Tamil Nadu: HC orders Rs 12 lakh compensation to Dalit youth’s family after caste-based suicide

The Madras High Court ordered full compensation of Rs 12 lakh to the family of a Dalit youth who committed suicide in front of the Melpadi police station in 2022 after an officer publicly humiliated him on the basis of his caste.

Justice GK Ilanthirayan passed the order recently on a petition filed by R Maghi, the mother of the victim Sharatkumar. Sub-inspector Karthik humiliated him as Sharatkumar’s brother was in love with an upper caste girl.

A case was registered under certain sections of the IPC and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. However, a closure report was filed in the special court stating that “further proceedings were discontinued” and the victim’s mother filed a protest petition against it. He also filed a petition seeking full compensation under the SC/ST (POA) Rules, including ex-gratia of Rs 3.75 lakh as per the government order of 2022. Holding that the petitioner is entitled to full compensation, the judge ordered the concerned authorities to pay the remaining Rs 10.70 lakh within four weeks. (Help for those with suicidal thoughts is available on Tamil Nadu Health Department’s helpline 104 and Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050)

Courtesy : Hindi News