{"id":74239,"date":"2020-12-24T18:23:33","date_gmt":"2020-12-24T12:53:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.forumias.com\/?p=74239"},"modified":"2020-12-24T18:43:36","modified_gmt":"2020-12-24T13:13:36","slug":"right-to-restitution-for-victims-of-crime","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/right-to-restitution-for-victims-of-crime\/","title":{"rendered":"Right to restitution for victims of crime"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Synopsis:\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">T<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">he Delhi High Court has secured the right to restitution for victims of crime, in a landmark judgment in Karan v. State N.C.T. of Delhi.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Why this judgment is important<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25aa\" data-font=\"Noto Sans Symbols\" data-listid=\"12\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"24\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Restitution involves ordering the accused to compensate victims<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0of crime<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0for their losses.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25aa\" data-font=\"Noto Sans Symbols\" data-listid=\"12\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"25\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Section 357 of the\u00a0CrPC<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0allows courts to order the accused to pay \u201ccompensation\u201d to the victim but it was hardly followed. SC also observed in many cases that Section 357 must be used liberally.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25aa\" data-font=\"Noto Sans Symbols\" data-listid=\"12\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"26\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">In 2013, Ankush Shivaji Gaikwad v. State of Maharashtra<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">, the SC made it mandatory for lower courts to record reasons for passing, or not passing, orders relating to the use of Section 357.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25aa\" data-font=\"Noto Sans Symbols\" data-listid=\"12\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"27\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Still, lower courts are largely failed in implementation, mainly due to practical constraints faced by them.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">What were the constraints found by lower courts while applying section 357?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25aa\" data-font=\"Noto Sans Symbols\" data-listid=\"13\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"28\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">First, Language of section 357<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">: courts were limited by the language of Section 357. For instance, the language of Section 357 does not differentiate between restitution and compensation.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"Courier New\" data-listid=\"13\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Restitution includes return made by the offender while compensation is paid by the state. Unless this difference is statutorily recognised, opacity is bound to continue.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25aa\" data-font=\"Noto Sans Symbols\" data-listid=\"13\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"29\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Second, no uniform head:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0the courts were restricted by the absence of a uniform head under which compensation could be granted.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25aa\" data-font=\"Noto Sans Symbols\" data-listid=\"13\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"30\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Third, no mechanism for calculating paying capacity:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0the absence of a uniform mechanism to calculate the paying capacity of the accused as well as determining the impact of the crime on the victim prevented courts from granting compensation under the section.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25aa\" data-font=\"Noto Sans Symbols\" data-listid=\"13\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"31\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Fourth, no guidelines:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0 the absence of sentencing guidelines blocked the application of the section.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">What is the significance of Delhi High Court\u2019s verdict?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">The significance of the Karan verdict lies in the Delhi High Court\u2019s use of the Victim Impact Report (VIR) to determine the quantum of compensation. The Court\u2019s version of VIR is loosely based on the concept of Victim Impact Statements (VIS), but with some differences.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25aa\" data-font=\"Noto Sans Symbols\" data-listid=\"13\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"32\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">VIS is an instrument of victim participation<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">, which effectively allows victims to inform the court in their own words as to how the crime impacted them.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25aa\" data-font=\"Noto Sans Symbols\" data-listid=\"13\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"33\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">The VIS\u2019s format comprises<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0the description of physical injury, emotional harm, or the damage or loss to property as a result of the offence.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25aa\" data-font=\"Noto Sans Symbols\" data-listid=\"13\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"34\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">VIS provides\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">victims with the opportunity to directly address the court<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0and works towards their concerns being heard and addressed by the court.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25aa\" data-font=\"Noto Sans Symbols\" data-listid=\"13\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"35\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">It makes the offender realise the impact of the crime on the victim<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">. It also works to aid the court in determining the amount of the sentence and fine.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">The Delhi HCs conception of VIR differs from a traditional VIS:\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25aa\" data-font=\"Noto Sans Symbols\" data-listid=\"13\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"36\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Firstly<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">, the primary purpose of the VIR in the Court\u2019s idea is to\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">act as an aid to determine the amount of compensation<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0to the victim in combination with the paying capacity of the accused.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25aa\" data-font=\"Noto Sans Symbols\" data-listid=\"13\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"37\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Secondly,<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0the VIR will not be directly made by the victim before the court but will be\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">filed by the Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DLSA)<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">, which shall conduct a summary inquiry to establish the impact of the crime upon the victim.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25aa\" data-font=\"Noto Sans Symbols\" data-listid=\"13\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"38\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Third,<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0the DLSA shall submit a report that estimates the\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">paying capacity of the accused as well as the impact on the victim<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">, after a conviction.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25aa\" data-font=\"Noto Sans Symbols\" data-listid=\"13\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"39\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Fourth,<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0the courts will have to pass an order of compensation based on this.\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">The scheme is binding on all lower courts\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">in Delhi that deal with criminal cases.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Way forward<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25aa\" data-font=\"Noto Sans Symbols\" data-listid=\"13\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"40\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Moreover, VIR\/VIS should not remain limited to calculating restitution; it must be used in the sentencing process. The courts should come forward to adopt VIR\/VIS as one of the best practices in the interest of justice to victims of crime.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Synopsis:\u00a0The Delhi High Court has secured the right to restitution for victims of crime, in a landmark judgment in Karan v. State N.C.T. of Delhi.\u00a0\u00a0 Why this judgment is important\u00a0 Restitution involves ordering the accused to compensate victims\u00a0of crime\u00a0for their losses.\u00a0\u00a0 Section 357 of the\u00a0CrPC\u00a0allows courts to order the accused to pay \u201ccompensation\u201d to the&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/right-to-restitution-for-victims-of-crime\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Right to restitution for victims of crime<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":61,"featured_media":74260,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1230,1351,1310,9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-74239","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-9-pm-daily-articles","category-daily-news","category-daily-news-updates","category-public","entry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Right-to-restitution-for-victims-of-crime.jpg?fit=1280%2C720&ssl=1","views":{"total":0,"cached_at":"","cached_date":1700059088},"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74239","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/61"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=74239"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74239\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/74260"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=74239"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=74239"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=74239"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}