Saturday, March 11 2006 15:08 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: In his first public but indirect comments on the controversial Jessica Lal case, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today(Mar 11,2006) said the manner in which some cases were being prosecuted, particularly where cases fall because witnesses turn hostile, was causing concern to the society and stressed the need to reflect whether new provisions were required in law to deliver justice.

However, while maintaining that something urgently needed to be done to revamp" the criminal justice system, Chief Justice of India Y K Sabharwal cautioned against 'knee-jerk' reactions and 'overburdening' the judicial magistracy without providing adequate manpower.

"We are living in an era of increasing public awareness and consciousness. As awareness rises, expectations rise as well. The manner in which some cases are being prosecuted, particularly where cases fall because witnesses turn hostile or change their evidence is causing concern to ever increasing sections of the society.

"There is need for all of us to reflect whether the existing procedures are adequate and foolproof; whether we are using all available provisions to prevent deviant behaviour; and whether we need new provisions in law so that the justice system is seen to deliver justice", Singh said inaugurating a day-long conference of Chief Ministers and Chief Justices of High Courts. He, however, did not specifically mention the controversial acquittals in the Jessica Lal case.