So far 20 states and 7 UTs have formulated the Victim Compensation Scheme. As per section 326 A of the IPC, Criminal Law Amendment Act 2013 apart from making punishment stringent, for acid attack, it provides for just and reasonable fine to meet the medical expenses of the victim and this shall be paid to victim.
The amendment also provides that all the hospitals, public or private, have been mandated to provide free medical treatment to all victims of acid attack and rape.
In pursuance of directives in W.P.(Crl.) No. 129 of 2006 case of Laxmi vs. Union of India, the Law Commission of India in its 226 report on “The Inclusion of Acid Attacks as Specific Offences in the Indian Penal Code and a law for Compensation for Victims of Crime” had recommended that a law known as “ Criminal Injuries Compensation Act” .
To be enacted which should provide both interim and final monetary compensation to victims of certain acts of violence like Rape, Sexual Assault, Acid Attacks etc.
To provide free medical treatment to them. Section 357A has been inserted in CrPC which inter-alia provide for preparation of a scheme for providing compensation to victims affected by violence.
Under the Legal Service Authority Act 1987, all women are entitled to free legal aid.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development is also administering Swadhar and Short Stay Home Schemes for relief and rehabilitation of women in difficult circumstances, including the victims of rape.
This was stated by Smt. Krishna Tirath, Minister for Women and Child Development, in a written reply to the Lok Sabha today.
