Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, on Saturday, said the manner in which some cases were being prosecuted, particularly where cases fall because witnesses turn hostile, was a matter of concern. This was his first public, though indirect, comment on the controversial Jessica Lal case. Dr Singh also said this stressed the need to reflect whether new provisions were required in law to deliver justice.
"We are living in an era of increasing public awareness and consciousness. There is need for all of us to reflect whether the existing procedures are adequate and foolproof, whether we are using all available provisions to prevent deviant behaviour," Dr Singh said.
He was inaugurating a day-long conference of Chief Ministers and Chief Justices of High Courts. He, however, did not specifically mention the controversial acquittals in the Jessica Lal case.
Speaking at the same event, Chief Justice Y K Sabharwal said that 'something urgently needed to be done to revamp the criminal justice system'. However, he cautioned against 'knee-jerk' reactions and 'overburdening' the judicial magistracy without providing adequate manpower.