India’s criminal justice system, founded on the principles of liberty, equality, and dignity, often fails to uphold these ideals for marginalized communities. Regulatory gaps, inaccessible legal aid, and systemic inefficiencies disproportionately affect the poor, criminalizing poverty and creating a cycle of exclusion. With over 75% of prisoners being undertrials, access to justice becomes contingent on privilege. The judiciary, overwhelmed by backlogs and systemic hesitation, struggles to protect individual rights. This article calls for comprehensive reforms, including accessible legal aid, systemic transparency, and a shift from punitive measures to restorative justice, ensuring that the invisible and marginalized are central to the system.
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