Turning Evidence into Relief: Compensation, Healing and Justice (January–June 2026)
How Jan Mitra Nyas and PVCHR Transformed Testimonies into Justice
Implemented by: Jan Mitra Nyas (JMN) and People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR)
Supported by:
- United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture (UNVFVT)
- International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT)
Project Period: 1 January 2026 – 30 June 2026
"Justice begins when survivors are heard. Healing begins when their stories are believed."
During the first half of 2026, Jan Mitra Nyas and PVCHR continued supporting survivors of torture, custodial violence, police brutality, sexual violence, medical negligence, and forced displacement through a comprehensive rehabilitation model combining Testimonial Therapy, psychosocial support, legal advocacy, community mobilisation, and institutional engagement. Testimonial Therapy—a brief narrative therapy grounded in active listening, empathy, compassion, dignity, and justice—enabled survivors to transform traumatic experiences into credible human rights evidence. These testimonies strengthened advocacy before the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), State authorities, Legal Services Authorities, and other institutions, ultimately leading to compensation, accountability, and recognition of survivors' rights.
Programme Results
Between January and June 2026, advocacy resulted in:
- 27 survivors and affected families receiving compensation or compensation recommendations.
- Total compensation secured/recommended: ₹1,21,90,863 (approximately US$142,000, based on an exchange rate of ₹86 ≈ US$1).
Major Human Rights Cases: From Torture and Maltreatment to Compensation and Accountability
During January–June 2026, Jan Mitra Nyas (JMN) and People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR), with the support of the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture (UNVFVT) and the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT), documented, rehabilitated, and advocated for survivors of torture, police violence, custodial abuse, sexual violence, medical negligence, and other serious human rights violations. Through Testimonial Therapy, legal advocacy, and sustained institutional engagement, survivors transformed their experiences into evidence that led to recognition, accountability, and compensation.
Minor Girl, Varanasi – Rape and Murder
A minor girl was brutally raped and murdered. When her grieving family sought justice, they also faced alleged police maltreatment and insensitive behaviour while demanding accountability. Jan Mitra Nyas and PVCHR supported the family in approaching the State Legal Services Authority, resulting in ₹5,00,000 (approximately US$5,814) in victim compensation.
Ashok Manjhi, Bihar – Custodial Death
Ashok Manjhi died in police custody under circumstances indicating alleged custodial torture. Following a complaint filed by human rights defender Lenin Raghuvanshi, the National Human Rights Commission repeatedly sought reports from the Bihar Government and eventually issued a Show Cause Notice recommending ₹7,50,000 (approximately US$8,721) compensation to his family while also seeking departmental action against responsible police officials.
Case: https://pvchr.blogspot.com/2026/01/nhrc-issues-show-cause-notice-in.html
Sonali Seth Family, Varanasi – Death Due to Public Negligence
Following the fatal electrocution of Shri Vishal Seth caused by alleged negligence in public electrical infrastructure, his widow and three children sought justice and compensation. When the family demanded accountability, they reportedly experienced insensitive treatment by authorities. NHRC intervention led to proceedings seeking ₹5,00,000 compensation while calling for accountability from the concerned department.
Case:https://petition-nhrc.blogspot.com/2026/04/justice-delayed-accountability-denied.html
NGO Woman Worker, Varanasi – Sexual Violence
A woman working with an NGO survived repeated sexual violence on the false promise of marriage and further alleged that a police constable sexually assaulted her when she approached authorities seeking justice. The NHRC closely monitored the investigation, prosecution, and rehabilitation process. Through continued advocacy, she received ₹1,50,000 (approximately US$1,744) in victim compensation while proceedings regarding police accountability continued.
Newborn Child, Badaun – Medical Negligence
Following the death of a newborn allegedly caused by serious medical negligence, the family reportedly faced police mishandling when attempting to pursue legal action. The case was taken before the NHRC, which recommended ₹2,00,000 (approximately US$2,326) compensation. After receiving proof of payment to the child's mother, the Commission closed the proceedings.
Case: https://testimonialhealing.blogspot.com/2026/03/justice-delivered-nhrc-ensures-2-lakh.html
Bairvan Village, Varanasi – Police Violence During Land Acquisition
The largest intervention involved the police violence during the 16 May 2023 land acquisition operation in Bairvan village. Peacefully protesting farmers and villagers—including women, elderly persons and daily wage workers—were subjected to alleged lathi-charge, arbitrary arrests, intimidation and torture while defending their ancestral land. Through Testimonial Therapy, community mobilisation, NHRC advocacy and sustained follow-up, 22 affected families received compensation amounting to ₹1,00,90,863 (approximately US$117,336). Although compensation brought important relief, survivors continue to seek full accountability, rehabilitation and justice.
Case: https://testimonialhealing.blogspot.com/2026/07/compensation-brings-relief-to-22.html
https://pvchr.blogspot.com/2026/07/turning-evidence-into-relief.html
Overall Impact (January–June 2026)
Together, these interventions resulted in 27 survivors and affected families receiving compensation or compensation recommendations amounting to ₹1,21,90,863 (approximately US$142,000). More importantly, they demonstrate that Testimonial Therapy, combined with persistent legal advocacy and community mobilisation, can transform survivors' voices into evidence, evidence into institutional accountability, and accountability into tangible relief while restoring dignity and hope.
Bairvan: From Pain to Partial Justice
The largest intervention involved Bairvan village, Varanasi, where police violence during land acquisition on 16 May 2023 resulted in injuries, arbitrary arrests, destruction of livelihoods, and widespread psychological trauma.
Through:
- documentation of violations,
- Testimonial Therapy,
- Folk School community dialogue,
- NHRC intervention,
- sustained advocacy,
- continuous follow-up,
22 affected families received compensation amounting to ₹1,00,90,863 (approximately US$117,000).
While compensation cannot erase trauma or restore lost years, it represents an important acknowledgement of survivors' suffering and demonstrates the value of persistent, community-led human rights advocacy.
Our Approach
The programme followed a survivor-centred model:
Active Listening → Testimonial Therapy → Documentation → Legal Advocacy → NHRC Intervention → Community Mobilisation → Government Accountability → Compensation → Healing → Dignity Restoration
This process enabled survivors not only to seek justice but also to regain confidence, rebuild community solidarity, and reclaim their identity as rights-holders rather than victims.
Looking Ahead
Compensation marks an important milestone but not the end of the journey. Sustainable rehabilitation requires accountability, psychosocial healing, protection from future violations, and continued access to justice. Jan Mitra Nyas and PVCHR remain committed to accompanying survivors until dignity, justice, and rehabilitation become a lived reality.
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