Rethinking Evidence And Adjudication In India: A Critical Study Of Reform And Judicial Rationality
- IJLLR Journal
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
Mr. Ankit Kumar Maddheshiya, B.A. LL.B. (H), Amity Law School, Amity University, Noida.
Ms. Ekta Gupta, Associate Professor, Amity Law School, Amity University, Noida.
ABSTRACT
A key determinant of any legal system's efficacy is its ability to deliver justice based on truth-finding, reasonable evidentiary practice, and coherent judicial reasoning. Indeed, in the Indian context, the evidentiary regime, which was traditionally shaped by the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 and more recently amended in 2023 via the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, continues to play an essential role. However, various factors, from the proliferation of digital evidence to procedural inflexibility, inconsistencies in judicial decisions, and ineffective investigations, necessitate major reforms.
This paper seeks to identify key structural and functional limitations of existing evidentiary practice and judicial reasoning in India. Based on an analysis of the discussed topics, several directions for comprehensive reform in terms of evidentiary practice and judicial reasoning are proposed. They include simplification and rationalization of evidentiary rules, modernization of electronic evidence systems, and exclusionary criteria adjustment. Further, the study focuses on the need to increase the level of investigation standards and use of forensic science methods.
It also addresses the issues of witness protection and testimonial technology, procedural delays, and poor management of cases by judges. Additionally, the paper reviews judicial precedents as important elements of dynamic legal system and highlights the growing role of technological innovations, especially digitalization, online dispute resolution, and artificial intelligence.
Despite potential challenges of reform, from institutional opposition to technological problems, the research concludes that well-planned changes can contribute to making the justice system in India better at discovering truth and providing people with efficient and high-quality legal protection. Thus, this paper aims to discuss key structural and functional problems and their solutions, as well as the need to ensure an optimal balance between procedural technicalities and substantive justice in court proceedings.
Keywords: Evidentiary Reform, Judicial Reasoning, Evidentiary Rationality, Forensic Investigation, Justice Delivery System.
