A fair justice system must respect the rights of the accused. They are the
legal protections that prevent people from being detained arbitrarily and
guarantee that they are treated fairly throughout the course of the
investigation, the trial, and the sentence process. The Indian Constitution
states in Article 21 that "no person shall be deprived of his life or personal
liberty except in accordance with the procedure established by law, nor shall
any person be denied equality before the law or equal protection of the laws
within the territory of India."
A reasonable and fair trial without arbitrary procedures is also included,
suggesting that an arrest should be both lawful and warranted. This article
addresses the procedural and constitutional rights of the accused in India both
before and after their arrest in this context. The accused person is deemed
innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, unless and until exceptions are
made, unless and until otherwise stated.
The idea of a free and fair trial is a constitutional obligation since the
Indian constitution is devoted to democracy and the rule of law, and the core
idea of criminal law focuses around Natural Justice, in which even the accused
or guilty person is treated with humanity. The prosecution must establish the
accused's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in order to succeed in court. The
Indian Constitution guarantees the most fundamental rights for the accused,
which are also given to them.
During any investigation, inquiry, or trial for the offence with which he is
charged, an accused person has certain rights and should be shielded from
arbitrary or unlawful arrest.
A defendant has the following important rights:
- A person suspected of a crime has the right to stay silent while being
questioned by police authorities. The Fifth Amendment of the United States
Constitution protects people against self-incrimination and guarantees this
privilege.
- An accused person has the right to legal representation at all levels of
the criminal court system. An attorney will be supplied for the accused if
they are unable to pay for one.
- An accused person has the right to legal representation at all levels of
the criminal court system. An attorney will be supplied for the accused if
they are unable to pay for one.
- The right to a fair trial guarantees that the accused will receive an
impartial and fair trial. This covers the right to an impartial jury, the
right to question witnesses directly, and the right to make a defence
argument.
According to Section 50 (2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (Cr.P.C.), if a
police officer makes an unwarranted arrest, he is required to let the individual
know that he is eligible for release on bail and that he is free to get sureties
on his behalf.
The Code of Criminal Procedure (Cr.P.C.) Section 54 states that when a person
who has been arrested, whether on a charge or otherwise, claims that the
examination of his body will produce evidence that will negate the commission by
him of any offence or that will prove that another person committed an offence
against his body, the Magistrate shall order the examination of the person's
body.
How To Rights Of The Accused Differ In Civil Cases Versus Criminal Cases
There are numerous differences between the rights of the accused in civil and
criminal cases. In criminal cases, the accused is entitled to a speedy trial,
information about the nature and basis of the accusation, the opportunity to
cross-examine witnesses, a process that makes it mandatory to find witnesses who
will testify in their favour, and the assistance of counsel for their defence.
The accused is not entitled to a speedy trial in civil cases, nor is the right
to counsel guaranteed.The Crime Victims' Rights Act, which gives victims in
criminal proceedings various rights, including the right to be reasonably
safeguarded from the accused and the court system, also safeguards their rights.
Common Violation Of The Rights Of The Accused
The right to counsel, the right to a speedy trial, the ability to cross-examine
witnesses, and the right to know the substance and basis of the charge are among
the rights of the accused that are frequently violated in criminal proceedings.
Cruel and unusual punishment, double jeopardy, and arbitrary searches and
seizures are examples of other infractions.
It's crucial to remember that the Fourteenth Amendment's right to due process of
law for suspects and defendants is violated if any criminal procedural
protections from the Bill of Rights are not present. Although victims of crimes
have rights as well, such rights do not take precedence over those of the
guilty.
Conclusion
Modern constitutional law has gone a long way when it comes to defending and
preserving the rights of criminal defendants. India has a serious issue with
unlawful detentions, which frequently lead to unlawful detention-related deaths.
The legal system in India, which upholds the notion of "Innocent until proven
guilty," provides that when a police officer knocks on a suspect's door to make
an arrest, the suspect's rights as an arrested person remain unchanged.
In
D.K. Basu v. State of West Bengal (1997), the Supreme Court
established some rules that must be adhered to in all instances of arrest or
detention. These rules included that the arresting official must display clear,
legible identification and name tags with their official titles.
References:
- https://www.legalserviceindia.com/legal/article-219-rights-of-accused-persons.html
- https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/readersblog/your-life-your-decisions/what-are-the-rights-of-the-accused-person-in-india-37467/
- https://www.britannica.com/topic/rights-of-accused
- https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution-conan/amendment-5/due-process-and-the-rights-of-criminal-defendants-overview
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