Victim compensation scheme

Polity & Governance glossary

Also called: Section 396 BNSS, Section 357A CrPC · Topic: Justice Delivery: Subordinate Courts, Tribunals, Legal Aid and Judicial Reforms · NCERT: Beyond NCERT

Meaning

A victim compensation scheme pays money to crime victims, or to their dependants, so they can recover from the loss or injury. Each State prepares its scheme together with the Centre. The money is paid through the legal services authorities. The scheme began under section 357A of the CrPC in 2009 and is now section 396 of the BNSS. Victims can be paid even if the offender is never traced or convicted. This makes it a key part of victim-centred justice.

Example

A person is badly hurt in an attack, and the police never find the attacker. The victim can still apply to the legal services authority and receive compensation under the State's scheme.

Don't confuse with

  • Fine or compensation ordered on conviction: here the court makes a convicted offender pay. The victim compensation scheme pays from a State fund, even when no one is convicted.

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