Rhea Chakraborty recently opened up about 80% of women in prison are innocent and the Justice system is too slow.
NEW DELHI: Rhea Chakraborty, along with her brother Showik Chakraborty, has been officially cleared by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the Sushant Singh Rajput death case. However, in 2020, the siblings were arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in connection with a drug-related case linked to Sushant’s demise. Reflecting on her 27-day incarceration, Rhea shared her experiences in a conversation with Humans of Bombay, shedding light on the conditions within the prison system and the slow pace of justice.
Life Behind Bars
Rhea described jail as an entirely different world, stripped of societal structures and status. She noted that
“prisoners were reduced to mere numbers, particularly in undertrial prisons”
According to her observations,
“approximately 70-80% of women in prison were innocent, while the remaining 20% admitted to their actions, often justifying them as acts of self-defense or due to unavoidable circumstances”
Delays in the Justice System
One of the key issues Rhea highlighted was the slow pace of the judicial system, which results in many undertrial prisoners spending more time in jail than they would if convicted. She recounted cases of inmates who had been incarcerated for seven to ten years without a verdict. With no access to phones or external communication, many had lost the support of their families, and some had even lost loved ones while still awaiting trial.
“It’s a strange world in there,”
Rhea shared.
“The environment is raw, focused purely on survival. Each day feels like a year because you’re doing nothing. My first few days were the hardest—I was in shock, unable to process what was happening. No one ever believes they’re going to jail… There’s deep depression, darkness, and an overwhelming sense of helplessness.”
Case Investigation and Clearance
Following an extensive investigation, Rhea and her family were cleared of all allegations. Authorities concluded that Sushant Singh Rajput’s tragic passing at his Mumbai apartment in 2020 was a case of suicide, with no evidence of foul play.
Pending Cases and Undertrial Prisoners in India
According to recent reports, India’s judicial system is burdened with a high number of pending cases. As per the National Judicial Data Grid, over 4.5 crore cases are pending across various courts in India, with more than 70% of undertrial prisoners still awaiting judgment. The delay in proceedings often results in prolonged incarceration, disproportionately affecting marginalized individuals who lack legal support.
Reasons for Pending Cases
Several factors contribute to the backlog of cases in India:
- Shortage of Judges – India has a low judge-to-population ratio, with many courts operating with vacancies. This slows down case resolution significantly.
- Procedural Delays – Lengthy legal procedures, multiple adjournments, and the absence of a strict timeline for case disposal add to the delay.
- High Litigation Rate – India witnesses a high number of new cases filed each year, further burdening an already overwhelmed judiciary.
- Inefficient Case Management – Many courts lack modern case management systems, leading to inefficiencies and slow case progression.
- Inadequate Legal Aid – Undertrial prisoners, especially those from marginalized backgrounds, struggle to access competent legal representation, resulting in prolonged detention.
- Delays in Investigation and Charge Sheets – Law enforcement agencies often take excessive time in completing investigations and filing charge sheets, causing judicial delays.
- Appeals and Review Petitions – The right to appeal is essential, but frequent and frivolous appeals slow down the final disposal of cases.
Possible Solutions to Reduce Pending Cases
Addressing judicial delays requires systemic reforms, including:
- Increasing the Number of Judges – Filling vacancies and appointing more judges to improve the judge-to-population ratio.
- Fast-Track Courts – Expanding fast-track courts, especially for undertrial prisoners and serious offenses, to expedite justice.
- Digitization and Technology Integration – Implementing AI-driven case management and digitized court records to streamline processes.
- Strict Timelines for Case Disposal – Courts should adhere to a fixed timeline for hearings and judgments.
- Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) – Encouraging mediation and arbitration to resolve disputes outside the traditional court system.
- Legal Aid for Undertrial Prisoners – Strengthening legal aid services to ensure every prisoner has fair representation.
- Police and Judicial Coordination – Improving efficiency in investigations and ensuring timely filing of charge sheets.
India’s justice system, though robust, requires urgent reform to address the massive backlog of cases. Rhea Chakraborty’s experience highlights the plight of undertrial prisoners, emphasizing the need for swifter and more equitable legal processes.
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