Enabling Access to Justice in Sexual Offences

Abstract

The academic endeavour undertaken in this study is aimed at taking stock of emerging newlinescenario in sexual offences in the State of Uttar Pradesh which takes a panoramic view of the newlinesituation ranging from professionalism in investigation to ultimate justice delivery not only in newlinethe courts but by the Government as well. The researcher being a police officer himself has newlinein- depth knowledge of various processes and practices associated in such cases right from the newlinetime of registration of report to the general quality of investigation in the existing and newlineemerging socio- political milieu. The way forward, in the opinion of the researcher is only newlinethrough induction of scientific methods and tools of investigation in general and DNA newlineanalysis in particular in sexual offence cases which can introduce the oft missing element of newlinecredibility and certainty, required for proving a case beyond doubt in Criminal \justice newlineSystem. newlineThis study was conducted in the backdrop of the State of Uttar Pradesh which not only leads newlinethe country in reporting of sexual offences against women and children but also where the newlineinvestigation by the Police is also often doubted due to greater perception of corruption, newlinefavouritism and lack of ability to withstand political pressure. Such prejudices often newlineundermine the sincere efforts of police personnel and thereby bring a sense of frustration in newlinethe minds of all stakeholders. newlineThe modern theme of Translational Criminology is premised upon the simple yet powerful newlineconcept that society in order to prevent, reduce and manage crime, must have a mechanism to newlinetranslate scientific discoveries and developments into policy and practice. It attempts to newlinecreate a dynamic and vibrant interface between research and practice. This study makes an newlineattempt to achieve the objective of highlighting through research, the legal gap existing in the newlinesystem and the perception of the key actors in Criminal Justice System regarding scientific newlineinvestigation to suggest and recommend an implementable strategy for..