The Concept Of Fair Trial In India
- IJLLR Journal
- Apr 30
- 1 min read
Rita Laha, LLM (Criminal Law), Amity University, Uttar Pradesh
Dr. Rajeev Kumar Singh, Faculty of Amity University, Uttar Pradesh
ABSTRACT
The concept of fair trial in India represents a cornerstone of the nation's criminal justice system, embodying fundamental principles of justice, equity, and human dignity. This research paper examines the multifaceted dimensions of fair trial rights in India, tracing their evolution from constitutional foundations through judicial interpretation to recent legislative reforms. The Indian Constitution, through Articles 14, 20, 21, and 22, establishes the bedrock principles upon which fair trial guarantees rest. This paper analyzes landmark Supreme Court decisions that transformed procedural fairness from statutory requirements to constitutional imperatives, particularly highlighting the watershed moment in Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India. The research explores the comprehensive legislative framework, with special attention to the revolutionary reforms enacted through the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, which replaced colonial-era legislation. It examines India's compliance with international human rights standards while identifying persistent challenges including case backlog, resource limitations, and tensions between security imperatives and procedural rights. The paper concludes that fair trial in India represents an evolving concept that increasingly balances defendant rights with victim participation, technological innovation with procedural integrity, and security concerns with fundamental guarantees of justice.
Keywords: Fair trial, Indian Constitution, Judicial interpretation, BNSS, Procedural rights.
