A compensation of Rs 10 lakh was awarded to the Spanish woman who was allegedly gangraped in Jharkhand”s Dumka on Friday. Deputy Commissioner of Police A Dodde presented the cheque to the woman’s husband.

The woman, hailing from Spain, was on a bike tour with her husband when the incident occurred approximately 300 km away from the state capital Ranchi. They were spending the night in a tent when the assault took place, according to the police.

However, many on social media criticized the photo-op as “insensitive and embarrassing”.

On X, @theskindoctor13 wrote: “As if the international shame brought about by the gangrape of a Spanish woman wasn”t enough, the Jharkhand govt decided to go a step further, offering a 10 lakh rupee compensation to the woman”s husband with a photo-op. Insensitive and embarrassing!”

Describing the development as “absolute moronic behavior on display”, @Advaidism commented: “Reducing a woman”s dignity to monetary compensation and then making her husband pose for videos & pictures as if it”s a reward.”

Another user asked what is the compensation for? “This is shameful on both parts – from the Police, as well as this husband. Compensating for what? Is every rape victim given such cash compensation? How do you judge which one is to be given and which one should be ignored? And how did that husband even agree to such a thing? Did the wife agree to it?” wrote @pragsrats.

Demanding justice for the Spanish woman @Radhika8057 posted: “Height of insensitivity and incompetence by Jharkhand government officials. Providing nominal monetary compensation to rape victim on camera for optics. Shameful. Give me sensible reason why compensation is being given to them. Please Hang the culprits! thats the only Justice.”

“When did the government start providing monetary compensation to victims? I empathize with the victim, but this appears very insensitive and biased,” wrote @divya_gandotra.

The video didn’t go down well with @sneheshphilip, who posted: “Please tell me this is a joke. Deputy Commissioner and SP coming on camera to hand over cheques to the rape victim’s husband? Compensation for rape? Posing for camera?”

The police have arrested three individuals allegedly involved in the crime, and efforts are underway to arrested the remaining four suspects.

The woman, 28, and her 64-year-old husband had traveled to Dumka from Bangladesh on two motorcycles, with plans to proceed to Bihar”s Bhagalpur and then on to Nepal. Their journey was part of a larger adventure across Asia, having previously visited Pakistan and Bangladesh before arriving in Dumka.

Meanwhile, the Jharkhand High Court took cognizance of the incident and directed the state government to submit a report. Notifying the DGP, chief secretary, and SP of Dumka, a division bench of the court, led by Acting Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Navneet Kumar, set a hearing for March 7.

The court also instructed the Dumka SP to submit an affidavit detailing the actions taken against the accused. Recognising the grave implications of crimes against foreign nationals, particularly regarding the nation”s reputation and the tourism industry, the court underscored the importance of swift and decisive action in such cases.