New Delhi, Oct 7 (IANS): Courts are quite used to 'prayers' in petitions. But Friday's prayers at the Delhi High Court complex were different as families of the Sep 7 blast victims came together in a solemn congregation to say, "May their souls rest in peace!"

Many had complaints too.

This date, a month ago, an explosives-rigged briefcase exploded at Gate 5 of the high court complex during the morning peak hour, leaving a bloody trail of 15 dead and over 70 injured.

A group of blast survivors and their families picketed at the gate peacefully. Their placards said: "Clear terrorists, clear terrorism" and "We need a speedy trial in blast cases."

Some protests were more pointed.

"The compensation granted by the government is very little," said Anil Kumar Bisht, 43, who lost his ear in the blast. "I was in hospital for over 15 days. Even then I was listed for minor injuries. I have spent almost thrice the amount of compensation I received and my treatment is still going on."

Bisht, a readymade garments seller who had come to the court in connection with a case along with five others, was in queue at the counter of Gate 5 for a pass when the bomb went off.

Harcharan Singh, 53, who was with Bisht, said, "I am the only bread winner of my family and after the blast my shop remained closed for around 20 days. The compensation I got is too little to compensate for my hearing power which I lost in the blast."

Several victims complained that they had to pay for medicines even when they were in government hospital.

"The medicines were costly and, above that, our business was shut. Even now we have to stand in long queues for treatment. The government did nothing much for us," said a man in a group of victims.

Deepak Shroff, 22, who lost his father Ratan lal Shroff in the blast, demanded a speedy trial.

"There has been no major development in the case even after a month to the blast. My father's soul will not rest in peace till the accused are punished. I demand strict and quick trial in the case," Deepak said.

Deepak, a resident of Model Town, said that after his father's death, his mother went into a deep shock.

"She keeps crying. We are more concerned because there is nobody back at home. My mother is all alone as all my sisters are married and I live in Karnal."