‘Victim’ Under SC/ST Act Includes Parents & Family Members Of Person Suffering Injuries Of The Crime : Karnataka HC

The Kalaburagi bench of the Karnataka High Court observed that a victim under the SC/ST Atrocities Act includes not only the person who sustains injuries arising out of the crime but also his parents and family members. The directions were made while deciding whether the mother of the victim under the Act, who was also the informant in the case, should have been made a Respondent-party in the bail application moved by the accused. The Petitioner-accused had contended that the informant (victim’s mother) need not be impleaded as a party and it would suffice if an information is given to the victim or his dependents or the first informant about the proceedings pending before the Court in terms of Section 15-A(3) of the SC/ST Act.