Slow pace of reforms in the ‘criminal justice system’ worries NHRC group

A group of experts from the NHRC expressed serious concerns over the “slow pace of reforms in the criminal justice system”.

Context

A group of experts from the NHRC expressed serious concerns over the “slow pace of reforms in the criminal justice system”. 

Key-highlights 

• According to estimates, there were about 4.4 crore pending cases in the Supreme Court, High Courts and district courts.
  • Delays in disposal of cases result in human rights violations of both the undertrials and convicted prisoners, and others related to the cases.
• In the criminal justice system, not only trials are getting delayed, but court orders convicting a person also took years to implement.

Suggestions 

• Digitisation of documents would help in speeding up investigations and trials.
• Special laws and fast-track courts could replace certain offences under the IPC in order to reduce the piling up of cases.
• Awareness on law among police personnel, study into the rate of conviction of police officials and their non-compliance of law.
• Increasing the number of police personnel, introduction of social workers and psychologists in the criminal justice system were some of the suggestions to make it better.
• The focus also needs to be on the victim’s rights and smart policing.