Northeast Delhi riot-hit sought Rs 153 crore as relief, panel okayed Rs 21 crore; yet to get money

The petitioners’ counsel submitted before the court of Justice Sanjeev Narula that as per the Commission’s report received on July 15 this year, it had assessed and recommended compensation for approximately 1,731 claimants. While victim-claimants claimed a compensation amount totaling Rs 153 crore (1,53,69,18,232.45) before the Commission, it has recommended disbursal of only about Rs 21 crore (Rs 21,71,39,125.86) against the claimed amount.

Apart from the Commission, the GNCTD in March 2020 also announced its own scheme for providing aid to the victims.

The Delhi government’s counsel submitted before the court that though the sub-divisional magistrate’s office analysed the data in the Commission’s report, it finds it difficult to give its comments on the NEDRCC’s recommendations in the absence of an estimate of the sum already paid by the government to the victims.

Justice Narula then directed the SDM offices to coordinate with the NEDRCC to seek necessary information to link the records, adding that the exercise be completed within four weeks.

The court posted the matter for further consideration on January 7.

The riots, which broke out in February 2020 following protests related to the Citizenship Amendment Act and National Register of Citizens, left 53 dead and over 700 injured.

In May 2020, the HC appointed Justice Sunil Gaur (retd) as Claims Commissioner to estimate the damage caused as well as to investigate the liability of public property damaged during the riots in Northeast Delhi. In December 2023, Justice (retd) Asha Menon was appointed as the Claims Commissioner.

Notably, a July 25, 2023, order of the HC had recorded that “serious concerns regarding the manner of functioning of the Commission have been raised”. “Concerns have also been raised that claimants/victims have not been paid the ex-gratia compensation,” it added.