EVOLVING DIMENSIONS OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND LEGAL REFORMS: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE INDIAN LEGAL FRAMEWORK

Abstract

Critical examination of the evolving dimensions of criminal justice and legal reforms in India is undertaken within the broader framework of constitutional democracy and governance transformation. It explores how the criminal justice system, rooted in colonial codification, has transitioned through various stages of reform toward a more rights-based, participatory, and technologically adaptive model. The research aims to assess the adequacy of these reforms in achieving procedural fairness, institutional accountability, and accessibility to justice for all citizens.Employing a qualitative and doctrinal research design, complemented by comparative and socio-legal perspectives, the study draws upon legislative texts, judicial decisions, Law Commission reports, and empirical policy studies. The analytical framework integrates doctrinal evaluation, comparative analysis, and governance-based inquiry to understand how legal reforms align with democratic ideals and international standards.The findings reveal that while India has undertaken significant legislative and technological reforms, deep structural challenges persist in judicial efficiency, prosecutorial independence, and custodial justice. The study emphasises the need for institutional strengthening, decentralised justice mechanisms, ethical integration of technology, and reform in legal education. It also underscores the importance of aligning justice delivery with local governance frameworks to ensure inclusivity and responsiveness.This research contributes to global discourses on justice reform by highlighting the interplay between law, governance, and social equity, reaffirming justice as the cornerstone of democratic transformation in India.