R.Gowri v. The Secretary, District Legal Services Authority

ORDER Seeking to direct the respondents to sanction and disburse victim compensation to the petitioner who is victimized in Crime No.166 of 2024, in which the petitioner's husband was murdered in the Government hospital, by considering the petitioner's application dated 13.09.2024, this writ petition is filed.

¶2The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that already the petitioner's complaint has been received by the 1st respondent and the same is now pending before the 2nd respondent for consideration. However, so far no compensation has been granted. Hence, this writ petition.

¶3The learned Government Advocate(Crl.side) submitted that the same would be considered.

¶4Heard the learned counsel on either side and carefully perused the materials available on record.

¶5It is needless to point out that whenever a representation of this nature is made to a Statutory Authority, there is a duty cast upon the respondent to consider the same on its own merits and pass appropriate orders in one way or other instead of keeping the same pending indefinitely. As such, non-consideration of the representation made by the Statutory Authority would amount to dereliction of duty and hence, this Court will be justified in invoking the extraordinary powers under Article 226 of the Constitution of India.

¶6In view of the above, the 2nd respondent is directed to consider the petitioner's application, dated 13.09.2024 and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law, within a period of four (4) weeks from the date of receipt of copy of this order.

¶7With the above directions, this Writ Petition stands disposed of.

20.07.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No gbg TO:-

1.The Secretary, District Legal Services Authority, District Court Campus, Srivilliputtur, Virudhunagar District – 626 135.

2.The Chairman, Taluk Level Legal Services Committee, Court Buildings, Thiruchuli, Virudhunagar District – 626 129.

3.The Inspector of Police, Thiruchuli Police Station, Virudhunagar District.

4.The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.

L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J. gbg Dated

20.07.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 20.07.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI R.Gowri ... Petitioner Vs. 1.The Secretary, District Legal Services Authority, District Court Campus, Srivilliputtur, Virudhunagar District – 626 135. 2.The Chairman, Taluk Level Legal Services Committee, Court Buildings, Thiruchuli, Virudhunagar District – 626 129. 3.The Inspector of Police, Thiruchuli Police Station, Virudhunagar District. (Crime No.166 of 2024) ... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to sanction and disburse victim compensation to the petitioner / victim in Crime No.166 of 2024 by considering the petitioner's application dated 13.09.2024 under Section 396 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita within the time that may be stipulated by this Court. For Petitioner : Mr.R.Amrithraj For Respondents : Mr.D.Rajaboopathy Government Advocate (Crl.)