Justice for the Forgotten: Supreme Court Judge Vikram Nath Calls for Urgent Prison and Legal Reforms
In a striking revelation that exposes a deep wound in India’s justice system, Supreme Court Justice Vikram Nath recently disclosed that nearly 70% of India’s prisoners are undertrials — people who have not yet been convicted of any crime. The statement, made during a judicial conference on prison reforms and access to justice, has sparked fresh debate about fairness, legal aid, and the pace of justice in the world’s largest democracy.
Justice Nath’s words were not just a reminder of the grim statistics, but a call to action. He emphasized that the justice system must look beyond procedures and paperwork to uphold the fundamental rights of the poor, voiceless, and marginalized. “Justice delayed is justice denied,” he warned, stressing that the current state of undertrial detention amounts to systemic injustice.
He pointed out how many undertrials remain in jails for years — often for offences that carry lesser sentences than the time they have already spent waiting for trial. “For many, prison becomes punishment without conviction,” he said, urging urgent reforms in legal aid, bail procedures, and judicial training.
Justice Nath also drew attention to the crucial role of law schools in shaping a more compassionate justice system. He suggested that legal education must focus not just on theory and corporate law, but also on grassroots realities — including legal aid, prison visits, and human rights. “Our future lawyers must understand the human cost of delay and denial,” he added.
His remarks resonate deeply in a country where overcrowded prisons, slow trials, and lack of access to counsel continue to plague the legal landscape. According to the National Crime Records Bureau, India’s prisons are operating at over 130% capacity, with undertrials forming the overwhelming majority.
Justice Nath’s appeal underscores the urgent need for a threefold reform:
Expanding legal aid to ensure that every accused person, no matter how poor, has access to proper representation.
Overhauling undertrial detention with faster bail hearings, alternative sentencing, and regular judicial reviews.
Reforming law school training to nurture empathy, ethics, and a commitment to justice beyond the courtroom.
His message was clear — justice is not just a verdict; it is a right that must reach every citizen, regardless of their means.
As the nation reflects on his words, Justice Vikram Nath’s call serves as both a warning and a hope — a reminder that the true measure of justice lies not in how we punish the guilty, but in how we protect the innocent who wait too long for their day in court.
Justice for the Forgotten: Supreme Court Judge Vikram Nath Calls for Urgent Prison and Legal Reforms
