In Brief
The Supreme Court of India issued comprehensive guidelines to standardise criminal trial procedures and eliminate deficiencies in recording evidence, marking exhibits, and preparing judgments across all High Courts and subordinate courts. The Court mandated preliminary case management hearings after charge framing to schedule witnesses systematically, modified the practice of deciding evidentiary objections, and established uniform numbering systems for witnesses (PW-1, DW-1) and exhibits. The Court also issued the Draft Rules of Criminal Practice, 2021, requiring judges to record depositions in typed format with translations, supply accused with both relied-upon and non-relied-upon investigative materials, and adopt standardised judgment formats. All High Courts and State Governments were directed to implement these rules within six months to enhance trial efficiency and appellate review."
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