The trial of Shanti was a fair one because:
(i) It took place in an open court and in the presence of the accused.
(ii) Alawyer defended Shanti, who also cross-examined the witnesses.
(iii) Shanti's lawyer was given an opportunity to produce her witnesses and evidences.

The body of law that defines criminal offenses, regulates the apprehension, charging, and trial of suspected persons, and fixes penalties and modes of treatment applicable to convicted offenders. It usually begins with the lodging of a First Information Report (FIR) with the police who investigates the crime, after which a case is filed in the court. If found guilty, the accused can be sent to jail and may also be fined. The crimes that fall under this law are:- murder, assault, dowry, etc.

Shanti would have been considered guilty even before the beginning of the trial. The trial would have been biased against her and even tually she would have been pronounced guilty. She would not have got justice.

Basis of evidence means the information provided by witnesses and other objects, which is used to arrive at a decision or judgement.

(i) A fair trial is a trial which is held in an open court, in public view.
(ii) Any relative can attend the court. The trial is held in the presence of the accused.
(iii) The accused is defended by a lawyer. The advocate of the accused is given an opportunity to present witnesses in the accused defence.
(iv) Although the police files the case, the judge should assume the 'accused to be innocent.
(v) The judge should decide the matter only on the basis of evidence before the court.
(vi) The judge should be impartial. Thev all should ensure that all the citizens Irrespective of their class, caste, gender, reugious and ideological background get a fair trial when being accused.

Yes, Shanti did get a fair trial. Firstly, Shanti has given a copy of the charge sheet and all other evidence that the prosecution presented against her. Shanti was charged with the offence of theft that was defined as a crime in the law. The trial was held in an open court in public view. Her brother could attend the court hearings.
Shanti's lawyer was given an opportunity to cross-examine all the prosecution witnesses.
Although the police filed a case of theft against Shanti, the judge assumed her to be innocent. The judge decided the matter only on the basis of the evidence before the court. The evidence showed that some young men and not Shanti was the thief. In Shanti's case, justice was finally done to her because she was given a fair trial.

Non-cognizable offences are those cases which are relatively less serious in nature as compared to cognizable offences. Examples of non-cognizable offences include public nuisance, assault, mischief, etc. The Police cannot register criminal cases and cannot arrest any person with regard to non-cognizable offences.