PANAJI
Victims of rape, human trafficking and other crimes causing severe mental agony to women and children can receive up to Rs 10 lakh under the Goa Victim Compensation Scheme, 2026. However, compensation can be denied if victims fail to cooperate with police or courts, wilfully turn hostile or if the claim appears prima facie collusive.
New framework
The government has notified the new scheme, replacing the 2012 framework.
Compensation slabs
Injuries causing severe mental agony to women and children, including rape and human trafficking, attract up to Rs 10 lakh. Acid attack victims can receive up to Rs 5 lakh for facial disfigurement and Rs 3.5 lakh to Rs 4.5 lakh for other injuries.
Up to Rs 2 lakh is provided when the sole earning member dies, leaving minor or unemployed children. Loss of a limb or body part causing 40-80 per cent or over 80 per cent disability carries up to Rs 50,000. Lynching or mob violence attracts Rs 50,000 to Rs 2 lakh, depending on injury, disability or death.
Claim conditions
Compensation is not automatic. The State or District Legal Services Authority can reject claims if applicants fail to inform or cooperate with police or courts, do not assist authorities, make duplicate or pending claims, turn hostile, or submit claims based on prima facie collusive or unverifiable facts.
Covered cases
The scheme covers court-recommended compensation, unidentified or untraced offenders where the victim is identified and no trial takes place, death of a minor victim and acquittals due to insufficient or lack of evidence.
Application process
Applications must be made to the State or District Legal Services Authority in the prescribed form with documents such as the FIR or complaint, medical report, death certificate and court complaint, where applicable. Claims must be verified and decided within two months.
Interim relief
Immediate free first aid or medical treatment can be ordered as interim relief on a certificate from an officer not below station-house officer rank or a Magistrate.
Time limits
Applications should ordinarily be filed within 180 days, though delays may be condoned for sufficient cause. Appeals against District Legal Services Authority decisions can be filed with the State authority within 90 days.
Funding mechanism
The scheme creates a Victim Compensation Fund through annual government budgetary allocations, with the State Legal Services Authority responsible for disbursement.
Court-ordered payment
If a trial court later orders the accused to pay compensation, the victim must refund the lesser of the scheme amount received or the court-awarded amount and provide an undertaking to this effect.
