A Sonipat trial court has awarded ₹1 lakh in interim compensation to a 17-year-old survivor under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, reinforcing her constitutional right to education.
The ruling, delivered by Additional Sessions Judge Narender, ensures the amount is placed in a fixed deposit and used solely for the survivor’s educational and vocational training needs. The sum will later be adjusted with any final compensation determined at the trial’s conclusion.
The survivor, who worked as a domestic helper, was allegedly assaulted by her employer. Her family faced ongoing intimidation from the accused and pressure from neighbors to withdraw the case. The trauma left her unable to continue working, while her mother also struggled with social isolation, forcing them to rely solely on the father’s daily wages.
The plea for financial aid was contested by both the accused and the State. The accused dismissed the allegations as false, while the State argued that the family was not entirely without income and had already received ₹20,000 from a Child Welfare Committee. The government also expressed concerns over the financial burden of granting interim compensation in every case.
However, the court ruled in favor of the survivor, emphasizing that financial hardship should not obstruct her education. Citing constitutional provisions, the judge stated, “Education is her fundamental right.”
Legal aid for the survivor was provided by a child rights clinic at Jindal Global Law School (JGLS), which played a pivotal role in navigating the legal process. The case saw active involvement from faculty members, legal aid lawyers, and student attorneys, who facilitated communication between the survivor’s family, law enforcement, and the judiciary.
JGLS leadership highlighted the case as an example of clinical legal education driving social change. They underscored their commitment to embedding legal education in community-based advocacy, ensuring that marginalized individuals receive sustained legal support.
