Question

Chairman, Railway Board v. Chandrimadas case relates to ______.

• A. Compensation to women
• B. Compensation to children
• C. Compensation to rape victim
• D. Compensation for custodial deaths

Hint:

In cases involving victim compensation, focus on the principles of justice and human rights that govern restitution for harm, especially in sensitive cases like rape.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

The case of Chairman, Railway Board v. Chandrimadas primarily deals with the compensation to a rape victim. The Supreme Court of India, in this case, upheld the payment of compensation to a rape victim under the principles of restitution and protection of fundamental rights, thereby ensuring that such victims are compensated for their physical, emotional, and psychological harm.

Answer 2

Case Background:
The case of Chairman, Railway Board v. Chandrimadas is a landmark judgment delivered by the Supreme Court of India that dealt with the issue of state liability and compensation to victims of crime, particularly in the context of custodial rape by government employees.

Facts of the Case:
A Bangladeshi woman named Chandrimadas was gang-raped by employees of the Indian Railways in a railway guest house. These employees were not acting in their official capacity but were using the premises of the Indian Railways when the incident occurred.

Legal Issue:
The primary issue was whether the Union of India (Railways) could be held vicariously liable and be directed to pay compensation to the victim, given that the perpetrators were government employees.

Judgment and Principle Laid Down:
The Supreme Court held that even though the act was committed in a personal capacity, the state (through the Railways) could not absolve itself of the responsibility, especially when the crime occurred in a government-controlled premise by government employees. The Court emphasized the need to uphold the fundamental rights of individuals under Article 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty).

Correct Answer:
Compensation to rape victim
The Court awarded compensation to the victim, establishing a precedent for state accountability and constitutional remedies in cases of grave human rights violations.

Conclusion:
The Chairman, Railway Board v. Chandrimadas case is significant for its affirmation of victim rights and the state’s duty to uphold constitutional protections by ensuring compensation in cases of custodial or institutional violence.