India, Feb. 17 -- India's criminal justice system disproportionately disadvantages the accused, especially those who are economically or socially vulnerable, the Supreme Court has lamented while setting aside the death penalty awarded to a man convicted of murdering his wife and 12-year-old daughter.

Citing serious lapses in the conduct of his trial, a three-judge bench comprising justices Vikram Nath, Sanjay Karol and Sandeep Mehta held that the accused was denied a fair trial due to procedural deficiencies, including the absence of legal representation at crucial stages of the proceedings.

"The Indian Criminal Justice System places the accused person at a comparative disadvantage which is more so exacerbated when the person is economi...