Madras High Court Says Seniors Cheated by Conmen Must Get Compensation, Calls ₹1 Lakh Cap ‘Outdated’

The Madras High Court has directed that senior citizens cheated by conmen be paid compensation from the Victim Compensation Fund if police fail to recover their valuables.

Justice D Bharatha Chakravarthy suggested a minimum of 30% of the lost value or ₹5 lakh, whichever is lower, noting rising scams targeting the elderly.

The Court observed that the State’s existing 2013 scheme caps compensation at ₹1 lakh, which is outdated.

In the present case, a 68-year-old woman duped of 17.5 sovereigns of gold was held entitled to ₹4 lakh, payable within 12 weeks.