LAW RELATING TO PLEA

BARGAINING
ASSINGMENT 2
SUBMITTED BY HARDEEP SINGH 19381156.LLM SEM 2
SUBMITTED TO – DR.VARINDER KUMAR KAUSHIK
(PROF. & HOD)
PUNJAB SCHOOL OF LAW
• Plea bargaining in India The Doctrine of Nolo Contendere or Plea
Bargaining has been introduced by Criminal Law Amendment Act,
2005. A new Chapter XXI A on Plea Bargaining was introduced in the
Criminal Procedure Code, 1973. The term Plea Bargaining can be
defined as pre-trial negotiations between the accused and the
prosecution where the accused pleads guilty in exchange for certain
concessions by the prosecution. The twin object of plea bargaining
is to reduce the delay involved in criminal trial and to punish the
accused with a lesser sentence for pleading his guilt. Types of Plea
BargainingPlea Bargaining can be divided into two
categories:Charge BargainingIn case of charge bargain, the accused
pleads guilty in exchange of the promise made by prosecutor to
reduce or dismiss some of the charges brought against him.
• Sentence BargainingIn case of sentence bargaining the
accused pleads guilty in exchange of a promise by the
prosecutor to recommend a lighter or alternative
sentence. Who can file application for Plea
BargainingThe concept of plea bargaining is applicable
to an accused against whom:Police report has been
forwarded by the officer in charge of the police station
alleging commission of offence by the accused;A
Magistrate has taken cognizance of an offence on
complaint.The provisions of the chapter are not
applicable to:any juvenile, orchildPlea Bargaining is not
available to an accused if:
• If he has been charged with offences punishable with death, life
imprisonment, or a term exceeding seven years,The offence with which
the accused had been charged affects the social-economic condition of
the country, orOffence has been committed against a woman, or a child
below the age of fourteen years.Procedure of Plea BargainingA person
accused of an offence may file an application for plea bargaining in the
Court in which such offence is pending for trial.The application shall
contain a brief description of the case and shall be accompanied by an
affidavit of accused stating that he has voluntarily preferred the
application and has not previously been convicted by a Court with the
same offence.If the Court finds that the application was made
involuntarily by the accused or he has been previously convicted by a
Court, it shall proceed with the trial of the case.After receiving the
application, the Court shall issue notice to the Public Prosecutor or the
complainant and to the accused to appear on the date fixed for the
case.The Court shall examine the accused in camera, where the other
party in the case shall not be present, to satisfy itself that the accused has
filed the application voluntarily
• Where the Court is satisfied that the application has been filed by the
accused voluntarily, it shall provide time to the Public Prosecutor or the
complainant and the accused to work out a mutually satisfactory
disposition of the case which may include compensation and other
expenses to be given to the victim.Throughout the process of working out
a satisfactory disposition of the case, it shall be the duty of the Court to
ensure that it is completed voluntarily by the parties participating in the
meeting.The Court shall prepare a report of the satisfactory disposition
worked out by the parties and shall dispose of the case by awarding the
compensation to the victim in accordance with the disposition and hear
parties on quantum of punishment and releasing accused on probation of
good conduct or after admonition under section 360 or for dealing with
the accused under the provisions of the Probation of Offenders Act, 1958
(20 of 1958) or any other law for the time being in force.If the Court finds
that minimum punishment has been provided under the law for the
offence committed by the accused, it may sentence the accused to half of
such minimum punishment;
• or it may sentence the accused to one-fourth of the
punishment provided or extend able, as the case may
be, for such offence.The judgment shall be pronounced
in open Court.Period of detention undergone by the
accused has to be set off against the sentence of
imprisonment.The statements or facts stated by an
accused in an application for plea bargaining shall not
be used for any other purpose except for the purpose
of plea bargaining application.Finality of JudgmentThe
judgment delivered by the Court under section 265G
shall be final and no appeal shall lie against it except
the special leave petition under Article 136 and writ
petition under Articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution.