VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN CALLS FOR AN INQUISITORIAL LEGAL SYSTEM
LONG WAY TO GO BEFORE EVEN PERFUNCTORY PROTECTION TO VICTIMS
2022-05-20 16:23
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There had been few attempts at reviewing the Indian criminal justice system since its codification during British rule. But in 2000, a rejig was attempted when the Union Government entrusted a committee led by Justice V.S. Malimath to propose changes to the criminal justice system so it became more sensitive to a victim’s suffering – or au courant with details such as the very low rate of convictions in rape cases reaching trial. The Malimath Committee derived its basis from the 1985 United Nations (UN) Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power, and addressed important issues such as the burden of proof, role of public prosecutors, treatment of witnesses, best practices for investigation, and the justice system’s apathy towards women.