Reform of convicts must be part of justice system: SC Judge

Criminal justice system in the country should not limit itself with taking penal action alone but should also think about ways to reform convicts, a Supreme Court judge said today.
The duty of judges is not just limited to taking penal action but also to pronounce verdicts that lead to reform of the convicts, Justice Sudhansu Jyoti Mukhopadhaya said.
He was delivering a lecture on 'Dynamics of Criminal Justice System in India' at the Damaodaram Sanjivayya National Law University here. Chief Justice of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana High Court Kalyan Jyoti Sengupta was also present.
"While punishment in criminal cases should be strong enough to prove a deterrent, a judgement should be such that it takes care of the victim as well as the convict," he said.

When a person returns to society after serving his prison term, he should be a reformed man so that he does not pose a danger for society again, Justice Mukhopadhaya said.
District judges should carefully utilise the minimum and maximum options while awarding punishments, he said.

Explaining further, Justice Mukhopadhaya said, "If a person has been convicted for a road accident then it makes sense in reducing his prison term while making him pay hefty penalty to the victim's family."
He also spoke about the rise in number of crimes against women, especially rape, and said one of the reasons behind this is that definition of sexual assault and other offences had been broadened.

"It is the duty of parents, particularly the mother, to teach their kids not to discriminate between genders. Crime against women is a social menace and society has to become more vigilant to curb this trend," he added.