The first day of the Symposium set the tone for a critical rethinking of India’s criminal justice framework through four compelling sessions:
Session 1: The Idea and Concept of Principled Criminalisation
Explored models of criminalisation, over-criminalization, re-criminalization, and de-criminalisation, and alternative frameworks like constitutionalism and authoritarianism.
Session 2: Principled Criminalisation in Substantive Law
Engaged with questions around who holds the authority to criminalise, what conduct deserves punishment, and the principles that should govern sentencing.
Session 3: Locating Principled Criminalisation in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)
Analysed the reclassification of crimes, scaling of punishments, and overemphasis on crimes against the State.
Session 4: Principled Criminalisation and Procedural Law
Debated the balance between crime control and due process values, the place of victim justice model, and the regulatory power of procedural law.
Speakers:
Hon’ble Mr. Justice Joymalya Bagchi, Hon’ble Ms. Justice Mukta Gupta, Prof. B.B. Pande, Prof. (Dr.) G.S. Bajpai, Adv. Vrinda Grover, Prof. (Dr.) Jyoti Dogra Sood, Mr. Naveed Mehmood Ahmad, Prof. (Dr.) Mrinal Satish, Prof. (Dr.) Shruti Bedi, Dr. Latika Vashist, Prof. Mehraj Uddin Mir, Prof. (Dr.) Mukul Raizada
Their insights laid a strong foundation for exploring the principles that must guide a just and fair criminal justice system in India.