Author(s): Vinay Kumar and Yogendra Singh

Abstract: The Indian criminal justice system serves as the backbone of law and order, ensuring accountability, justice, and protection of fundamental rights. Despite a robust legal framework comprising the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), and Indian Evidence Act, the system faces persistent challenges such as delayed trials, political interference, inefficient investigations, low conviction rates, and inadequate victim and witness protection mechanisms. These challenges hinder the timely delivery of justice and erode public trust. A comparative analysis with global systems like those of the United States, United Kingdom, and Germany reveals valuable insights, including technological integration, effective witness protection schemes, judicial accountability, and rehabilitation-focused prison reforms. Stakeholders such as the police, judiciary, prosecutors, defense lawyers, victims, witnesses, legislature, and civil society play critical roles in the functioning of the system. Effective reforms require police modernization, judicial transparency, prison decongestion, legislative updates, and enhanced use of technology to streamline processes and reduce systemic delays. Additionally, political will, adequate funding, and collaborative efforts among stakeholders are essential for meaningful transformation. This study emphasizes the importance of a victim-centric, transparent, and efficient criminal justice system to uphold the constitutional values of justice, equality, and fairness.

DOI: 10.22271/27899497.2024.v4.i2c.106

Pages: 196-203 | Views: 120 | Downloads: 60

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