Reform with caution

 Mains Paper 2:Governance 
Prelims level: Committee for the Reform of Criminal Laws
Mains level: Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability

 Context: 

• Home Ministry has formed a ‘Committee for the Reform of Criminal Laws’. 
• An apparent short time frame and limited scope for public consultation has caused considerable disquiet among jurists, lawyers and those concerned with the state of criminal justice in the country. 

Reforms needed:

• Few would disagree with the idea that the current laws governing crime, investigation and trial require meaningful reform. 
• There have been several attempts in recent decades to overhaulthe body of criminal law. 
• Indian Penal Code of 1860 vintage, the Code of Criminal Procedure that was rewritten in 1973, and the Indian Evidence Act that dates back to 1872 comprises criminal laws.
• However, comprehensive legal reform is something that requires careful consideration and a good deal of deliberation. 

Criticism:

• One criticism against the latest Committee is that it has begun its work in the midst of a pandemic. 
• This may not be the ideal time for wide consultations. 
• Activists and lawyers functioning in the hinterland may be at a particular disadvantage in formulating their opinions.
• The panel’s mandate appears quite broad: “to recommend reforms in the criminal laws of the country in a principled, effective, and efficient manner which ensures the safety and security of the individual, the community and the nation; and which prioritises the constitutional values of justice, dignity and the inherent worth of the individual.” 
• This is vague and open to multiple interpretations. 
• It is also not clear why the Law Commission has not been vestedwith this task.

Law Commission of India:

• Law Commission of India is an executive body established by an order of the Government of India. 
• Its major function is to work for legal reform. Its membership primarily comprises legal experts, who are entrusted a mandate by the Government.
• Justice Verma panel recommendations:
• A three-member commission assigned to review laws for sexual crimes submitted its report to the government.
• The commission, headed by former Chief Justice of India, Justice JS Verma, has identified "failure of governance" as the root cause for sexual crime. 
• It has criticised the government, the police and even the public for its apathy, and has recommended dramatic changes.

Wide consensus:

• The lack of diversity in what is an all-male, Delhi-based committee has also been adversely commented upon. 
• In 2003, the Justice V.S. Malimath Committee on reforms in the criminal justice system had come up with some far-reaching suggestions, some of which became part of changes in criminal law. 
• However, it also attracted criticism over the suggestion that the standard of evidence be reduced from “beyond reasonable doubt” to “clear and convincing”. 
• The Justice Verma panel came up with a comprehensive and progressive report on reforms needed in laws concerning crimes against women in 2013 in barely one month, but its speed was probably due to the limited mandate it had. 
• If at all criminal law is to be reformed, there should be a genuine attempt to reach a wide consensus.
• On ways like to speed up trials, protect witnesses, address the travailsof victims, improve investigative mechanisms and, most importantly, eliminate torture- it needs consensus.
• An impression should not gain ground that wide-ranging changes are sought to be made within a short time frame and based on limited inputs from the public. 

Conclusion:

• Reform is best achieved through a cautious and inclusive approach.
• Criminal law reforms should not be made by quick-fire means or without wide consultations.

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Prelims Questions:

Q.1). With reference to the transgenders in armed forces, consider the following statements:

1. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has recently told the Union Home Ministry (MHA) that it is ready make its force “compatible” for the recruitment of transgender people as officers in their ranks.
2. Supreme Court in 2014 judgment declared transgender people as the Third Gender.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: C

Mains Questions:

Q.1). Highlights the steps to improve criminal justice system in India.