Dr S. Muralidhar Judge, Delhi High Court 13th March, 2016 Rights of Victims Dr S. Muralidhar Judge, Delhi High Court 13th March, 2016

Broad Themes Victims – Definition Victims in the Criminal Justice System Victimology in Indian Jurisprudence The unfinished agenda

Victims - Definition UN Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power, 1985 Article 1 -    "Victims" means persons who, individually or collectively, have suffered harm, including physical or mental injury, emotional suffering, economic loss or substantial impairment of their fundamental rights, through acts or omissions that are in violation of criminal laws operative within Member States, including those laws proscribing criminal abuse of power.   Article 2 -    A person may be considered a victim, under this Declaration, regardless of whether the perpetrator is identified, apprehended, prosecuted or convicted and regardless of the familial relationship between the perpetrator and the victim.  The term "victim" also includes, where appropriate, the immediate family or dependants of the direct victim and persons who have suffered harm in intervening to assist victims in distress or to prevent victimization.

Victims - Definition The Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 Defines “Victim” in S.2 (wa) inserted only by the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Act, 2008. S.2 (wa) - “victim” means a person who has suffered any loss or injury caused by reason of the act or omission for which the accused person has been charged and the expression “victim” includes his or her guardian or legal heir;

Victims in the Criminal Justice System At the stage of investigation At the Prosecution Stage Trial Protection of the Victims as witnesses Post trial: victims of the process

Victimology in Indian Jurisprudence The Constitution of India Article 14 – Equality before law Article 21 – Protection of life and personal liberty Article 38 – State to secure a social order for the promotion of welfare of the people Article 39A – Equal justice and free legal aid Article 41 – Right to work, to education and to public assistance in certain cases Article 51A(g) – “to have compassion”

Victimology in Indian Jurisprudence International Covenant ion Civil and Political Rights The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 Provisio to S. 24(8) – the court may permit the victim to engage advocate to assist prosecution. Second Provisio to S. 157 (1) – In cases of offence of rape, statement of victim at residence or place of her choice. S. 357, 357A, 357B – Compensation S.357C – Treatment of Victims S. 358 – Compensation to persons groundlessly arrested. S. 372 – Right of Victim to prefer an appeal in certain cases Chapter XXIA – Plea Bargaining The Criminal Law(Amendment) Act, 2013

Victimology in Indian Jurisprudence The Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 S.12 – The Human Rigths Commission has an important duty to protect rights of victims of crime and abuse of power. Legal Services Authority Act, 1987 S. 12 – Criteria for giving Legal Services includes inter alia members of SC and ST, victim of trafficking in human beings or begar, woman, child, mentally ill or otherwise disabled people, a person under circumstances of undeserved want such as victim of a mass disaster, ethnic violence, caste atrocity, flood, drought, earthquake or industrial disaster..etc Probation of Offenders Act, 1958 S. 5 - Power of court to require released offenders to pay compensation and costs

Victimology in Indian Jurisprudence Law Commission Reports 84th Report – Sexual offences – Substantive law, procedure and Evidence 152nd Report – Custodial Crimes 154th Report – Protection and Facilities to Witnesses, Plea Bargaining, Vicitmology, Special protection in respect of Women 198th Report – Witness protection and Identity Protection 201st Report – Emergency Medical Care to Victims 226th Report – Compensation for Victims

Measures of redress for Victims Access to Justice and Fair Treatment Restitution Compensation Assistance

Unfinished agenda Recognition of victims and victimhood Recognising special categories of victims: degrees of vulnerability Need for a Criminal Injuries Compensation Board Settling norms for monetary compensation and for restitution Sensitising law enforcement agencies A responsive and responsible society: Collective action