Procedural Criminal Law

To streamline, re-imagine and re-invigorate the laws of criminal procedure and to align them with constitutional morality, social aspirations and best global practices by:

1. Restructuring the Cr.P.C.in line with the preferred model of criminal process (due-process/crime-control) that not only protects     the rights of both the victim and the accused but simultaneously ensures public safety;
2. Revising foundational definitions and classifications in order to bring the Cr.P.C. in line with modern legal developments;
3. Strengthening the legislative foundations of criminal justice institutions in order to enhance their efficacy and effectiveness while simultaneously limiting abuse of powers, including discretionary powers;
4. Reforming provisions pertaining to investigation of offences in a manner that secures public safety, limits abuse of power and makes the police as an institution more responsive to the exigencies of newly recognized offences and the needs of victims and witnesses;
5. Reforming provisions pertaining to arrest and bail so as to ensure better regulation of these powers, protection of the due process rights of the accused and the victim and public safety;
6. Streamlining the trial process, including appeals, such that it ensures the disposal of cases in a time-bound manner while having due regard to the rights of all stakeholders;
7. Rationalizing and strengthening provisions pertaining to the trial process in a manner that safeguards the rights of victims and witnesses, improves the quality of evidence and facilitates truth-seeking;
8. Strengthening the plea bargaining process in a manner that safeguards the rights of the victim and promotes an equitable dispensation of justice based on restorative principles; and,
9. Reforming provisions pertaining to punishment- including the death penalty, imprisonment and levy of fines- to bring them in line with modern ideals of restorative justice.
10. Developing a coherent sentencing policy to aid legislative and judicial actions and decision making process;
11. Examining the work and recommendations of previous Committees and Commissions on various aspects of procedural criminal law;
12. Aligning the provisions of the Cr.P.C with judicial decisions, wherever necessary; and,
13. Recommending such other reforms as may be necessary.