Mallikarjun Kodagali (Dead) ... vs The State Of Karnataka

The Supreme Court emphasized the need to prioritize the rights of crime victims, recognizing them as integral to social justice and the rule of law. It highlighted the challenges victims face, including difficulties in FIR registration and secondary victimization during trials, particularly in sexual crime cases. The Court noted the inadequacy of existing victim compensation schemes under Section 357A of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, and called for a more balanced approach to ensure fair treatment of both victims and accused in criminal proceedings.