Judges stress on awareness of Plea Bargaining

Barrackpore, Dec 01 (UNI) Legal service authorities of West Bengal have taken the initiative to implement "plea bargain" system, as incorporated in Cr PC, 1973, for reducing the number of pending criminal cases in various courts.

Calcutta High Court Justice Kalyanjyoti Sengupta and Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghosh stressed on creating awareness among the inmates of the corectional homes in the state at a programme inside the Dum Dum Central Correctional Home (Jail) in North 24 Parganas today.

''This will help the accused for remission of punishment by confessing to his crime before framing of a chargesheet,'' Justice Ghosh said.

The Centre and state government along with the judiciary have decided to implement the system.

Illustrating the new law, both the judges said an adult facing prosecution under IPC could go for a voluntary "Plea Bargain" pleading himself guilty.

However, the concerned "Plea Bargain" would not be allowed under Acts like Dowry Prohibition Act, 1951, The Commission of Sati Prevention Act, Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, Protection of Women from Domestic Violence, Offences mentioned in the Protection of Civil Rights Act, SC/ST Prevention of attrocities Act.

UNI