Delhi High Court Orders Interest Payment to 1984 Anti-Sikh Riot Victim

The Delhi High Court directed the Centre to pay interest at a yearly rate of 10% within six weeks on delayed compensation to a 1984 anti-Sikh riots victim. The appellant's house was ransacked during the riots, and despite a 2015 court-ordered compensation of Rs 1 lakh, he faced administrative delays. The court imposed additional costs on the central government.

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed the Centre to pay within six weeks the interest on the delayed compensation to a 1984 anti-Sikh riots victim, observing that the appellant and his family had suffered initially due to the rioters and later because of an ''insensitive and callous'' administration.

The court mandated an annual interest rate of 10 per cent for the period starting April 8, 2016, to January 16, 2006, marking the timeline between the ex-gratia compensation release and the announcement of the Rehabilitation Policy.

A bench led by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan imposed Rs 25,000 as costs on the central government while addressing the victim's appeal against a former order that dismissed his entitlement to interest.

(With inputs from agencies.)