State Must Pay Compensation to Biju: State Human Rights Commission

KOCHI:
High Court of Kerala, on Tuesday, dismissed the appeal filed by Kerala Government against an interim order to pay 50% of compensation to P.S. Biju, victim of stray dog menace in Mala Grama Panchayat, Thrissur.
On 3-Mar-2017, Kerala Government had undertaken before the Supreme Court to pay compensation within four weeks to all claimants as per the third report of Justice Siri Jagan Committee. Thereafter, Kerala Government issued an order directing the local bodies to pay compensation as per the report by 31-May-17. Challenging this order, Mala Grama Panchayat filed a Writ Petition before Kerala High Court to quash the order directing the Panchayat to pay compensation of Rs. 18,74,500 to P. S. Biju.
On 15-Dec-2017, a Single Bench of Kerala High Court passed an interim order directing the Kerala Government, being the master, to pay 50% of compensation due to Biju pending disposal of the Writ Petition. The government filed an appeal against this interim order before Kerala High Court. On 20-Feb-2018 (Tuesday), having regard to the undertaking given by the government before the Supreme Court and finding no illegality in the interim order, Chief Justice’s Bench dismissed the appeal.
On 22-Feb-2018 Kerala Human Rights Commission registered a case and directed the Chief Secretary and Secretary to Local Self Government Department to disburse the compensation due to Biju by 8-Mar-2018 and report compliance. It is sheer injustice on the part of the Government in showing a lukewarm response in disbursement of compensation to really deserving victim. Having undertaken before the Supreme Court that they shall disburse amount to all dog bite victims, they are estopped from taking a diametrically opposite contention here,. Mohanadas, Acting Chairperson of Kerala Human Rights Commission held. The petition on behalf of P.S. Biju regarding violation of his human rights was moved by Dr. George Sleeba, Secretary of Stray Dog Free Movement chaired by Kochouseph Chittilappilly.