Rights Of The Victims: A Socio-Legal Study
- IJLLR Journal
- Dec 28, 2025
- 2 min read
Pampa Karar, Research Scholar, Shri Venkateshwara University, Gajraula, Amroha, Uttar Pradesh
Dr. Shyamlal, Associate Professor, School of Law & Jurisprudence, Shri Venkateshwara University, Gajraula, Amroha, Uttar Pradesh
ABSTRACT
The evolution of criminal justice systems globally has witnessed a paradigm shift from a purely state-centric, retributive model to one increasingly sensitive to the rights and rehabilitation of victims of crime. In India, this shift has been catalyzed by judicial activism and legislative reforms, most notably the landmark Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Act, 2008, and the Victim Compensation Scheme under Section 357A CrPC. However, a significant gap persists between the de jure recognition of victim rights and their de facto realization on the ground. This research article presents a socio- legal study examining this implementation gap and socio-economically diverse region encompassing urban, peri-urban, and rural landscapes. Through an analysis of legal frameworks, secondary data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), case law, and scholarly literature, this study investigates key areas: the accessibility and awareness of victim compensation schemes, the practical enforcement of the right to participate in trials (e.g., through victim impact statements), and the challenges of witness protection and rehabilitation. The findings indicate that victims, particularly women, children, and marginalized communities, face multifaceted barriers including bureaucratic inertia, lack of legal awareness, socio-economic vulnerability, and infrastructural deficits within the justice machinery. The article concludes that effective victim justice requires a convergent, multi-stakeholder approach involving sensitization of police and judiciary, simplification of procedural formalities, and the development of robust, well-funded support services at the district level to translate statutory rights into tangible relief and empowerment.
Keywords:Victim Rights, Victim Compensation, Code of Criminal Procedure, Socio-Legal Study, Criminal Justice Reform.
