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Chandigarh is planning to create its own Directorate of Prosecution to improve coordination between the police and legal authorities. This move aims to make handling serious cases more efficient. The proposal, submitted by the Chandigarh home department to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), is currently awaiting approval. The new directorate will include a Director of Prosecution, several Deputy Directors, and Assistant Directors. Each police station will also have its own legal representative to help prepare chargesheets on time.

Benefits and current challenges

Manu Kakkar, a district attorney in Chandigarh, mentioned that this initiative will significantly help the police in framing chargesheets with the right legal sections and evidence, making the cases more solid. He added that the new system will ensure that all legal aspects are carefully considered during the preparation of chargesheets, making them more effective in court.

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Currently, there are challenges in the system. Recently, two police officers in Chandigarh faced disciplinary action because they failed to file a chargesheet on time under the NDPS Act, leading to a bail grant. This new directorate is expected to prevent such issues by providing better legal guidance.

Mandated responsibilities

The new criminal laws require the Director of Prosecution to oversee cases involving severe crimes, such as those punishable by 10 years or more in prison, life imprisonment, or the death penalty. The Director will be responsible for speeding up legal processes and advising on appeals. Deputy Directors will manage cases with penalties ranging from seven to ten years, while Assistant Directors will handle cases with penalties of up to seven years.

Candidates for the Director position must have at least 15 years of experience as an advocate or as a sessions judge. Assistant Directors will need at least seven years of experience as an advocate or have served as a magistrate.

Currently, Chandigarh’s legal matters are managed by the law department, which includes district attorneys who help the police gather evidence and ensure legal procedures are followed to build stronger cases.