Abstract
Victim rights have experienced a tremendous change of being neglected in the past to being gradually appreciated in the contemporary criminal justice systems. Historically, the criminal law has been largely offender-centric in the sense that it has concentrated on the prosecution and punishment of the accused and the victims have been placed in the periphery as mere witnesses. This essay is a critical analysis of the development, extent and the modern applicability of victim rights, especially in the Indian legal system. The paper examines the conceptual premises of victimology and the need to integrate victim-centered justice into the legal framework. A particular focus is made on legislative changes including victim compensation plans and procedural changes to provide fair treatment of victims. Moreover, the paper also points out the challenges that persist, including poor implementation, ignorance, delays in the process and institutional indifference that persist in frustrating the actualization of these rights. A comparative approach is also deemed to learn about the international best practices in victim protection and rehabilitation. The paper ends with a call to a more balanced criminal justice system that would balance the rights of the accused and the legitimate interests of the victims and the importance of structural changes, more effective enforcement mechanisms, and a transition to restorative justice practices.
Keywords: Victim Rights, Victimology, Criminal Justice System, Access to Justice, Restorative Justice, Criminal Law Reforms