Agartala: A troubling picture has surfaced from statistics presented in the Tripura assembly on rape cases, revealing that 78% of accused people are acquitted due to insufficient evidence and weak prosecution.The figures expose serious flaws in police investigations and the performance of govt legal professionals, raising red flags about the delivery of justice to victims.Over the past three years, only around 22% of rape cases have resulted in convictions. Of the 758 cases that reached verdict, just 167 ended in convictions, leaving the vast majority of accused persons free without punishment.Legal experts said police often fail to collect or present compelling evidence in court. Inadequate forensic support, poor documentation, delayed chargesheets, and mishandling of witnesses frequently cause cases to collapse during trial.Reports also suggest that many prosecutions lack the seriousness such grave offenses demand. Some govt lawyers reportedly struggle to present arguments effectively, fail to challenge defence claims, or arrive in court ill-prepared, according to Congress legislator Sudip Roy Barman.He further alleged that certain investigating officers and government lawyers, whether through carelessness, lack of coordination, or intentional compromise, inadvertently strengthen the defence, leading to acquittals.The situation is compounded by a backlog of pending cases, which prolongs trials and intensifies the difficulties victims face in their pursuit of justice, Roy Barman underlined.The low conviction rate not only highlights systemic weaknesses but also threatens to erode public trust in the criminal justice system.Roy Barman has demanded urgent reforms, including enhanced training for police personnel, improved forensic resources, stricter accountability for investigating officers, and stronger oversight of govt prosecutors.
