MADHAVAN PANEL RECOMMANDATION FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE

- The Union Home Ministry constituted Madhavan Panel, for reforming criminal justice has given its recommandation. the committee was reacquired to draft the policy in light of prevailing law & practices, socio cultural values, changing nature of crime. the aim was to streamline justice delivery system & making legal machinery uncomplicated, inexpensive & fairer. the committee has taken note of wide spread dissatisfaction with the manner in which criminals are prosecuted, the influence of money, & problems faced in registration of complaints.

- The committee suggests multiple criminal codes depending upon gravity of injury & response needed, in the first two catagories Social Welfare Offence Code (SWOC) & Correlational Offences Code (COC), recourse to arrest should be an exception & an elaborate prosecution system avoided. the penal code should be applied to graver crimes punishable with imprisonment of up to 3 years / death. also these cases should be quickly processed & protection of human rights & accountability from law enforcement agencies should be ensured. lastly, the economic offences code should deal with crimes threathing national security.

- Noting the disparity in sentences delivered for same offences, the panel recommandes a sentencing board of 3 judge's including the trial judge for crimes punishable with death / life sentence. also it suggest involving of probation more often, especially in case of short term imprisonments.

- For fast processing & simplification of legal procedures, the panel advocates introduction of e-FIR's, making audio/ video statements admissble as evidence in courts & tackling custodial violence more severely. it also suggests code of ethics for lawyers & providing for psychiatric & rehabiliative services to victims & incorporating a system of compensation.

- Finally, the panel suggests two seperate law to deal with child in conflict with law & child in need of care & protection. it has also recommanded ways to tackle chemical & biological warfare through legal measures.