Delhi court allows foreigners from 5 countries to walk free on fine

A Delhi court has allowed some foreign nationals from five countries to walk free on the plea bargaining process after they accepted mild charges in connection with a Tablighi Jamaat congregation at Nizamuddin Markaz.

Daily Current Affairs Quiz 2020

Key-Points

Accused of violating visa conditions by attending a religious congregation in Delhi, these foreign nationals have walked free after pleading guilty to minor offences and paying the fines imposed by the court.

These cases have brought the focus on plea bargaining as a practice by which time consuming trials can be avoided.

Even though plea bargaining is available to those accused of criminal offences in India for over a decade, it is not yet common.

Plea bargaining refers to a person charged with a criminal offence negotiating with the prosecution for a lesser punishment than what is provided in law by pleading guilty to a less serious offence.

The practice would ensure speedy trial, end uncertainty over the outcome of criminal cases, save litigation costs and relieve the parties of anxiety. It could also increase the conviction rates as seen in the United States where the practise is common. It may help offenders make a fresh start in life.