CONCEPT OF PLEA BARGAINING
By:- Aindri Jaiswal
INTRODUCTION:-
.
Plea bargaining is a pretrial negotiation between the accused and the prosecution where
the accused agrees to plead guilty in exchange for certain concessions by the
prosecution. It is a bargain where a defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge and the
prosecutors in return drop more serious charges. It is not available for all types of
crime e.g. a person cannot claim plea bargaining after committing heinous crimes or for
the crimes which are punishable with death or life imprisonment.
Plea Bargaining in India
Plea Bargaining is not an indigenous concept of Indian legal system. It is a part of the
recent development of Indian Criminal Justice System (ICJS). It was inculcated in
Indian Criminal Justice System after considering the burden of long-standing cases on
the Judiciary.
Criminal Procedure Code and Plea Bargaining
Section 265A to 265L, Chapter XXIA of the Criminal Procedure Code deals with the
concept of Plea Bargaining. It was inserted into the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act,
2005.
1. Where the maximum punishment is imprisonment for 7 years;
2. Where the offenses don’t affect the socio-economic condition of the country;
3. When the offenses are not committed against a woman or a child below 14 are
excluded
Types of Plea Bargaining
Plea Bargaining is generally of three types namely:-
1. Sentence bargaining;
2. Charge bargaining;
3. Fact bargaining.
Concept S. No. Type Meaning
2
2
Plea Bargaining
1. Sentence
bargaining
In this type of
bargaining the
main motive is to
get a lesser
sentence. In
Sentence
bargaining, the
defendant agrees to
plead guilty to the
stated charge and
in return, he
bargains for a
lighter sentence.
2. Charge bargaining
This kind of plea
bargaining happens
for getting less
severe charges.
This the most
common form of
plea bargaining in
criminal cases.
Here the defendant
agrees to plead
guilty to a lesser
charge in
consideration of
dismissing greater
charges. E.g.
Pleading for
manslaughter for
dropping the
charges of murder.
3. Fact bargaining
This is generally
not used in courts
because it is alleged
to be against
Criminal Justice
System. It occurs
when a defendant
agrees to stipulate
to certain facts in
order to prevent
other facts from
being introduced
into evidence.
3
3
Arguments against Plea Bargaining in India
Voluntarily adopted Mechanism
As per the legal provision dealing with Plea bargaining, it is a voluntary mechanism
which is only entertained when accused opts it willingly. But the law is silent on the
point that in case, the settlement reached is contrary to the purpose of the legal system.
Involvement of Police
The Involvement of the police in plea bargaining also attracts criticism. As India is
infamous for the custodial torture by police. In such scenario, the concept of Plea
Bargaining is more likely to aggravate the situation.
Corruption
The role of victims in plea bargaining process is also not appreciated. The role of victim
in this process would attract corruption which is ultimately defeating the purpose which
is sought to be achieved by such action.
Conclusion
The concept of plea bargaining is not entirely new in India. Indian has already
recognized it when it got its constitution in 1950. Article 20(3) of Indian constitution
prohibits self-incrimination. People accuse plea bargaining of violatory of the said
article. But with the passage of time the considering the encumbrance on the courts, the
Indian court has felt the need of Plea bargaining in Indian legal system. When a change
is brought it is hard to accept it initially but society needs to grow so is our legal system.
Everything has advantages and disadvantages and both have to be analyzed in order
reach a sound conclusion. Rejecting something only on the basis of its disadvantages
would not be justified in any case. The concept of plea bargaining is evolving in India
and it is not appropriate to expect it to be perfect. It can only be improved by debate,
discussions, and discourses.
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