Mahima
The Supreme court has directed the High Courts to adopt draft rules of criminal practice within six months.
The draft rules are prepared by amici curiae senior advocates R Basant, Sidharth Luthra and advocate K Paremshwar.
The High Courts are directed to take prompt steps for adopting the said rules and ensure that the existing rules, notifications, orders and practice directions are befittingly modified within the period of six months.
In case the state government’s cooperation is necessarily sought, the approval of the concerned department or departments, should be taken within the said period of six months.
The formal notification of the said draft rules shall be made within the said period of six months.
The Court also notified the centre and the state government to make necessary amendments in the police rules as well within the said period of six months.
The bench of Chief Justice of India SA Bobde, Justices L Nageswara Rao and S Ravindra Bhat passed the abovementioned directions in the suo moto case In Re: To Issue Certain Guidelines Regarding Inadequacies in Criminal Trials.
High Courts have also been directed to hold a preliminary case management hearing at the beginning of all criminal trials.
The Draft Rules of Criminal Practice, 2021, deals with various aspects of criminal trial including post mortem report, charge, trial, recording of evidence, etc.