New Delhi, Mar 17 (LAB): “There is a need for developing a national protocol for plea bargaining,” Attorney General for India R. Venkataramani said. He emphasised that structured and transparent mechanisms are essential to effectively manage judicial resources and enhance the speed of justice delivery in the country.
The remarks were made at a high-level seminar titled “Delivering Justice in Time: Global Practices and Indian Experiences”, jointly organised by O.P. Jindal Global University and National Law University Delhi, which brought together leading legal experts to deliberate on urgent reforms in India’s justice delivery system.
Addressing the gathering, the Attorney General reiterated the importance of institutional mechanisms such as plea bargaining to reduce case backlog and ensure efficient utilisation of judicial resources.
Plea bargaining is a pre-trial negotiation in criminal law where the defendant agrees to plead guilty, often to a lesser charge or for a reduced sentence, in exchange for concessions from the prosecutor or court. This process avoids a full trial, saving time and resources for both parties.
In his keynote address, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Senior Advocate at the Supreme Court of India and Member of Parliament, highlighted the alarming pendency of over 5 crore cases across courts in India. He stressed the need for comprehensive judicial reforms, including filling judicial vacancies, strengthening mediation frameworks, and improving coordination among courts, police, and prison systems.
The seminar also featured key insights from C. Raj Kumar, Founding Vice Chancellor of O.P. Jindal Global University, and G. S. Bajpai, Vice Chancellor of National Law University Delhi. They, along with senior advocates, academicians, and legal experts, discussed global best practices, technological interventions in judicial processes, and policy measures aimed at ensuring timely access to justice.
The discussions reflected growing national concern over judicial delays and underscored the pressing need for systemic reforms. Experts emphasised that a combination of policy innovation, institutional strengthening, and technology-driven solutions is essential to address the challenges facing India’s justice delivery system./ SNG