The urgent need for justice and accountability in our society cannot be overstated. Public safety is not just a legal obligation; it is a fundamental right that must be upheld with urgency and clarity. Any act of crime—whether it is the horrific violence against women, the exploitation of vulnerable citizens, or the unchecked actions of corrupt individuals—demands immediate and decisive action.
Justice delayed is, as we know, justice denied. Delay is not just a failure of the law but a betrayal of the trust placed in it by the people. In a society where the wheels of justice grind slowly, the victims of crime bear the weight of a broken system, while the guilty walk free, unchecked. For justice to prevail, it must be swift, steadfast, impartial, and unwavering in its commitment to every citizen’s rights.
Recent brutal crimes expose glaring inefficiencies and insensitivity in India’s justice system. The rape and murder of a trainee doctor in West Bengal on 9 August 2024, the killing and dismemberment of an 18-year-old survivor by a rape accused released on bail in Odisha’s Sundargarh district on 4 December, and the tragic suicide of 34-year-old Bengaluru techie Atul Subhash, disillusioned by marital discord and legal delays, are all damning examples.
Despite public and Supreme Court condemnation, such heinous acts persist. Offenders released on bail or escaping justice without consequence deepen public frustration. Delayed processes leave victims and their families anguished, revealing a systemic failure to act swiftly and decisively.
This failure is not merely bureaucratic—it affronts fairness, equality, and societal ideals.
Equally troubling is the judiciary’s failure to address gender neutrality in marital laws, such as Sections 497 and 498A of the IPC. The 2018 removal of Section 497, criminalizing adultery, paired with the retention of Section 498A addressing marital cruelty, reflects a flawed approach. This imbalance has empowered individuals engaging in betrayal while leaving others vulnerable.
Despite recommendations from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs to amend the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, 2023, and criminalize adultery in a gender-neutral manner, the judiciary has largely ignored such calls. Progress remains elusive.
With growing fears about marriage, individuals like Atul Subhash feel reduced to financial providers, reflecting widespread disillusionment with the institution.
Where will citizens turn when justice is inaccessible? Overwhelmed courts provide little solace, trapping citizens in endless legal waits. This erosion of faith in the system raises uncomfortable questions: Can we fault those who believe a life lost might finally spur authorities into action? Or wonder if divine intervention might arrive sooner than verdicts?
These are not rhetorical—they echo the silent anguish of citizens longing for fairness and accountability.
Society’s moral decay is evident. Lies, greed, and self-interest overshadow values like integrity and fairness. Families fracture, communities erode, and trust vanishes. If we fail to reflect and act swiftly to restore justice, compassion, and respect, future generations will inherit a world devoid of humanity.
There is no room for complacency in matters of life, dignity, or safety. The question remains—who is listening?
The writer is the Founder – Meeting Minds and a Director on the Board of Planet, People, Profit Private Limited
