IN BETWEEN

In a relationship both the parties are responsible for making a relationship work.
Whether in a father- son
father - daughter
husband- wife relationship
in fact in any  relationship, one cannot say that only one side is responsible to make the relationship work.

In relationships those who have  greater resources  have greater responsbilites too.
Strangely when the persons with greater responsibilities make a mistake, the reaction from their suboridinate is intense, but their superiors are more willing to give them another chance.
In fact when Indra made a mistake, he was forgiven for he had also taken a bigger responsibility.
In the story of Govardhana, Indra had the audacity to offend Krishna who is the Supreme Brahaman. However
Krishna  whilst  protecting  the vrindavan vasis,  forgave  Indra in spite of his audacity to offend Krishna.
It may sound  like injustice but since the persons with greater responsibilities have the capacity to handle big jobs they are given a chance  to rectify, reform and re-act positively.

In  the Mahabharata we see Duryodhana was forgiven many times for various  crimes right from
Trying to poision Bhima...
Burn the pandavas ...
Make them lose everything during the gambling match...
To Even  attempting to strip off Draupadi..
The Pandavas were willing to forgive all  the crimes if Duryodhan would change. 
Why? If Duryodhan changed he had more faciilties to offer greater good to the society.
But  since he persisted in doing what he was doing  the punishment meted out to him was very severe.  Mahabharata shows us that a brutal punishment is meted out  to persons with great responsibilities for not changing.
Leaders aren’t  free to behave whimsically just because they are leaders .Their responsibilities are higher and the  punishment meted out to them is much more severe, but between the position and punishment there are  places and a few chances to rectify.

Subordinates are punished immediately as they make mistakes. But they are given lesser punishment due to  lesser responsibility. For subordiantes between their position and punishment there is a lesser chance of forgiveness.
This is because  their position or their punishment is very personal and does not effect the society at large.

Karma cycle is precise and just.  Understandiing it is complex and difficult. But still it is right and natural