Marking a major structural reform in the national criminal justice ecosystem, Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant officially inaugurated the country's first specialized Victim Rights Centre at the Bihar State Legal Services Authority (BSLSA) premises in Patna. Designed to shift judicial procedures toward a more compassionate, victim-centric framework, the pioneering facility provides comprehensive legal representation, psychological counseling, financial compensation tracking, and rehabilitation services for victims of serious crimes under one unified roof. Addressing legal scholars, judicial officers, and civil rights advocates during the inaugural ceremony, the Chief Justice emphasized that ensuring dignified procedural protection, state compensation access, and trauma-informed legal aid for crime victims is essential to fulfilling constitutional guarantees of equal justice. The specialized center integrates dedicated assistance desks, legal aid panels, and digital case-tracking portals to prevent systemic re-traumatization during court proceedings and streamline compensation applications. Legal experts and human rights organizations praised the landmark establishment in Bihar, observing that creating dedicated victim advocacy centers sets an essential operational benchmark for judicial institutions across other states seeking to strengthen victim protections within the administration of criminal law.

Single-Window Judicial Framework to Assist Crime Victims

Marking a significant milestone in India's legal aid ecosystem, Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant inaugurated the pilot Victim Rights Centre (VRC) at the Bihar State Legal Services Authority (BSLSA) premises in Patna. Operating on a unified, single-window system model, the Centre seeks to eliminate procedural bottlenecks faced by crime victims navigating medical treatment, police registration, financial compensation, and court representation.

The launch event was held under the leadership of Patna High Court Chief Justice and BSLSA Patron-in-Chief Justice V. Kameswar Rao, alongside Executive Chairman Justice Sudhir Singh.

Overview: Key Pillars & Services Launched at BSLSA Patna

Initiative / ComponentOperational Focus & Legal Entitlements
Victim Rights Centre (VRC)Single-window coordination for legal aid, medical care, FIR copies, & compensation
Statutory IntegrationAligned with BNSS 2023 & Bihar Victim Compensation Scheme 2014
Transgender HelplineAccess point under the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2019
Mobile Legal UnitsMulti-Utility Vehicles (MUVs) for door-step legal outreach across rural districts
Published SOP ManualStandard Operating Procedures authored by Project Coordinator Ms. Shama Sinha

Operational Structure and Entitlements Under BNSS 2023

Rather than creating an additional bureaucracy, the Victim Rights Centre leverages existing institutional infrastructure—including local police stations, government hospitals, Child Welfare Committees (CWCs), One Stop Centres, and state welfare departments. The Centre tracks victim files from initial complaint through final relief, maintaining unified case files to prevent procedural delays.

The VRC provides direct assistance in securing entitlements guaranteed under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, the Bihar Victim Compensation Scheme, and special acts. Key entitlements facilitated include:

  • Immediate access to emergency medical intervention and psychological counseling.

  • Free copies of First Information Reports (FIRs) and representation during bail hearings.

  • Protection orders, witness protection measures, and appellate remedies.

The model draws upon judicial precedent set by CJI Surya Kant in Jagjeet Singh v. Ashish Mishra, where the Supreme Court affirmed that a victim's right to be heard is an indispensable element of criminal justice extending through all trial and pre-trial phases.

Transgender Helpline and Outreach Expansion

Complementing the VRC launch, the CJI launched a dedicated Transgender Helpline designed to implement the Scheme for Consolidation, Rehabilitation and Access to Justice of Transgender Persons. The helpline serves as a primary access node to assist transgender individuals in obtaining official identity cards, securing welfare benefits, and addressing discrimination in employment, housing, and medical access.

To take legal awareness directly to marginalized rural communities, CJI Surya Kant flagged off a new fleet of legal aid Multi-Utility Vehicles (MUVs). The program concluded with the release of the VRC's official operational handbook and standardized documentation manual, designed to serve as a blueprint for legal service authorities across other Indian states.