New Delhi, March 6: Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna emphasized the crucial role that criminal laws play in society and urged young lawyers to consider criminal litigation as their primary area of practice.
CJI Khanna made these remarks during the launch of Ratanlal & Dhirajlal's Law of Crimes: A Comprehensive Commentary on Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, a book edited by former CJI U U Lalit. The event was held at the Delhi High Court’s auditorium and attended by a range of legal professionals, including former CJI Lalit, Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal, and Attorney General R. Venkataramani, as well as judges from both the Supreme Court and the High Court.
Highlighting the significance of criminal law, CJI Khanna pointed out that criminal law directly affects individual liberty, social harmony, and the delicate balance between state power and personal freedom, especially when dealing with arrests and detentions. He noted that while many law students shy away from criminal practice, the majority of litigation in district courts is rooted in criminal law.
"I hope and trust that more young lawyers will choose criminal law as their first choice, rather than as a last resort or a mere obligation," CJI Khanna said, stressing the need to recognize the importance of criminal law in legal practice.
CJI Khanna also discussed how the legal system has shifted toward an evidence-based approach in criminal law, asserting that the future of criminal jurisprudence will be shaped by data and analytical tools rather than untested assumptions about behavior and social dynamics. "Data exists, and it speaks. We need to let evidence drive the future of criminal law," he stated.
Former CJI U U Lalit shared insights into the book’s editorial process, noting the extensive levels of screening it underwent before final approval. He described the project as deeply meaningful to him, though he acknowledged it might not be his final effort on the subject.
Delhi High Court Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya reflected on the timing of the enactment of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), stating that it couldn't have come at a more critical juncture. He stressed that the criminal justice system must evolve to be more accessible, efficient, and responsive to the needs of an ever-changing society. "Our system needed simplification and modernization to better address the realities faced by our citizens, especially the vulnerable," he added.
