File reply, action taken report in 7/11 blast case: SHRC

Mumbai, July 2 (UNI) The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) today directed Principal Secretary (Rehabilitation) to file a reply and an action taken report before the commission on July 25 in response to a petition filed by former MP and BJP leader Kirit Somaiya seeking more compensation for all victims of the serial train blasts on July 11 last year.

Acting Chief Member of the commission C L Thool gave the directions while hearing a petition filed by Somaiya in which he has also prayed that the State government be directed to bear the medical expenses of the victims.

Two of the several blast victims are lying unconscious in the hospital while others are struggling to cover the medical expenses.

Both Parag Sawant who been admitted to P D Hinduja Hospital and Amit Singh, who is at Jaslok Hospital, since July 11 are lying unconscious there.

Parag's maternal uncle, Suresh Salukhe today told mediapersons outside the SHRC office here that Hinduja hospital was demanding Rs 3.75 lakh to perform an operation. However, the Railway officials say they have already given Rs 50,000 for treatment and they would not be able to provide more funds for the second or third operation.

Twenty-three year old Rajesh Jha told UNI that he had suffered a paralytic stroke on the left side of his body in the 7/11 blast and the marketing firm where he used to work has refused to take him back on job. That apart, the compensation of Rs 50,000 given to him by the Railways is insufficient as his medical expenditure is in the range of Rs 8000 to 10,000 per month.

Vinay Patil, whose hearing capability was affected due to the blasts cannot still hear properly despite an operation. He says the doctors have advised him to go in for another operation but he is financially strapped.

UNI