R. Rajaram

TIRUCHI: A total sum of Rs.3 lakh was distributed under the Victim Compensation Fund to the legal heirs of murder victims here on Wednesday.

Financial assistance amounting to Rs.25, 000 was handed over to each of the 12 legal heirs of murder victims by the Superintendent of Prisons, Central Prison, Tiruchi, D. Palani in his chamber inside the prison premises in the presence of Regional Probation Officer, Tiruchi, B. Thiagarajan, Probation Officers and Prison Department personnel.

The Victim Compensation Fund is created from 20 per cent of the wages deducted from the prisoners employed in jail industries or engaged in maintenance work in a prison.

Legal heirs of murder victims who received the financial assistance on Wednesday hailed from places including Lalgudi, Tiruvarur, Kallagam in Ariyalur district, Manamadurai in Sivaganga district, Keeripatti in Salem district, Pattukottai in Thanjavur district.

Prison Department authorities said the District Level Committee comprising District Collector as the chairman recommends the cases that were entitled for victim compensation along with the quantum of compensation to the Director General of Police, Prisons / Additional Director General of Police, Prisons for his approval.

The other members of the committee are Superintendent of Central Prisons- who is the member secretary; Superintendent of Police and Regional Probation Officer. Financial assistance under the Victim Compensation Fund is given to the victims or in the case of the death of victim to the legal heirs for the livelihood of the family of the victim.

The authorities said financial assistance had also been allocated under the Victim Compensation Fund to Central Prisons at Puzhal in Chennai, Cuddalore and Madurai besides the Special Prison for Women, Puzhal.