THE EXPIATORY THEORY OF PUNISHMENT Author: Anand Bhusan, ICFAI Law School, Dehradun. MEANING Expiation” means “the act of expiating; reparation; amends; compensation; atonement. According to Expiation Theory, compensation is awarded to the victim from the wrong-doer. ANCIENT PERIOD The expiatory theory was based on moral principles, had little to do with law or legal concepts.