LUCKNOW, Aug. 20 -- Taking a tough view of the delay in payment of compensation to rape victims, the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court has directed the district magistrates of Sitapur and Bahraich to consider the cases of the victims for grant of compensation within one month. If found entitled, the compensation shall be paid within 10 days thereafter, the court directed.

A division bench comprising Justice Alok Mathur and Justice Amitabh Kumar Rai passed the orders on August 18 while allowing two petitions filed separately by rape victims from Sitapur and Bahraich. The petitions sought directions to pay compensation under the Uttar Pradesh Rani Lakshmi Bai Mahila Samman Kosh Rules, 2015, and fix accountability of officials respo...