Speedy justice in India's badlands

Amarnath Tewary
Patna, Bihar

Over 200 people sent to prison for life, three punished with death by hanging, and over 80 others sent to prison for a decade or more.

Legislator Devnath Yadav was sentenced to life imprisonment by a fast track court [Pic: Prashant Ravi]

This is a sample of punishments that new fast track courts in the northern Indian state of Bihar have meted out in the past three months.

For a state which is embarrassingly described as the "most lawless" place in India, Bihar is trying to stem its burgeoning crime wave with speedy trials.

This is a state where the police records admit to a murder every two hours, a rape every six hours and a bank heist every day.

Then there is kidnapping for ransom, which has been a flourishing business. There have been 30,000 cases of kidnapping since 1992, with cases being reported every six hours.

But now the authorities say they want to make Bihar a safer place to live and work in.

Activism

They say quick investigation and speedy trials have been made a priority.

So much so that sometimes a case is finished within 24 hours.

"Since we launched this drive in January, we have had convictions in 620 [criminal] cases," says senior police officer Abhyanand.

This means an average of three convictions a day - unusually high for a state like Bihar.

The cases can involve small crimes, but also serious offences like kidnappings, murders, rapes and robberies.

Bihar is India's most lawless state

"In the last three months three people have been given death sentences, 229 people have been sentenced for life, and 83 more have been sent to jail for 10 years or more," says the officer.

The police activism seems to be bearing fruit with many cases ending in convictions in record time.

Last month, a local court in Rohtas district created history of sorts when it concluded the trial in a rape case in just two days and announced a jail term of seven years for the accused.

The administration is also trying to send out a message that no one, however well connected, will be spared if found guilty.

Caution

Last week a member of the state legislative assembly, Devnath Yadav, was convicted and sent to jail in connection with a murder case.

The super-fast trials have succeeded in sending a message out to the criminals that they are being watched.

They are also intended to assure people that justice will prevail.

The quick disposal of cases has also got a big thumbs up from the lawyers.

Bihar's Advocate General, PK Sahi, says "speedy trials are important as justice delayed in justice denied".

A prominent criminal lawyer, Soni Srivastava, agrees.

Time will tell if the fast trials will reduce crime

"Sometimes the best evidence in a case may not be produced in court in a short span of time. But a speedy trial is essential as delays almost always go in favour of the accused," she says.

Socialist scientist Shaibal Gupta sounds a note of caution.

"Speedy trials make sense if all steps from filing charge sheets to the trial are done properly. Otherwise, there may be a miscarriage of justice."

The police are, however, upbeat about fast track trials, and now setting higher targets.

"This is just the tip of the iceberg. Soon, there will be 10 convictions in the state every day compared to just three now," says Mr Abhyanand.

Time will only tell whether these trials have been fair and will help in checking crime.