Justice is a cornerstone of any society, ensuring safety, fairness, and equality for all its citizens. Yet in India, systemic inefficiencies and apathy in the legal system are undermining this fundamental pillar. From delayed trials to unbalanced laws, the system is failing those it is meant to protect. Recent tragedies expose the urgent need for reform to restore faith in justice and accountability.
Justice Delayed is Justice Denied
In a society where crime rates are rising, the slow pace of the judicial system compounds the trauma of victims. Recent cases highlight this grim reality:
- On 9 August 2024, a trainee doctor in West Bengal was brutally raped and murdered, sparking outrage but little swift action.
- In Odisha’s Sundargarh district on 4 December, an accused rapist released on bail murdered and dismembered his 18-year-old survivor.
- Atul Subhash, a 34-year-old Bengaluru techie, tragically took his own life, frustrated by the delays and emotional toll of marital disputes.
These incidents reflect not just individual tragedies but also a systemic failure to deliver swift, impartial justice.
Inefficiencies Plague the System
Bureaucratic Delays and Public Frustration
Legal delays in India leave victims languishing and embolden criminals. Courts, overwhelmed with pending cases, fail to prioritize urgent matters. According to recent reports, India has over 4 crore pending cases, making timely resolution an elusive dream for many.
The Consequences of Bail Mismanagement
Offenders walking free on bail pose a severe risk to public safety. These lapses highlight a lack of accountability, allowing crimes to escalate and victims to lose hope.
Gender Bias in Marital Laws
An Unbalanced Approach to Justice
India’s legal framework around marriage reflects glaring gender biases:
- Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) addresses marital cruelty but often faces criticism for being misused.
- Section 497, which criminalized adultery, was struck down in 2018 without providing a gender-neutral replacement.
Despite recommendations to amend the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, 2023, little progress has been made. This failure leaves individuals like Atul Subhash feeling trapped in a system that prioritizes outdated norms over fairness.
The Erosion of Trust in the Justice System
As justice becomes increasingly inaccessible, citizens are losing faith in the system. Endless waits in overcrowded courts lead to despair and raise troubling questions:
- When will the system prioritize justice over bureaucracy?
- How can individuals trust the law when their pleas go unheard?
Such disillusionment is tearing apart families and communities, leaving society vulnerable to moral decay.
The Path Forward: Urgent Reforms Needed
India’s legal system must prioritize the following changes to restore faith and accountability:
- Streamline Judicial Processes:
- Invest in technology to reduce case backlogs.
- Establish expedited legal proceedings for delicate matters such as sexual assault.
- Gender-Neutral Laws:
- Amend marital laws to reflect equality for all genders.
- Criminalize adultery in a manner that ensures fairness.
- Bail Reforms:
- Strengthen bail conditions to prevent repeat offenders from committing further crimes.
- Enhanced Accountability:
- Hold law enforcement and judicial officials accountable for delays and negligence.
Conclusion: A Call to Action
The failures of India’s legal system are not just procedural—they are deeply moral. As crime rises and justice falters, the need for systemic reform becomes more urgent than ever. If swift and decisive action is not taken, the erosion of trust in justice will leave future generations with a fractured and unjust society.
The time for complacency is over. Will we listen to the anguished voices of citizens, or will justice remain a distant dream?
Author: This news is edited by: Abhishek Verma, (Editor, CANON TIMES)
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