India’s justice system stands at a crucial juncture, it is becoming very challenging to keep up the spirit of justice in the day-to -day life of the common man.
The principles of justice are rooted in our Constitution, emphasizing social, economic, and political justice, equality before law, and the right to a fair trial, while also ensuring the independence of the judiciary and protecting fundamental rights.
The most progressive laws like BNS are plagued by inefficiencies in execution. With over 50 million pending cases and 300 years to clear the backlog. Even at the Supreme Court, cases take an average of 13 years for a verdict, underscoring the need for systemic improvements. These delays have significant consequences, including an estimated 2% loss to India’s GDP annually. Though there is a collective will to improve the system, the barriers to reporting and delayed and poor quality resolution process makes it difficult for a common citizen to access justice.
Understanding the Challenge: Structural Barriers to Timely Justice
The Indian legal system faces structural challenges that impact its efficiency:
- Barriers of taking the first step: A staggering 90% of victims never officially report their grievances, translating to an estimated 180 million unregistered complaints each year. This silence is not accidental; it is a direct consequence of several interconnected barriers that have been explained just after this section.
- Inadequate Complaint Drafting: The complaint remains the first and most powerful document for starting the journey of justice. Many victims lack the legal knowledge and expertise to draft effective complaints, which can weaken their cases and reduce the likelihood of a successful outcome.
- Police Personnel Shortage: A significant shortage of police personnel, with only one-third of positions filled, resulting in delays in investigation and response times.
- Cumbersome Legal Procedures: The legal system in India can be complex and intimidating, with numerous procedural hurdles and delays. This can discourage victims from pursuing their cases and lead to a sense of frustration and helplessness.
These bottlenecks create a vicious cycle where cases pile up, law enforcement is stretched thin, and justice becomes increasingly elusive.
The Silent Struggle: Understanding Why Victims Don’t Report
Accessing justice is often easier for those with resources and legal knowledge. A staggering 90% of victims never officially report their grievances, translating to an estimated 180 million unregistered complaints each year. This silence is not accidental; it is a direct consequence of several interconnected barriers:
- Ignorance: A significant portion of the population remains unaware of the legal procedures and avenues available to them for seeking redress. This lack of knowledge prevents them from taking the first step towards justice.
- Perceived Low Severity: In many cases, victims may perceive the effort required to file a complaint as disproportionate to the severity of the issue they have faced. This perception, coupled with the potential inconvenience of navigating the legal system, can deter individuals from pursuing justice.
- Hopelessness: A pervasive lack of faith in the efficacy and fairness of the justice system can discourage victims from seeking its intervention. This distrust may stem from past experiences, anecdotal evidence, or a general perception of corruption and inefficiency within the system.
- Unknown Consequences: Victims may be apprehensive about the potential repercussions of reporting a crime, including retaliation from the perpetrator or entanglement in protracted legal proceedings. This fear can be particularly pronounced in cases involving powerful individuals or organized crime.
This silence is often influenced by systemic challenges that can make it difficult for victims to seek justice.
Simpler Today: A Voice for 1 Billion People
Simpler Today is a platform that seeks to address these systemic issues and make justice more accessible. Our platform provides accurate legal guidance and streamlines the process, making it easier for victims to take desired decisions and action. Simpler Today is designed to empower victims, break down barriers to justice, and make justice faster and accessible for all.