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§396

Victim Compensation Scheme

Plain-English Summary — Not Verbatim Statutory Text

Requires state governments, in coordination with the central government, to prepare a Victim Compensation Scheme providing financial support to victims (or their dependents) for loss or injury suffered from a crime. Compensation is decided by the District or State Legal Services Authority, based on the court's recommendation, considering the victim's rehabilitation needs.

A real, often underused route to compensation and support — separate from, and not conditional on, a conviction in every case.

Quick Answers

Still wondering about...

Do I need a conviction first to claim this?
Not always — compensation schemes under this section can apply even where prosecution is ongoing or hasn't resulted in conviction, depending on the state scheme's terms; check with your DLSA.

This is a plain-English summary, not verbatim statutory text. Adhikar is an independent citizen-awareness platform, not a Government of India website. Always verify against the bare Act (legislative.gov.in) or a qualified advocate before relying on this for an actual legal situation.