Although references to victim services and compensation can be found in ancient and medieval literature, formal attention to the issue is recent in India. In a 1969 seminar, a full session was devoted to victim compensation. The first empirical study, covering 184 victims of dacoit gangs, found that some individuals were more vulnerable to victimization than others and that situational factors played a critical role. In 1979, the Bureau of Police Research and Development published a text on victim compensation. Subsequent studies have examined victims of homicide and motor vehicle accidents. Victimology also was a topic of a 1981 conference. Under the Criminal Penal Code, the court may use fines to compensate victims for loss or injury, and compensatory fines may be ordered against a person whose false allegations result in arrest. Under the Probation of Offenders Act, the court may order the probationer to pay compensation to his victim. The Motor Vehicles Act also permits filing for recovery of accident-related damages. Although these provisions exist, they have rarely been applied, and the compensations they do provide are grossly inadequate. Further research and better enforcement of victim legislation is recommended. 33 references.