Criminal Courts
Criminal courts deal with cases related to murder, robbery, theft, assault, etc. The criminal courts can be classified into the following categories:
Sessions Court:
It is the highest criminal court and is presided by the District Judge. The court deals with serious offenses.
Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate:
It deals with less serious offenses and cannot award the life or death sentence.
Court of First Class Magistrate:
It deals with less serious cases and can award up to three years of sentence or fine up to Rs 5000.
Court of Second Class Magistrate:
These courts can sentence a person to imprisonment for up to two years or can levy fines up to Rs 1000.
Court of Third Class Magistrate:
These courts deal with quarrels or rioting. These courts can sentence a person to imprisonment for up to one month or can levy fines up to Rs 50. India has a single integrated judicial system which means that appeals from the lower courts can be made to the higher courts.
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The High Courts and Subordinate Courts
The Constitution of India has provided for a High Court for each state. However, there may be one High Court for two states or union territories. This depends on the area and the population of the state or union territory. There are 21 High Courts in India. Delhi is the only union territory that has a High Court of its own. Read more
The Supreme Court
The Supreme Court is the head of the Indian judiciary and supervises the functions of the lower courts. A single civil and criminal system of laws operates all over the country. By the way of appeal, cases from the High Court may be taken to the Supreme Court. Read more
The Union Legislature
The Union Parliament consists of the President and two houses—The House of People commonly known as the Lok Sabha and the Council of States known as the Rajya Sabha. The Parliament is a body of people’s representatives who have the supreme power and authority of governance in a democratic country. Read more