Karnataka High Court: Plea Bargaining Benefit to Some Accused Won't Prejudice Others
The Hindu · india
The Karnataka High Court has ruled that granting plea bargaining benefits to certain accused individuals in a trial does not infringe upon the defense rights of other co-accused. Justice V. Srishananda upheld a special court's decision to accept a plea bargain from four accused in a 2016 bank fraud case. The court stated that the prosecution must still independently prove the guilt of remaining accused with cogent evidence. Plea bargaining aims to reduce prosecution burden and offer leniency to those admitting guilt, distinct from becoming an approver.