Chapter 36: Vijayanagara New Judicial Act
Vijay aimed to reform the judicial system in the Vijayanagar Empire due to the corrupt Nobility and the zamindar classes who primarily determined the right and wrong of the common folk. Typically, when a complaint was brought before the panchayat, the nobility would favour the party that had provided them with a sum of money or belonged to their interest group.
Vijay was very stressed and had a headache multiple times to perfect The plan. He and Bhuvan both dedicated Long hours days to polishing the new judicial act and making it viable. Vijay hesitated regarding which country's judicial system to adopt for the Vijayanagar Empire. He had several options, including the American, German, British, and other developed countries in the future. However, he needed to find a judicial system that suited the Empire.
He didn't want to replicate the same method India used in the 21st century in his previous life, as the Indian judicial system was a considerable failure, to say the least. Resolving a civil dispute in India took several years due to the scarcity of lawyers. This also inflated the cost of civil disputes in any form of court, making it a luxury service. Lower-class families had no means to resolve their disputes in court.
Consequently, disputes in Indian villages and towns were typically settled through discussions among relatives or in Panchayat, this practice can be seen even in 21st-century India.
After consulting with Bhuvan, Vijay finally chose the American judicial system, which he found more suitable for India.
Additionally, after discussing with Bhuvan, Vijay considered the notion of incorporating laws from the future. However, he ultimately dismissed it as an immature idea. The laws of the 21st century were tailored to address the specific issues of that era. Given that the Vijayanagar Empire is still in the 17th century, he decided to establish a solid foundation for laws to be added later on or to be removed as needed. It's surprising how long outdated laws can persist due to the complexities of their removal.
At present, Vijay's objective is not to perfect the system, but rather to establish a framework that can introduce the people of the empire to the concept of Law and Order.
Verma, the head of the Bengaluru police department, attended the panchayat to deliver the royal edict. He had not yet read the contents of the royal edict, as he was instructed to refrain from opening the package until within the panchayat premises. During the panchayat session, Verma unsealed the royal edict and proclaimed the news to the gathered audience.
Vijayanagara New judicial act
The new judicial act for the Vijayanagar Empire includes the following stipulations:
- Circuit courts will be established throughout the kingdom in major cities and towns of the Vijayanagara Empire to hear the pleas of all the common folk in the nation.
- Each court will have an appointed judge to oversee its proceedings, directly appointed by the Department of Justice.
- Every accused person will be presumed innocent until proven guilty.
- Defendants will be provided with an advocate free of charge from the Empire to present their case.
- Individuals who believe they are wrongly accused can provide substantial evidence to prove their innocence. If not successful, the defendant can contest the judgment three more times.
- Court proceedings will be open to the public, allowing both the appointed judge and the audience to determine if the judgment has been made for a just cause.
- The police department will collaborate fully with the judicial department to effect arrests and enforce the law.
- The Vijayanagara Empire holds the sole right to formulate the constitution, encompassing laws and regulations applicable to all citizens, including nobles, zamindars, and even the king, which will be written into the Constitution of the Vijayanagara Empire.
- The emperor of the Vijayanagara Empire will be recognized as the first citizen of the country.
- Lawyers are permitted to own their own private firms as long as they can demonstrate their qualifications through a Unified Exam.
- Nobles and zamindars will no longer hold the privilege of adjudicating civil or violent disputes within their areas.
- Disputes of any nature must be resolved through the official organization, and panchayat meetings will no longer bear responsibility for judging civil matters.
---------------------------Constitution of Vijayanagara--------------------------
"We, the people of Vijayanagara, having solemnly resolved to constitute Vijayanagara into a Monarchy and to secure to all its citizens:
Justice, social, economic, and political;
Liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith, and worship;
Equality of status and opportunity;
and to promote among them all
Fraternity assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Empire;
In our constituent assembly this twenty-sixth day of November 1651, do hereby adopt, enact, and give to ourselves this Constitution."
**Fundamental Rights:**
**Right to Equality (Articles 1-4):**
Article 1: Ensures equality before the law and equal protection of the law.
Article 2: Prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth.
Article 3: Guarantees equality of opportunity in matters of public employment.
Article 4: Abolishes "untouchability."
**Right to Freedom (Articles 5-7):**
Article 5: Protects certain rights regarding freedom of speech, expression, assembly, association, movement, and residence.
Article 6: Provides protection in respect of conviction for offences.
Article 7: Ensures protection of life and personal liberty.
**Right against Exploitation (Articles 8-9):**
Article 8: Prohibits trafficking in human beings, forced labour, and beggary.
Article 9: Forbids the employment of children in farms and similar activities.
**Cultural and Educational Rights (Articles 10-11):**
Article 10: Safeguards the interests of minors.
Article 11: Grants citizens the right to establish and administer educational institutions.
**Right to Constitutional Remedies (Article 12):**
Article 12: Confers the right to move the Supreme Court for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights.
These fundamental principles and rights form the cornerstone of the Constitution of Vijayanagara, ensuring justice, equality, freedom, and the dignity of every citizen within the monarchy.
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