CRIMINAL LAW

PRINCIPLES OF THE FAIR TRIAL

The Fair Trial is a neutral trial which is conducted to accord each party to the proceeding their due process rights. The right applies to both civil and criminal proceedings. Right to the fair trial also applies to the military disciplinary hearings. The right to a fair trial is concerned with the procedural fairness, rather than the substantive decision of the court or tribunal. Right to the fair trial is an international norm which is adopted by many countries in their procedural law.

JURISDICTION OF POLICE STATIONS IN INDIA

In the modern state, Police is a powerful and an indispensable entity. It serves as the foremost line of defence against domestic contingencies and performs the broad function of maintaining law and order. In lieu of its functions, it forms an integral component of the Criminal Justice System.

States are divided into various police districts, the oversight of which is assigned area-wise to police stations. Police Acts enacted by various state governments provide that the State Gover

FIRST INFORMATION REPORTS: THE POINT OF FIRST CONTACT

Under the scheme of the CrPC, the first point of contact of complainants with the police is through the medium of First Information Reports, commonly referred to as FIRs. To encourage reporting of crime, the CrPC clearly states that a SHO cannot refuse to register a FIR: the only situation, in which he is permitted to do so, is when the facts do not suggest the commission of a cognizable offence. In all other cases, Section 157(1) mandates that an investigation must commence. Section 156(1) p