Question
Study Shanti’s case that has been mentioned in the storyboard in NCERT text book, pages 67, 68, 69 and 70 and then identify the essential elements of a fair trial.
Solution
(i)Shanti was given a copy of the chargesheet and all other evidence that the prosecution presented against her. Shanti was charged with the offence of theft that was defined as a crime in the law.
(ii)The trial was held in an open court, in public view. Her brother, Sushil was allowed to attend the court hearings. The trial was held in the presence of the accused.
(iii)Shanti was defended by a lawyer. Her lawyer, Advocate Roy was given an opportunity to cross-examine all the prosecution witnesses. Advocate Roy was given an opportunity to present witnesses in Shanti’s defence.
(ii)The trial was held in an open court, in public view. Her brother, Sushil was allowed to attend the court hearings. The trial was held in the presence of the accused.
(iii)Shanti was defended by a lawyer. Her lawyer, Advocate Roy was given an opportunity to cross-examine all the prosecution witnesses. Advocate Roy was given an opportunity to present witnesses in Shanti’s defence.
(iv)The police filed a case of theft against Shanti, but the judge assumed her to be innocent. The decided the matter on the basis of the evidence before the court. He did not jump to the conclusion that Shanti was the thief just because she was poor.
(v)Instead, he remained impartial. The evidence showed that some young men and not Shanti was the thief. Finally, the judge acquits her. In this way, Shanti got a fair trial.
