The SK Malik Chair on Access to Justice was instituted through an endowment by the Vishwa Nath and Santosh Bakshi Charitable Educational Trust. The family of Late Mr. SK Malik, a legal practitioner, has instituted a chair in his name, to carry forward his legacy of providing pro bono legal aid to marginalised communities.

Mission of the S.K. Malik Chair on Access to Justice

The S.K. Malik Chair on Access to Justice is committed to advancing equitable, inclusive, and transformative approaches to law and justice. Its mission is to bridge the gap between legal systems and marginalized communities by fostering interdisciplinary research, critical scholarship, innovative pedagogy and legal intervention on issues such as legal aid, prison reform, mental health, forensics, death penalty etc.

The Chair aims to generate informed dialogue and policy impact through collaborative research, partnerships with national and international institutions, and the dissemination of knowledge in diverse formats. By designing curricula, authoring impactful publications, and organizing lectures, workshops, and public engagements, the Chair aims to cultivate a deeper understanding of the rule of law and justice, remove economic and social barriers to access, and inspire reforms within the criminal justice system.

Through its initiatives, the Chair aspires to nurture a new generation of scholars, practitioners, and policymakers who are sensitive to the values of equal justice and equal opportunity, thereby contributing meaningfully to a just and humane legal order.