Analytical Study of the Role of Justice of Peace in Registration of Fir in Pakistan

Abstract

No legislation is beneficial unless it is helpful for the masses in general and downtrodden people in particular. Legislators usually focus on the deprived segments of society so that weaker ones may take advantage of the said legislation. Any legislation that does not benefit the weaker sections of society is meaningless. Registration of the First information report is the right of the citizen in case of cognizable nature of the offence. Lodgement of FIR is the responsibility of the police in such a scenario. Needless to mention that ours is not a utopian state, and because of dissatisfaction of people due to incompetence and high handedness of police officials in the lodgement of FIR, Section 22-A(6) was added in Criminal Procedure Code in 2002. Justices of Peace had performed their duties u/s 22-A(6) Cr.P.C.since then. . In a country like ours, the advent of the Justice of the Peace has changed the structure of our society. Common people of the state are quite satisfied with the emergence of Justices of Peace as voiceless and marginalized sections of society have been given an opportunity against the tyranny of powerful segments of society. This paper discusses powers of Justice of Peace to give directions to police for registration of FIR in the light of decisions of superior courts of Pakistan. The impact of the said power of Justice of Peace in our criminal justice system is also observed.