Death Penalty or Victim Centric Justice System?
Death Penalty or Victim-Centric Justice System? 04/02/2020 For the past few days, since the Supreme Court awarded the death penalty to four convicts, the media headlines are screaming for the blood of rapists who brutally gang-raped Nirbhaya or Jyoti Singh on 16th December 2012. Heated discussions are going on regarding the execution of convicts where several experts and activists argue against the death penalty, while there are those who are in favor of it. However, what is ignored in this intensive debate is the fact that it is essential to ensure the certainty of punishment rather than stressing the severity of punishment. Secondly, this debate diverts attention from the plight of victims, survivors, and their families who are the crux of the criminal justice system. This essay suggests that the need is to focus on the victim-centric approach. Making violent men accountable for their criminal actions, guaranteeing fast-track quality hearings, having proper witness and victim prote