The Supreme Court on Friday (May 11) directed Central government to peruse the scheme framed by NALSA to recover funds under the Nirbhaya Fund for the distribution of it to the sexual assault victims.

The court’s directions came after the Central government’s counsel said that with regard to recovery of the funds, it had invoked Section 431 CrPC (Money ordered to be paid recoverable as fine) and will be taken up by lower courts.

“The Scheme is ready and should be implemented by all state government and union territories. Ministry of Women and Child Development and Principal Secretaries of all states should take steps to implement it as soon as possible,” the bench comprising of Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta said.

The bench was hearing petitions raising concerns over the safety and security of women.

During the course of proceedings, Senior counsel Indira Jaising said that Centre cleared Rs 3500 crore fund under the Nirbhaya Scheme but only states have received funds so far. Moreover, DSLSA gets fund directly but for other states the procedure for getting fund is quite long. Only 2-3 sexual assault victims get funds. The victims’ compensation which are pending since 2013 till date should be disbursed as way of interim relief.

To which the bench said, that they will hear the matter in July.

—India Legal Bureau