Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 17: Jammu & Kashmir State Judicial Academy in its endeavour to further strengthen judicial skills regarding just sentencing policy and procedure, victim compensation under Code of Criminal Procedure and Victim Compensation Scheme organised one day special training programme for the Judicial Officers of Jammu province.
The programme was organized under the guidance and patronage of Chief Patron of State Judicial Academy, Justice N. Paul Vasanthakumar, Chief Justice, High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Governing Body of the State Judicial Academy Justice Muzaffar Hussain Attar, Chairman and Justice Janak Raj Kotwal, Member.
Proceedings were conducted by Abdul Rashid Malik, Director, State Judicial Academy. In his introductory remarks, he highlighted the long line of judicial pronouncements of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court which recognise in no uncertain terms a paradigm shift in the approach towards the victims of crime who were held entitled to reparation, restitution, compensation for lost and injury suffered by them.
Justice Bansi Lal Bhat gave an overview of the criminal justice system in light of the leading Supreme Court judgments. He threadbare discussed provisions of CrPC relating to victims compensation with special reference to Sections 545 and 545-A in light of Supreme Court judgement in Manohar Singh’s case. He interacted with Judicial Officers and responded to all the queries raised by the participant judges regarding grant of compensation to the victims of crime.
Justice Bhat highlighted that there are no legislative or judicially laid guidelines to assist trial court in meting out just punishment to accused facing trial before it after he is held guilty of charges. “Court takes into account combination of different factors while exercising discretion in sentencing that is proportionality, deterrence, rehabilitation, mitigating and aggravating circumstances etc. Punishment shall be just, adequate and commensurate with the guilt of the accused,” he added.
There was open house discussion and the Judicial Officers shared their rich experience while dealing with the victims of the crime and passing the sentences.
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