2025, Vol. 7, Issue 8, Part B

Author(s): Amit Kumar Singh

Abstract: The criminal justice system serves as the cornerstone of democracy and the rule of law, ensuring fairness, accountability, and protection of individual liberties. However, in India, the investigative and trial processes often fall short of these ideals, resulting in grave violations of human rights. This paper critically examines how unfair investigation and trial procedures undermine justice and erode public trust in legal institutions. It highlights systemic flaws such as custodial torture, coerced confessions, delayed trials, denial of legal aid, and the misuse of preventive detention laws. Through a detailed exploration of constitutional guarantees under Articles 20, 21, and 22, along with statutory provisions in the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act, the study reveals the gap between legal safeguards and their practical enforcement. Judicial responses, including landmark judgments by the Supreme Court and High Courts, have sought to uphold principles of natural justice, speedy trial, and fair investigation, yet persistent challenges remain.The paper also undertakes a comparative analysis with international standards such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and best practices from jurisdictions like the United Kingdom and the United States. The findings suggest that structural inadequacies, lack of accountability mechanisms, and excessive executive influence contribute to recurring rights violations.

DOI: 10.33545/27068919.2025.v7.i8b.1620

Pages: 87-94 | Views: 468 | Downloads: 56

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