CJI Surya Kant Flags Victim's Absence in Criminal Justice Process

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Saturday observed that the criminal justice process has largely been structured around the accused and the offence, with the victim frequently fading out of the picture after recording a statement until the day of testimony.

He was speaking while inaugurating a Victim Rights Centre (VRC) at the Bihar State Legal Services Authority (BSLSA) premises.

"For too long, the criminal justice process has been built around the accused and the offence. The victim walks in, gives a statement, and often disappears from the story until the day of testimony," the CJI said.

He noted that little direct responsibility is fixed for what happens to a victim during the intervening months, and that the process itself can feel like a second injury — arriving already wounded and then having to navigate a system whose language is unfamiliar.

The VRC is designed to consolidate compensation schemes, legal and medical assistance, counselling, protection and rehabilitation services on a single platform. The CJI pointed out that these entitlements are spread across different statutes, departments and institutions, and often remain out of reach for those who need them most, with many victims unaware of where to look.

The centre, he said, will ensure "one centre, one file, one point of accountability."

Alongside the VRC, the CJI launched a booklet documenting the centre's work, a helpline for the transgender community and a multi-utility vehicle.

He described the booklet as a practical guide to the centre, its processes and how a victim can access support. The helpline, he said, will operate on the principle of accessibility for communities that have historically found the justice system difficult to approach.

"For a person facing harassment or discrimination, the first difficulty may still be knowing where to seek help, or finding legal assistance without fear of public scrutiny," he said, adding that barriers to justice can arise even before a case is filed.

The multi-utility vehicle will carry legal awareness, documentation support and first-point assistance to villages and settlements beyond the immediate reach of the courtroom.

"Access to justice is not complete when an institution opens its doors. It is complete when those who need it can actually find their way to those doors," the CJI said.