The Public Prosecutors are considered to be the “gate keepers” of criminal justice, in so far as without their initiative, there cannot be the prosecution of crimes. The prosecution services are, in fact, the society’s principal means of pursuing punishment of criminal behaviour and its interface with the adjudicative power. Only cases that are brought to courts by public prosecutors can be processed and adjudicated by the Judicial Officers.
According to the Ministry of Law and Justice, the government departments are a party to around “46 percent” of court cases. Often, it is the inferior quality of representation from prosecution on behalf of the government in the civil litigations that leads to delay in disposal of cases.
Being aware of such grim situation, the recommendations were made in various Reports for regular training of the Prosecution department.
Hence, the regular training are being conducted for Public Prosecutors across Punjab, Haryana and UT Chandigarh in the Chandigarh Judicial Academy:
- To strengthen the capacity of this law enforcement arm so as to improve the justice delivery system;
- To inculcate the values, outlook and skills required to undertake the rule of a Public Prosecutor including a sound appreciation of all the responsibilities that this role entails;
- To set and raise standards of professional conduct and ethics for Public Prosecutors.
Their course has been carefully designed in such a way that participating public prosecutor are facilitated with the professional development, in hands-on practical way of demonstrating the relevance of issues taught. The courses, broadly, revolves around the following topics:
- Relevancy of Constitution in District Judiciary;
- Criminal Procedural Law and its various aspects;
- Civil Procedural Law and its various aspects;
- Special laws and their various aspects;
- Sentencing Policy and Restitutive Justice;
- Examination of Witnesses – Principles and Procedures;
- Role of Forensic in the aid of justice;
- General aspects of Service Law;
- Interpretation of Revenue Records and their applicability in civil cases;
- Cordiality amongst Prosecutors, Police, Judiciary and District Administration.