Question : MALIMATH COMMITTEE ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM

(a) whether the Government has constituted Malimath Committee on Criminal Justice System in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the terms of reference of the said Committee;

(c) whether the Committee has submitted its report to the Government;

(d) if so, the details thereof along with the major recommendations made by the said Committee;

(e) the action taken by the Government on the recommendations of the Committee; and

(f) the other steps taken by the Government to revamp the criminal justice system?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI MULLAPPALLY RAMACHANDRAN)

(a) & (b): Government of India had constituted a Committee under the Chairmanship of Justice Dr. V.S. Malimath on 24th November, 2000 to consider measures for revamping the Criminal Justice System.

(c) & (d): The Committee submitted its report in April, 2003 containing 158 recommendations and suggestions to effect major administrative and legislative changes.

(e) to (f): Advisories have been issued to the State Governments/UT Administrations with regard to those recommendations which were implementable through administrative measures. As regards, those recommendations, which require amendments to various laws i.e. Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure etc., views/comments of the State Governments/UT Administrations have been sought as the Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure are in the Concurrent list of Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India requiring consultation with the State Governments. To revamp the Criminal Justice System, Ministry of Law and Justice have also been requested to thoroughly examine the related issues including the recommendations of Malimath Committee for suggesting comprehensive amendments/reforms in the system.