3 minutes of readingBombayUpdated: Jan 29, 2026 01:09 am IST
The Bombay High Court on Tuesday directed the Maharashtra government to deposit Rs. 3.5 crore towards the still unpaid compensation to the victims recommended by the Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (MSHRC).
The court was hearing a PIL by advocate Satyam Atul Surana highlighting that the government is yet to pay the compensation recommended by the MSHRC in nearly 136 cases.
Surana, based on information received through the RTI application, submitted that the Commission had made more than 180 orders or recommendations to various departments of the state government, including the Home Department, and 136 were pending compliance with a total amount of almost Rs. 3.39 crores.
The PIL stated that the remaining orders are still pending with the government and there were any comments, reports or actions on the said recommendations. The petitioner sought fast action on MSHRC recommendations.
The MSHRC investigates or takes suo motu cognizance of cases of death in custody along with other incidents of human rights violations and recommends or orders compensation to the families of the deceased.
On December 12, a bench comprising Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam A Ankhad had observed: “In this public interest litigation a gloomy picture has been presented as to how the recommendations of the Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission for compensation to victims are pending and neglected.” The court had requested the State’s response to the statement.
Additional Government Advocate (AGP) Bhupesh P Samant informed the court on Tuesday that 15 of 86 recommendations related to the Home Department have been complied with, while 16 have been challenged before judicial forums and the rest are being examined.
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After Samant sought more time to respond, the court questioned the delay in taking action over the last 10 years and also pulled up the government for seeking adjournments in such matters. The court said it would impose a cost if the matter was sought to be adjourned for the next hearing.
Samant also said that states also need to set up a mechanism for future cases and in some cases compliance may not have been reported. Surana claimed the same amount for “administrative apathy.”
The court then directed the Principal Secretary, Home Department to deposit Rs. 3.5 crores in two weeks in court. The court also asked the authority to consult with the State Chief Secretary and appoint a nodal office to ensure compliance with the previous and future directives of the MSHRC.