<p>“In another 21 cases, the agency has sought permission from the Central government to withdraw prosecution proceedings,” said CBI officials. Some of these cases are being withdrawn following “settlement” and “admission of guilt” by the accused “as per law.”<br />According to the CBI, the number of cases being investigated by the agency is increasing every year on account of the huge gap between the registration of cases and their disposal by the courts. <br /><br />The additional special courts would function as “model courts.” They will hold day-to-day proceedings and avoid unnecessary adjournments. A recurring expenditure of Rs 30 lakh per annum and non-recurring expenditure of Rs 15 lakh has been estimated to set up each court. State governments have been requested to expedite the establishment of these courts. A statement showing location-wise and state-wise details of these courts has also been sent to the states. As per law, the CBI can withdraw prosecution proceedings in a case if the Centre permits. <br /><br />A new Chapter XXI A, related to plea bargaining, has been added to the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 with effect from July 5, 2006. Plea bargain is an agreement reached in a criminal case leading towards settlement. All the related parties –– the investigating agency, the prosecutor, the victim and the accused –– must agree to settle the case in which the accused pleads guilty to the offence for which a trial is pending.<br /></p>
<p>“In another 21 cases, the agency has sought permission from the Central government to withdraw prosecution proceedings,” said CBI officials. Some of these cases are being withdrawn following “settlement” and “admission of guilt” by the accused “as per law.”<br />According to the CBI, the number of cases being investigated by the agency is increasing every year on account of the huge gap between the registration of cases and their disposal by the courts. <br /><br />The additional special courts would function as “model courts.” They will hold day-to-day proceedings and avoid unnecessary adjournments. A recurring expenditure of Rs 30 lakh per annum and non-recurring expenditure of Rs 15 lakh has been estimated to set up each court. State governments have been requested to expedite the establishment of these courts. A statement showing location-wise and state-wise details of these courts has also been sent to the states. As per law, the CBI can withdraw prosecution proceedings in a case if the Centre permits. <br /><br />A new Chapter XXI A, related to plea bargaining, has been added to the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 with effect from July 5, 2006. Plea bargain is an agreement reached in a criminal case leading towards settlement. All the related parties –– the investigating agency, the prosecutor, the victim and the accused –– must agree to settle the case in which the accused pleads guilty to the offence for which a trial is pending.<br /></p>