Section 48: Power of court to order interim compensation

1) Notwithstanding anything contained elsewhere in this Act, where it is necessary to immediately provide medical treatment or compensation or any type of relief amount to a person who has become victim of an offence in consequence of its commission or a person who is dependent on him or her, the court may order the person accused of such offence to provide medical treatment or pay an interim compensation or relief amount to such person.

2) Where an order is made pursuant to sub-section (1), the person so accused shall immediately provide such compensation or amount to the victim or person dependent on him or her.

3) Where the accused is unable to provide the compensation or amount pursuant to sub-section (2) in accordance with the order referred to in sub-section (1), the court shall order that the compensation or amount be provided to the victim or person dependent on him or her from the victim relief fund established pursuant to the laws in force related to the determination and execution of sentences for criminal offences, and the amount so provided shall be recovered from such accused person and reimbursed into such fund.

4) Where a person who has paid compensation or relief amount pursuant to this Section is acquitted of the charge by the judgment of the court, the person who has received such compensation or relief amount shall, within thirty-five days of such acquittal, return such amount to such person or to the victim relief fund referred to in sub-section (3).

5) Where such person does not return such amount within the period referred to in sub-section (4), the court shall cause such amount to be recovered from any assets of such person within thirty-five days of such acquittal.