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On World Social Justice Day, Jindal Global Law School (JGSL) at O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) announced the establishment of the K.K. Luthra & Nirmal Luthra Centre for Comparative Criminal Law and Criminal Justice Studies. This momentous occasion served not only as a celebration of social justice but also as a tribute to the centennial birth anniversary of Mr. K.K. Luthra, a distinguished criminal law stalwart and Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court of India, and to the legacy of his wife, Nirmal Luthra. The centre's creation signifies a significant contribution to the field of legal scholarship and reform, promising to be a global hub for research, dialogue, and advocacy in criminal law and criminal justice. The establishment of this Centre is particularly noteworthy due to its fully endowed nature, thanks to a generous philanthropic initiative by Mr. Siddharth Luthra, a distinguished lawyer and jurist, and his sisters, Ms. Geeta Luthra (Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India) and Dr. Meera Luthra (Senior Consultant in Paediatric Surgery). This endowment guarantees the sustainability of the Centre's operations indefinitely, ensuring its continued contribution to the field.
The Centre's ambitious goals encompass becoming a leading global institution in comparative criminal law and criminal justice. Its multifaceted approach will involve promoting equitable and efficient legal systems worldwide, and advancing comparative legal scholarship, policy innovation, and practical reforms in criminal law and justice through a robust combination of research, education, capacity-building, and public engagement. The scope of the Centre's activities is impressive, with plans to conduct international conferences, develop policy recommendations, enable comparative research studies, conduct capacity-building workshops for legal professionals, establish postgraduate and doctoral research fellowships, and create a comprehensive digital repository of knowledge. Furthermore, the Centre aims to enhance public understanding of criminal justice issues through public engagement and awareness programs, and organize judicial dialogues, roundtables, and internship/training programs for students. The establishment of annual K.K. Luthra & Nirmal Luthra Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals for Academic Excellence at Jindal Global Law further solidifies the Centre’s commitment to nurturing future generations of legal professionals.
The launch event was graced by numerous prominent legal figures, including the Union Law Minister, Arun Ram Meghwal, who emphasized the critical role of social justice in maintaining societal peace and harmony. He highlighted India's historical commitment to social justice championed by leaders like Mahatma Phule and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, emphasizing that while political equality is attainable, achieving social and economic equality requires dedicated philanthropic efforts. The Attorney General for India, R. Venkataramani, further underscored the importance of embedding the concept of social justice in legal education, emphasizing that law students are essentially the architects of social justice, ensuring the rule of law for all. Justice Sanjay Karol, Judge, Supreme Court of India, highlighted the crucial role of research and comparative criminal law in promoting social justice, emphasizing its potential to identify best practices across different legal systems and foster equality, fairness, and access to justice for marginalized communities. Other notable speakers at the seminar included Justice Arjan K. Sikri (Judge, Singapore International Commercial Court), Justice Michael Wilson (Former Judge, Supreme Court of Hawaii, USA), and Mr. Salman Khurshid (Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India), adding diverse perspectives and international insights to the discussion.
The establishment of the K.K. Luthra & Nirmal Luthra Centre has received widespread international acclaim. Professor (Dr.) Nicola Padfield, Emeritus Professor of Criminal & Penal Justice at the University of Cambridge, lauded the Centre's establishment, emphasizing the immense potential for learning in the field of comparative criminal law and criminal justice. Professor (Dr.) Julian Roberts, Emeritus Professor of Criminology at the University of Oxford, similarly praised the Centre as a timely and important development in criminal justice scholarship, highlighting its potential to become a vital hub for comparative research benefiting numerous jurisdictions. The Founding Vice Chancellor of O.P. Jindal Global University and Dean of Jindal Global Law School expressed immense delight at the Centre's establishment, emphasizing its potential to foster high-quality research, academic dialogue, and law reform initiatives, and to cultivate a new generation of scholars and legal professionals. The Centre’s commitment to upholding the values of integrity, fairness, and justice, embodied in the legacy of K.K. Luthra and Nirmal Luthra, is expected to shape future generations of legal professionals and contribute significantly to the advancement of criminal justice globally.
In conclusion, the launch of the K.K. Luthra & Nirmal Luthra Centre for Comparative Criminal Law and Criminal Justice Studies at Jindal Global Law School marks a significant milestone in the field of legal education and research. The Centre’s dedication to fostering research, dialogue, and reform, combined with its comprehensive approach to education and public engagement, positions it to play a critical role in advancing criminal justice worldwide. The generous endowment ensures its long-term sustainability, guaranteeing its continued impact on the development of fair, equitable, and effective legal systems globally. The Centre's success will be built upon the strong foundation of its dedicated leadership, the commitment of its faculty and students, and the enduring legacy of K.K. Luthra and Nirmal Luthra. The collaboration with international experts, coupled with its focus on fostering dialogue and collaboration, will undoubtedly contribute to the Centre’s success in achieving its ambitious goals and advancing the field of comparative criminal law and criminal justice on a global scale.