Victim compensation scheme.
What this section does
Every State Government, in coordination with the Central Government, must prepare a scheme to provide compensation funds for victims or their dependants who have suffered loss or injury due to crime and require rehabilitation. The District or State Legal Services Authority decides the quantum of compensation on a court recommendation, and must complete the enquiry within two months; interim relief including first-aid and medical benefits may also be ordered. Compensation under this section is in addition to any fine payable to the victim under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
AI-generated plain-language summary. For the binding statutory text, see India Code (official).
Procedure at a glance
- Key actors
- State Government · Central Government · Court · District Legal Services Authority · State Legal Services Authority · Victim · Police Officer · Magistrate
- Time limit
- Enquiry by Legal Services Authority to be completed within 2 months of receipt of recommendation or application
Derived from CrPC s.357A.
Read the official text
For the binding statutory text of BNSS Section 396, refer to the Gazette of India or the India Code official website.
Why this matters
BNSS Section 396 forms part of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita which replaced the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 on 1 July 2024. Any new filing, FIR, charge sheet, or bail application made on or after that date should cite the new section number. References to the old act in legacy documents remain valid for matters that arose before the changeover.