The government has brought over 700 amendments in civil and criminal laws to improve the justice system in the country. The prime minister has called the long-awaited amendments revolutionary in the criminal justice system that will simplify the procedure for the common man in receiving justice.
The law ministry has proposed a nine-month deadline for criminal trials. The court will have to offer an explanation in case it is unable to meet the deadline. If implemented, this will certainly change the judicial system as we have seen numerous cases where the respondent and accused face lengthy courts case for years with no end in sight.
The reforms also propose levying a fine for frivolous complaints to reduce the case backlog. Thousands of cases are pending in courts, placing a huge strain on the judicial system. It also brings the concept of plea bargaining, where a suspect pleads guilty for reduced sentences. However, this will not apply to serious offenses and death penalty cases.
Among the amendments is the introduction of video and audio testimonies without the permission of the trial judge. The inability of the courts to adopt modern technology and tool has been a drawback for the justice system. Testimonies should be transcribed verbatim so they are not prone to distortions which may hamper the investigation process and impede the provision of justice.
The reforms also seek to restructure the decades-old police system. The overhaul of the British era laws was part of the PTI’s manifesto which has finally made headway. The in-charge of a police station will be at least a sub-inspector with a bachelor’s degree. However, the government needs to bring more effective reforms to improve efficiency in police stations. The laws are being tightened for absconders as their NIC, passport, and bank accounts will be blocked if they stay away from the law.
The legality fraternity is at odds with the government, saying that they were not consulted over the forms. The government has denied the claims maintaining the legislation was shared with the legal fraternity for input. The reforms are a step towards ensuring the rule of law and the legal community should support the dispensation of justice and provide speedy justice to the common man.
