Issues in the criminal justice system

Source: The post issues in the criminal justice system has been created, based on the article “Pune Porsche Crash: Things wouldn’t be this bad if India’s criminal justice system wasn’t broken” published in “India express” on 23rd May 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2-government-Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

News: The article discusses the tragic loss of two young lives in Pune due to reckless driving by a drunk youth. It highlights issues in the criminal justice system, delays in trials, and inadequate handling of juvenile offenders, calling for speedy and effective justice reforms.

For detailed information on India’s criminal justice system read this article here

What are the issues of India’s criminal justice system?

Delays in Verdicts: Cases take years to conclude, as seen in Salman Khan’s 2002 accident case which took 13 years and ended in acquittal. Long delays reduce respect for the law.

Low Conviction Rates: In cities, the conviction rate for negligent driving and hit-and-run cases is only 30%. Over 90% of such cases are pending in courts.

Judicial and Police Staffing Shortages: India has 21 judicial officers per million people, far below the recommended 50 per million. The police population ratio is 152 per lakh citizens, while the norm is 222 per lakh. There are 400,000 police vacancies.

Weak Prosecution: Delays make it difficult to trace witnesses, and their memories fade, weakening cases. The general impression is that many criminals go scot-free due to time-consuming judicial processes.

Juvenile Justice Issues: The Juvenile Justice Board in Pune handled a serious case with minor penalties, showing leniency.

What should be done?

Enhance Police Training and Technology: Regularly train police in using technology and equip forensic labs better. This would improve investigation quality and conviction rates. The police have charged 75% of rash driving cases and 65% of hit-and-run cases within a year.

Stricter Juvenile Justice: Handle serious offenses by juveniles with stricter measures. The Maharashtra government’s decision to try the Porsche driver as an adult is a positive step.

Public Accountability: Encourage citizens to follow traffic rules and act responsibly. The Pune case should lead to greater public awareness and accountability in road safety.

Question for practice:

Discuss the key issues regarding India’s criminal justice system and propose potential solutions.