Kochi, The Kerala High Court has directed the state government to release within five weeks the victim compensation amounts, totalling more than ₹ 9.73 crore in 225 cases, pending before it since September 16.
The bench ordered reconsideration of the mediators’ rates after the Kerala State Legal Services Authority told the court that the revised amounts are less than what were recommended by the Board of Governors.
Appropriate directions shall be issued to the secretaries of the District Legal Services Authorities concerned to ensure that there is no delay in processing and disbursing victim compensation in future”. The court also issued directions on the lack of proper infrastructure in the mediation centres across the state. The state government is directed to release the aforesaid amount, preferably within five weeks from date,” the bench added.
The bench directed the Member Secretary, KeLSA, to review the status of disbursement with the respective DLSAs every week and file a report on December 2, the next date of hearing. “It is reported that claims for victim compensation amounting to ₹ 9.73 crore in 225 cases arising up to July 2026 have been pending before the Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, since September 16, 2026.
The court also said, “The Member Secretary, KeLSA shall henceforth ensure that victim compensation is disbursed on time. “The Secretaries of the DLSAs are directed to collect all requisite documents from the victims at the time of adjudication itself, to obviate any further delay in processing and disbursing victim compensation,” the bench said. “The Finance Department shall release the said differential amount at the earliest. The Member Secretary, KeLSA, shall also file an affidavit reporting the disbursement of honorarium to the mediators and victim compensation,” the court said
