Bombay High Court Directs Integration Study of Manodhairya and Vatsalya Schemes for Sexual Assault Victims

Court Directive for Victim Rehabilitation

The Bombay High Court has instructed the Maharashtra government to explore the feasibility of integrating the state-run 'Manodhairya' scheme with the central government's 'Vatsalya' scheme. The bench, comprised of Justice Bharati Dangre and Justice Ashish Chavan, aims to ensure that victims of sexual assault, particularly those requiring medical procedures like abortion following an assault, receive seamless access to available government rehabilitation and financial support.

Key Objectives of the Proposed Integration

• Streamlined Access: The primary goal is to ensure that beneficiaries can access the benefits of both state and central schemes through a unified framework, preventing any victim from being excluded due to administrative gaps.
• Holistic Support: The court emphasized the necessity of a system that goes beyond financial aid, focusing on mental health recovery, formal education, skill-based vocational training, and employment to ensure the long-term self-reliance of survivors.
• Coordination Efforts: The court has asked the state Advocate General, Milind Sathe, to provide a detailed report on the coordination possibilities between the two schemes and has sought more time to document the steps taken by the Women and Child Development Department.

About the Manodhairya Scheme

Implemented by the Maharashtra State Legal Services Authority, the Manodhairya scheme provides financial aid of up to ₹10 lakh to victims of sexual assault and acid attacks. Over time, its scope has expanded to include victims of human trafficking under the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act and women suffering injuries from domestic accidents involving flammable substances.

Verification and Next Steps

The court has scheduled the next hearing for November 4 to review the progress of these consultations. Citizens or legal observers looking to verify the details of these proceedings or the specific parameters of these schemes should consult the official public notices published by the Bombay High Court or the website of the Maharashtra Department of Women and Child Development.