Putting someone behind bars can’t be substitute of final conviction: SC

NEW DELHI: The state cannot use its might to put someone behind bars as a substitute for final conviction, the Supreme Court observed on Tuesday, expressing concern over the “growing trend”.

A bench of justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Hrishikesh Roy was critical of the “new philosophy” applied by the police and the prosecution to try and keep people in jail at least for a few days as a form of punishment prior to proving the guilt. “Putting someone behind bars cannot be a substitute of final conviction. Ultimately, the philosophy now seems to have become that let us keep someone behind bars at least for some days even if there is no conviction in the end. State cannot use its might like this,” observed the bench.

The bench also commented on the independence of the investigating agencies. “...some {officers} are more interested about what after retirement for them,” remarked the bench.

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Courtappointed panel on three new farm laws on Tuesday held consultations with representatives of the All India Kisan Coordination Committee (AIKCC) to take their views on the legislations that were enacted in September last year.

The Supreme Court had on January 12 stayed the implementation of the three contentious farm laws for two months and asked the committee to submit a report after consulting the stakeholders.

Thousands of farmers, especially from Punjab, Haryana and parts of Uttar Pradesh, have been camping at Delhi’s borders for nearly three months now seeking repeal of the new laws and a legal guarantee of the minimum support price system.

“The Supreme Court appointed Committee on recently enacted Farm Acts held its interaction from NASC complex, Pusa, New Delhi today with the office bearers of All lndia Kisan Coordination Committee (AIKCC),” the panel said in a statement.