CULMINATION OF JURY TRIALS: A CLOSER LOOK

Abstract

Trial by Jury in India was a western innovation and was carried out for a significant period. This practice, though accepted in the country, gave rise to various controversies as it failed in fulfilling its purpose of administering justice impartially. Through this paper, the authors have provided a detailed description of the abolition of jury trial system that prevailed In India until late 1960s. To corroborate the author’s stance, they have emphasized on the inefficiency of the jury trial referring to numerous infamous cases. The paper also elucidates the reasons furnished by the 14th Law Commission Report that clearly pointed out at the failure of the jury trial system and thus, recommended its abolition. While discussing about the cases which proved that jury trial defeated the entire purpose of delivering justice, special emphasis has been given on the case of KM Nanavati v State of Maharashtra. This case hogged the limelight during the trials as it highlighted the discrepancies in the system of jury trial and inflicted a major blow at its roots. The Nanavati case, because of its significant impact on the legal system, is mistakenly termed as the last case where jury trial was practiced. Through this research work, the authors thus aim to clear this misconception and bring to everyone’s notice the subsequent instances where jury decided the matter. Furthermore, the paper provides a concrete timeline of all the events that followed the Nanavati case and finally led to the abolition of jury trial system in India. In addition to this, the authors have thrown light on the changes incorporated in the procedural laws following the said abolition. Thus, a chronology of events has been presented starting from the advent of jury trial system to its miserable failure and finally, its abolition which brought about landmark changes in our legal system.