Victim-Centric Justice in Criminal Law: A Critical Analysis of Victim Protection, Compensation and Restorative Mechanisms

Abstract

The traditional criminal justice system has largely operated on an offender-centric model, prioritizing prosecution and punishment while relegating victims to a peripheral and passive role. Such an approach has often resulted in inadequate protection, limited participation and insufficient redress for victims of crime. In response to these shortcomings, contemporary criminal jurisprudence has witnessed a significant shift towards victim-centric justice, which recognizes victims as rights-bearing stakeholders within the justice delivery system. This paper critically examines the concept of victim-centric justice in criminal law with specific focus on three core dimensions victim protection, compensation and restorative justice mechanisms. It analyses the legal foundations, judicial interpretations and practical implementation of these mechanisms, particularly within the Indian criminal justice framework. The study explores how protective measures aim to prevent secondary victimization and ensure victims’ dignity and safety during criminal proceedings, while compensation and restitution seek to address the economic and psychological harm suffered by victims. The study evaluates the role of restorative justice as a complementary approach that emphasizes accountability, dialogue and social healing alongside formal adjudication. The paper argues that victim-centric justice represents a normative and ethical transformation of criminal law, aligning it with constitutional values, human rights principles and social justice objectives. Despite progressive legal developments, significant challenges persist in effective implementation due to institutional fragmentation, procedural delays and lack of awareness. The study concludes that a genuinely victim-centric justice system requires sustained institutional reform, sensitization of justice actors and integrated support mechanisms to ensure that justice is not merely punitive but also reparative and humane.