Is there compensation policy for terror victims?

New Delhi, Aug 11: The Supreme Court today asked the Centre whether it has any ''policy'' for compensating the victims of terrorist attacks.

A division bench of Justice S B Sinha and Justice Dalveer Bhandari put the question to additional Solicitor-General Gopal Subramaniam during of the hearing of a petition filed by Anjani Kedia, who was seriously injured in the bomb explosion at Sankatmochan Temple in Varanasi on March 7.

The apex court issued notices to the Centre and the state of Uttar Pradesh. Mr Subramaniam, while accepting the notice on behalf of the government, told the court, ''I will find out from the government whether it has any policy for giving compensation to the victims of the terror attacks and get back to this court.'' According to the petitioner, he had been given a meagre sum of Rs one lakh as compensation while he has already spent about Rs 5 lakhs on his treatment till date by taking loans from different sources. He said he was still undergiong treatment at P D Hindujs hospital in Mumbai as the treatment at BHU hospital, Varanasi, was casual and inadequate.

Mr Kedia also alleged that he had already written letters to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Mulayam Singh Yadav for financial help, but till date the authorities have not responded.

More than 50 people lost their lives and about 200 were injured in the terrorist attack on the temple which took place on a Tuesday, when there was a great rush of devotees.

The petitioner is seeking compensation from the state on the grounds that it has failed in its constitutional duty to protect and safeguard the life of the citizens of the country.

Senior Counsel Y P Singh, appearing for the petitioner, prayed to the apex court to direct the respondents to compensate Mr Kedia so that he may meet the expenses for his treatment and survival.

UNI

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