Every acquittal in a criminal case should be understood as a failure of the justice delivery system and in serving the cause of justice, the Supreme Court on Tuesday said directing the Governments to punish investigating officers in such cases.
A Bench of justices CK Prasad and JS Khehar expressed concern over the growing number of acquittals due to poor investigation and directed all State Governments to put in place a mechanism within six months for proper training of its officers to ensure the accused is punished and at the same time innocent persons are not framed in criminal cases.
“Every acquittal should be understood as a failure of the justice delivery system, in serving the cause of justice. likewise, every acquittal should ordinarily lead to the inference that an innocent person was wrongfully prosecuted.