India explores new framework for plea bargaining, legal health index at justice seminar

At a landmark seminar on “Delivering Justice in Time: Global Practices and Indian Experiences,” Mr. R. Venkataramani, Attorney General for India, called for a modernized framework for plea bargaining, integrating social, cultural, and economic perspectives. The seminar was jointly organised by O.P. Jindal Global University and National Law University Delhi.

“Plea bargaining is becoming universal. There’s a new need for a national protocol for plea bargaining… so that it can work in a more transparent and objective way,” said Mr. Venkataramani. He emphasized that the legal and civil authorities must be ready to support the initiative and suggested creating a National Institute for Criminal Justice Administration to monitor performance and resource management.

The AG also proposed a Legal Health Index to evaluate preventive procedures, ease of justice, and resource investment. “It’s important for law schools and universities to play a role in conceiving and maintaining the Legal Health Index. The community’s intellectual engagement will provide a fresh perspective,” he added.

In his keynote address, Dr. Abhishek M. Singhvi, Senior Advocate and Member of Parliament, highlighted India’s massive case backlog, noting the need to address access, backlog, cost, and delay issues through judicial appointments, multi-track case management, strengthened mediation, and revival of Gram Nyayalayas. He called for a holistic, preventive, and innovative approach to the justice system, including better coordination among courts, police, and prisons.

Prof. (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar, Founding Vice Chancellor of Jindal Global University, outlined five pillars to reform justice delivery : enhancing judicial capacity , procedural reforms , technological integration, plea bargaining expansion, and data-driven governance. He lauded collaboration between law schools and planned a nationwide series of seminars to build awareness and momentum for reform.

Prof. (Dr.) G.S. Bajpai, Vice Chancellor, National Law University Delhi, emphasized that speed alone does not guarantee justice, advocating fairness, transparency, procedural integrity, and a national sentencing policy. The day-long seminar featured discussions with senior advocates, academics, and legal tech experts, addressing institutional reforms, technology in courts, and plea bargaining mechanisms.