LI Network
Published on: 27 July 2023 at 12:37 IST
The Chhattisgarh High Court has recently directed the State authorities to provide ₹6.5 lakh as compensation to the family of a 7-year-old child who tragically lost her life in 2018 due to a stray dog attack. The case, titled Vijay Das Manikpuri v. State of Chhattisgarh.
Justice Sahu acknowledged that the untimely and unfortunate death of a child cannot be measured or compensated with monetary compensation, as it brings perpetual grief to the child’s parents and family, leading to immense mental anguish and trauma.
The Court emphasized that the agony and suffering endured by a victim of a dog bite can only be truly understood or witnessed.
In this particular case, the Court observed that the child had experienced excruciating pain, suffering, mental agony, and loss of faculties as a result of the dog attack. A photograph presented during the proceedings depicted the severity of the child’s injuries.
The judge also referenced earlier orders issued by the High Court, wherein compensation was granted to families of victims in similar cases of stray dog bites.
Following this precedent, the single-judge order directed the State authorities to provide ₹6.5 lakh as compensation to the victim’s family within three months.
According to the Court’s findings, the child passed away in April 2018 while undergoing treatment after being attacked by a stray dog on her way back from school.
Initially, the family’s plea for compensation was turned down by a sub-divisional officer who cited the absence of provisions in the Revenue Book Circulars (RBC) for awarding compensation in stray dog bite cases.
Subsequently, the victim’s father approached the High Court seeking relief.
Considering the circumstances and previous rulings, the Court deemed it appropriate to award ₹6.5 lakh as ex gratia/compensation to the petitioner.
Advocate Dharmesh Shrivastava represented the victim’s father, while Government Advocate G Patel appeared for the State during the proceedings.
