum interim compensation of ₹20,000 and a range of ₹50,000 to ₹10,00,000, the petitioner claims that actual awards frequently fall below the minimum threshold.
Justices Anita Sumanth and C. Kumarappan, presiding over the Division Bench, heard the petitioner’s argument that this discrepancy leads to inadequate and uneven financial support for child sexual abuse survivors. The PIL calls for the court to direct the Tamil Nadu government to revise its G.O. and align its compensation scheme with the NALSA Compensation Scheme for Women Victims/Survivors of Sexual Assault/other Crimes, 2018.
Banu contends that a standardized and adequately funded compensation scheme is essential to provide timely and fair financial relief to victims. She further argued that until such a scheme is implemented, the state should follow the NALSA guidelines, as per a Supreme Court judgment, ensuring victims receive just compensation.
The court’s decision to issue a notice to the state government marks a significant step in addressing potential inadequacies in the support system for child sexual abuse victims in Tamil Nadu.
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