Yes, a criminal court in Hyderabad can award compensation to a victim even while the trial is still pending, and this reflects an important shift in Indian criminal justice toward genuine victim-centred remedies rather than treating compensation as something available only after a final conviction. Under the victim compensation scheme framework built into the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, the court can recommend interim compensation to the State Legal Services Authority or the district authority, which administers a dedicated victim compensation fund, particularly in cases involving serious injury, loss of livelihood, or acute financial hardship arising directly from the offence.

This interim compensation is distinct from the compensation that can be ordered against the convicted accused at the conclusion of trial, and it does not depend on the outcome of the case — meaning a victim can receive interim financial support from the state fund even if the trial is ongoing, or in some cases, even if the accused is never identified or apprehended at all. The Telangana State Legal Services Authority administers this scheme locally, and applications can be filed directly with the District Legal Services Authority alongside, or independent of, the ongoing criminal proceeding.

To seek interim compensation, the victim or their family typically needs to file an application supported by the FIR copy, medical records establishing the nature and extent of injury or loss, and, where applicable, evidence of financial dependency or loss of income resulting from the offence. The Legal Services Authority conducts its own inquiry into the genuineness and quantum of the claim, and this process runs largely independent of the pace of the criminal trial itself, which is precisely its advantage for victims who need urgent financial support.

It is also worth understanding that certain special statutes — particularly those relating to sexual offences, offences against women, and offences against Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes — carry their own specific and often more generous compensation schemes, with defined timelines and amounts, so identifying the correct scheme applicable to your case matters significantly. Filing the right application under the right scheme, with complete supporting documentation, is where our legal experts at Aapka Legal Advice can meaningfully speed up the process for victims and their families.

Because navigating victim compensation schemes alongside an ongoing criminal trial requires familiarity with both the criminal court and the Legal Services Authority process, experienced guidance is invaluable. The Top Criminal Lawyers in Hyderabad | Aapka Legal Advice team, working with retired judges on our panel who have overseen victim compensation matters, can help victims and families access this relief without unnecessary delay. If you or a family member has suffered injury or loss due to a crime in Hyderabad, pursuing interim compensation while the trial continues is a right you should not overlook.