Chief Justice Surya Kant inaugurated a Victim Rights Centre (VRC) at the Bihar State Legal Services Authority on Saturday, declaring a new model that places victims at the heart of criminal justice. He said the VRC will bring compensation schemes, legal and medical assistance, counselling, protection and rehabilitation under one platform.
Kant criticized the criminal justice system for being built around the accused and the offence, noting that victims often disappear from the process after giving an initial statement. "For too long, the criminal justice process has been built around the accused and the offence," he said, pointing to the gap that leaves victims to navigate a system that speaks a language they do not know.
To address this gap, he launched a booklet that explains the centre’s operations, a helpline dedicated to the transgender community, and a multi‑utility vehicle that will carry legal awareness and documentation support to villages and settlements beyond the immediate reach of the courtroom.
The helpline will operate on a principle of accessibility, offering immediate assistance to those facing harassment or discrimination before they file a case, thereby lowering the first barrier to justice.
The mobile unit will traverse beyond court precincts, ensuring that legal aid is reachable in settlements that have traditionally been excluded from formal institutions.
With the motto of "one centre, one file, one point of accountability," the VRC signals a shift toward coordinated victim support; its next milestone is to integrate with existing state schemes for compensation and rehabilitation.