Case Studies On Miscarriages Of Justice

07 Nov 2025 --
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1. The Shah Bano Case – India

Facts: Shah Bano, a Muslim woman, filed a maintenance claim against her husband under Section 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code after he divorced her. Her husband argued that under Muslim Personal Law, he had no obligation to pay maintenance after the iddat period.

Issue: The case raised conflict between secular law (CrPC) and personal laws.

Miscarriage of Justice Aspect: Initially, Shah Bano was denied justice because personal law practices were given precedence over a woman's right to maintenance under general law. This reflects systemic bias against women in certain legal frameworks.

Outcome: The Supreme Court of India ruled in her favor, stating she was entitled to maintenance, highlighting the court’s attempt to rectify societal and legal bias.

Lesson: Miscarriages of justice can occur when social norms or personal laws override general legal protections, particularly against marginalized groups.

2. The Beatrice Cenci Case – Italy (Historical Example)

Facts: In 1599, Beatrice Cenci was executed for the murder of her abusive father. Evidence suggests she acted in self-defense and that the judicial process was heavily biased due to her family’s aristocratic enemies.

Issue: The trial was influenced by political pressures and social prejudice.

Miscarriage of Justice Aspect: The case illustrates how abuse of power and political influence in judicial systems can result in wrongful convictions.

Outcome: Beatrice was executed, and the case is remembered as a classic example of injustice fueled by social and political factors.

Lesson: Miscarriages of justice can arise from social hierarchy, political influence, or corruption.

3. The Wrongful Conviction of George Stinney Jr. – USA

Facts: In 1944, George Stinney Jr., a 14-year-old African-American boy, was executed in South Carolina for the murder of two white girls. The trial lasted only a few hours, with no proper defense, and the jury was all white.

Issue: Lack of fair trial, racial prejudice, and denial of proper legal representation.

Miscarriage of Justice Aspect: This is a clear case of racial discrimination and judicial failure. A child was executed without sufficient evidence or due process.

Outcome: In 2014, 70 years later, a court vacated his conviction, recognizing the injustice.

Lesson: Judicial bias, systemic racism, and procedural failures can lead to extreme miscarriages of justice.

4. The Birmingham Six – UK

Facts: In 1975, six Irish men were wrongfully convicted for carrying out IRA bombings that killed 21 people. Their convictions were based on coerced confessions and questionable forensic evidence.

Issue: Forced confessions, flawed forensic science, and police misconduct.

Miscarriage of Justice Aspect: The case shows how unreliable confessions under duress and institutional bias can lead to wrongful imprisonment.

Outcome: After 16 years in prison, their convictions were overturned in 1991, and they were released.

Lesson: Police misconduct and reliance on coerced confessions are major contributors to wrongful convictions.

5. The Devika Rani Case (India – Wrongful Conviction due to Misidentification)

Facts: Devika Rani was accused of poisoning her husband to claim insurance. Eyewitnesses misidentified her and the case relied heavily on circumstantial evidence.

Issue: Reliance on faulty eyewitness testimony.

Miscarriage of Justice Aspect: Misidentification and weak circumstantial evidence nearly led to a miscarriage of justice.

Outcome: She was eventually acquitted after careful scrutiny of evidence revealed inconsistencies.

Lesson: Eyewitness errors and reliance on circumstantial evidence can lead to wrongful accusations.

6. The Aarushi Talwar Case – India

Facts: In 2008, 14-year-old Aarushi Talwar was found murdered at her home, and initially, domestic staff were accused. Later, the focus shifted to her parents, Hemraj, the domestic helper, and others, with conflicting forensic reports and media pressure affecting investigations.

Issue: Mishandling of forensic evidence, media sensationalism, and investigative bias.

Miscarriage of Justice Aspect: This case illustrates how public pressure, poor police investigation, and conflicting evidence can cloud justice.

Outcome: The parents were convicted, but the case remains controversial, with debates about investigative lapses and potential wrongful conviction.

Lesson: Poor forensic handling and external pressures can compromise justice.