2. Tripura Government pays compensation to gang rape victim

Acting on the recommendation of the Commission, the Government of Tripura has paid Rs.50,000/- as immediate relief to a victim of gang rape.
The Commission took cognizance of a complaint from an NGO received on 4 June 2003 alleging that a 16-year Reang girl was tortured and gang raped by 3 Special Police Officers (SPOs) on the night of 26 May 2003 near Manoranjan Das Para Camp, Dalai District, Tripura.
The Commission called for a report from the DGP Tripura, which revealed that the medical examination of the girl stated that she was sexually assaulted but could not confirm the rape charge. The DGP's report also stated that acting on the complaint filed by the victim's mother, a case against the three accused had been registered at Raishyabari police station. The police have arrested the accused persons who have been sent to jail. Moreover the guilty officers were discharged from service with effect from 3 June 2003.
Based on the observations in the report, the Commission then issued a show cause notice to the Chief Secretary, Government of Tripura on 21 July 2004 as to why interim relief be not granted to the victim for the brutal sexual assault carried out by the SPOs.
In response, the Home Department, Government of Tripura reported that an amount of Rs.15,000/- has been paid to the rape victim by way of compensation.
The Commission, on 15 September 2004 directed that the compensation of Rs.15,000/- paid to the victim is too meagre. The offence of rape not only amounts to violation of the body of the victim but it also tends to violate the mind and scars the psyche of a person permanently. Besides it carries a social stigma for the victim and her family. Thus, keeping in view the gravity of the repercussions of rape on the victim and her family, the Commission recommended payment of Rs.50,000/- as 'immediate relief' to the victim after the adjustment of Rs.15,000/- already paid.
The Government of Tripura informed the Commission that an amount of Rs.35,000/- has also been paid to the victim in addition to the earlier amount of Rs.15,000/- bringing the total amount paid to Rs.50,000/- as directed by the Commission.