NCERT Book Solutions Class 8 Social and Political Life – III Chapter 6
When someone violates the law, we immediately think of informing the police. Owing to the role played by the police in arresting culprits, we often get confused and think that it is the police who decide whether a person is guilty or not. However, this is not true. After a person is arrested, it is a court of law that decides whether the accused person is guilty or not. According to the Constitution, every individual charged of a crime has to be given a fair trial. What does it mean to get a fair trial? Have you heard of an FIR? Or do you know who a public prosecutor is? Refer to Chapter 6 of CBSE Class 8 Political Science to understand these concepts. NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Civics Chapter 6 Understanding Our Criminal Justice System contains solutions to the exercises given in the Civics book – Social and Political Life. NCERT Solutions to the exercises provided by CoolGyan’S will be useful for school exams and will align school students’ preparation, as per the questions asked in the examinations.
Students can download the NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Civics PDF below.
NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Civics (Social and Political Life) Chapter 6 Understanding Our Criminal Justice System
NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Civics Chapter 6 Understanding Our Criminal Justice System
1. In a town called Peace Land, the supporters of the Fiesta football team learn that the supporters of the Jubilee football team in the nearby city about 40 km away have damaged the ground on which the Final between both teams is to be held the following day. A crowd of Fiesta fans armed with deadly weapons attacks the homes of the supporters of the Jubilee football team in the town. In the attack, 10 men are killed, 5 women are gravely hurt, many homes are destroyed and over 50 people injured.
Imagine that you and your classmates are now part of the criminal justice system. First divide the class into the following four groups of persons:
1. Police 2. Public Prosecutor 3. Defence lawyer 4. Judge
The column on the right provides a list of functions. Match these with the roles that are listed on the left. Have each group pick the functions that it needs to perform to bring justice to those who were affected by the violence of the Fiesta fans. In what order, will these functions be performed?
| Roles | Functions |
| Police | hear the witnesses record the statements of witnesses cross examine the witnesses take photographs of burnt homes record the evidence arrest the Fiesta fans writes the judgment argue the case for the victims decide the number of years for which the accused will be put in jail examine the witnesses in court pass the judgment get the assaulted women medically examined conduct a fair trial meet the accused persons |
| Public Prosecutor | |
| Defense Lawyer | |
| Judge |
Now take the same situation but ask one student who is a supporter of the Fiesta Club to perform all the functions listed above. Do you think the victims would get justice if only one person performed all of the functions of the criminal justice system? Why not?
State two reasons why you believe that different persons need to play different roles as part of the criminal justice system.
Answer
| Role | Functions |
| Police | Records the statements of witnesses Takes photographs of burnt homes Arrests the Fiesta fans Gets the assaulted women medically examined |
| Public Prosecutor | Cross examines the witnesses Argues the case for the victims |
| Defence Lawyer | Meets the accused persons Examines the witnesses in court |
| Judge | Hears the witnesses Records the evidence Writes the judgement Decides for how many years the accused will be put in jail Passes the judgement Conducts a fair trial |
The victim would not get justice if only one person performs all the functions of the criminal justice system, because he could get influenced by various prejudices. Separation of power is necessary within a judicial system too, since absolute power can lead to unfairness.
Two reasons why different people need to play different roles as part of the criminal justice system are:
- All the aspects of trial and investigation cannot be conducted by a single person, as it entails a diverse range of work including arresting, recording the statements of witnesses, defending the victim and accused parties, passing a fair trial and judicially correct judgement.
- If all the powers are vested on one person alone, it might be misused and thereby violate the laws based on just and equal decision.
A single ideology may not be the right one, as it can affect the trial and the result of the case.
Chapter 6 Understanding Our Criminal Justice System Summary
According to the Constitution, every individual charged with a crime has to be given a fair trial. This chapter gives a fictional case of theft to highlight the process and role of different individuals in the criminal justice system.
You will learn about the following:
- Article 22 of the constitution and Criminal Law, stating the fundamental rights of an arrested person.
- The Role of the Police in Investigating a Crime. The Supreme Court of India has laid down specific requirements and procedures that the police and other agencies have to follow for the arrest, detention and interrogation of any person. These are known as the D.K. Basu Guidelines.
- First Information Report. It is with the registration of an FIR that the police can begin their investigations into a crime. The law states that it is compulsory for an officer in charge of a police station to register an FIR, whenever a person gives information about a cognizable offence. This information can be given to the police either orally or in writing.
- Role of a Public Prosecutor. The role of the Prosecutor begins once the police have conducted the investigation and filed the charge sheet in the court. He/she has no role to play in the investigation.
- The Role of the Judge. The judge conducts the trial impartially and in an open court. He sends the person to jail or imposes a fine or both, depending on what the law prescribes.
- What is a Fair Trial?
‘Resources and Development’ is an important book for Class 8 Social Science subject. Apart from this chapter, the full set of NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Social Science is given in the linked article.