LAW MINISTER CALLS FOR INTEGRATED CRIMINAL
JUSTICE SYSTEM REFORMS
The Union Minister of Law and Justice,
Shri K. Jana Krishnamurthi has called for an integrated reforms
to expedite criminal justice in India. Speaking at a Seminar on
Criminal Justice System and the Poor, organised by the Supreme
Court Bar Association, here today, Shri Jana Krishnamurthi said
that five basic aspects of criminal justice, such as, apprehending
criminal after crime, proper investigation, proper charge-sheet,
prosecution and procedure of courts should be addressed to ensure
fair and just trial.
Talking of improving the system of
criminal justice, the Minister said that the Government was considering
amendments of criminal laws, procedural laws, recruitment and
training of police, modern system of investigation, updating all
aspects of policing system to change the mindset so that non-discriminatory
justice was meted out to all in the country. In this connection,
the Minister also talked of jail reforms stating that jail should
transform a convict into a responsible citizen rather than make
him a hardened criminal.
The Minister of State for Law and
Justice, Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, who also spoke on the occasion,
referred to Justice V.S. Malimath Committee on Criminal Justice
Reforms, whose report was expected shortly, and said that victims
of crimes should have a say in the criminal justice system.
Later, the Chief Justice of India,
Shri Justice B.N. Kirpal, in his inaugural address, called upon
the judiciary to accord top priority to criminal cases over all
other cases in the courts.
Earlier, the President, Supreme Court
Bar Association, Shri R.K. Jain gave an overview of the criminal
justice system in the country and the measures that needed to
be taken to improve to make it responsive to the poor.
