H.S. Thangkhiew, J.:— Mr. H. Kharmih, learned GA for the State respondents submits that inspite of repeated requests for instructions as to the compensation scheme for victims of mob/lynching violence, no instructions have been forthcoming.
2. Mention may be made that the judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court passed in the case of Tehseen S. Poonawalla v. Union of India reported in (2018) 9 SCC 501, wherein directions have been issued for the formulation of Compensation Scheme, is relevant in the instant case, an extract of which is quoted herein below:
“40.16. The State Governments shall prepare a lynching/mob violence victim compensation scheme in the light of the provisions of Section 357A of CrPC within one month from the date of this judgment. In the said scheme for computation of compensation, the State Governments shall give due regard to the nature of bodily injury, psychological injury and loss of earnings including loss of opportunities of employment and education and expenses incurred on account of legal and medical expenses. The said compensation scheme must also have a provision for interim relief to be paid to the victim(s) or to the next of kin of the deceased within a period of thirty days of the incident of mob/lynching.
40.17. The cases of lynching and mob violence shall be specifically tried by designated court/Fast Track Courts earmarked for that purpose in each district. Such courts shall hold trial of the case on a day to day basis. The trial shall preferably be concluded within six months from the date of taking cognizance. We may hasten to add that this direction shall apply to even pending cases. The District Judge shall assign those cases as far as possible to one jurisdictional court so as to ensure expeditious disposal thereof. It shall be the duty of the State Governments and the Nodal Officers in particular to see that the prosecuting agency strictly carries out its role in appropriate furtherance of the trial.”
3. Accordingly, on the absence of any instructions, the Secretary, Home (Police) Department, Shillong is directed to be present in Court on 15.03.2021, to apprise the Court in the instant matter.
4. List accordingly.
5. Copy of this order be also forwarded to the Secretary, Home (Police) Department.