Relevance : GS Paper II
Context
The encounter killings of four alleged rapists by the Hyderabad police has received a mixed response.
Views against the encounter
- Encounter was fake.
- It violated principles of the rule of law.
Reasons for public support to the encounter
- Public has become hugely dissatisfied with the criminal justice system.
- This discontent is due to:
- poor rate of conviction, and
- delay in the disposal of cases.
“Lynch justice”
- There is an increasing tendency of the public to deliver instant “lynch justice” due to perception of the incompetence of the justice system.
- Such public perception sometimes provides a license to the police to deal with criminals by using illegal methods.
Impact of public outrage
- Public outrage at injustice on some occasions has beneficial outcomes, for example, Jessica Lal case, December 12 Delhi rape and murder case.
- Public outcry over ghastly crimes is thus welcome if it results in improving the working of the criminal justice system.
- It must, however, be ensured that public outrage results in in strengthening the rule of law, and not in subverting it.
Conclusion
It is time the government devoted greater attention to reforming the criminal justice system. The capability of the system to control crime and deliver justice in time must be enhanced.
