Laxity by cops leading to acquittal of criminals: CJ

Karnataka High Court’s Chief Justice S K Mukherjee said negligence by the police in investigating cases is the main reason why criminals are being acquitted in courts.

Coming down heavily on the police for their methods of investigation, Chief Justice Mukherjee said, “The investigating officers (IO) are not discharging their duties while investigating the case. Lack of evidence against the accused is delaying the justice system. Due to negligence of the IO, criminals are tampering with evidence and are being acquitted easily,” he added.

Changes in guidelines
Speaking after the inauguration of a seminar on ‘Enhancing the effectiveness of criminal justice system’, here on Saturday, Chief Justice Mukherjee said that when there is a delay in procuring reports from the Forensic Science Laboratory, the IO retires from the case. This helps the accused in court cases. There is a need to make some changes in our criminal justice system and bring about changes even in the guidelines.

DG and IGP, R K Dutta said that in 2015, of the 31 lakh criminal cases that were registered, only four lakh cases were disposed of.

He expressed displeasure over the fact that though around 73,000 criminal cases have reached the final stage, only 20,000 cases have been disposed of in the past three years.