New Delhi: The government is working on a proposal to amend the code of criminal procedure (CrPC), restricting the powers of police to arrest when a person is available for interrogation by issuing notices, barring in cases of heinous crimes. A separate ‘bail act’ is also under consideration that would limit the discretionary powers of courts in granting relief to an accused.
The law ministry is keen to undertake a comprehensive reform of the criminal justice system and has referred the matter to the law commission for its recommendations on various amendments required in the CrPC.
The issue was discussed last month at a high-level meeting chaired by law minister Sadananda Gowda with minister of state for home Kiren Rijiju and top jurist Madhava Menon present along with senior officials of the law ministry.
A source said the government has shown interest in the ‘restorative justice’ model, a concept gaining ground across the world and under which, even before the investigation is initiated, the victim gets a role and may negotiate and settle the dispute through courts or by plea bargaining.
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