The Court directs the State Govt to provide a current status report on compensation distribution in four districts

RANCHI: The Jharkhand High Court has demanded a response from the state government regarding the disbursement of compensation to victims of the 1984 Sikh massacre in four districts within the state. The Court has instructed the government to present a recent status report on this matter, scheduling the next hearing for October 13.

During the latest hearing, a bench led by Chief Justice Sanjay Kumar Mishra, in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Satnam Singh Gambhir, inquired whether the government had established a one-member commission to investigate cases related to compensating the massacre victims and what actions had been taken based on the commission's report.

Notably, Advocate Piyush Chitresh, representing the state government, informed the court that compensation distribution had commenced in three districts, Ranchi, Palamu, and Ramgarh, while additional funds were required for the distribution in Bokaro. The Payment Process for compensation in Bokaro would initiate promptly upon receiving the necessary funds.

In Prior Proceedings, the state government had been directed to provide a status report. The government informed during the earlier hearing that, following the High Court's directive, a one-member commission under the chairmanship of retired Justice D.P. Singh was established. The commission has submitted its report to the state government, detailing compensation orders for the affected individuals in four districts, Ranchi, Ramgarh, Bokaro, and Palamu, affected by the Sikh riots in Jharkhand.