(Reopens DEL30)

Srikumar also suggested various changes in police forces for ensuring speedy justice to the aggrieved parties. "In our current system of criminal justice, it is only the accused that sees through the case till its very end to protect his or her interests, whereas all other stakeholders of the case keep changing, lose interest or focus and attention on the case with ease. "We need to urgently change our strategies to ensure speedy justice both for the accused and for the society which is the hapless and voiceless victim in most corruption cases," the Vigilance Commissioner said. Changes were needed from legislative point of view, financial front, technical, managerial, procedural and attitudinal among others, he said. "In the current scenario of increased civil society and citizen participation calling for better governance, and tougher laws to tackle corruption, ensuring gender justice and making way for freedom of choice and expression, it is to be remembered that the basic doctrine of 'Rule of law' being upheld at every stage in society, needs to be quickly revisited. "We need to address measures needed to strengthen the institutional mechanisms to improve law enforcement. Equality before law is fundamental, and unless and until the law enforcement is made to act without fear or favour, our slide to anarchy cannot be stopped," Srikumar said.