1. Your academic journey has been extensive and diverse. What inspired you to pursue a career in law and Criminology?
My academic journey in the field of Law, to some extent, is influenced by observing my elder brother who along with his pursuit of MA in English, took admission in three-year LLB. In fact, my choice of taking career in Criminology and Criminal Justice was my natural tendency to go through an untrodden path. Myself and my elder brother Shri Shyamal Kanti Chakrabarti, who joined West Bengal Judicial Service (ultimately promoted as Judge in the Calcutta High Court) decided for the first time to take specialisation in Tort and Crime in our LLM course. At that time, the LLM course was permitted by the University of Calcutta as external Candidate. In this, Group 1 of the papers was Criminology — and that gave me an opportunity to love the subject Criminology. During this period, I met Professor Dr N.L. Mitra, the then Reader and Head of the Department of Law, Burdwan University. He was, at that time, teaching Criminology to Bachelor of Legislative Law (LLB) students. Immediately after passing Master of Laws (LLM) with specialisation in Tort and Crime, I joined West Bengal as Lecturer and on one occasion, met Justice Mukul Gopal Mukherjee of the Calcutta High Court. He was the former Vice President of Indian Society of Criminology (ISC). He introduced me as Member of the ISC. That is the beginning of my journey in the world of Criminology and the academicians who are actively working in the field of Criminology.
2. Could you share some insights from your research on the probation system in West Bengal and its impact on the administration of criminal justice?
My research on Probation System in the administration of Criminal Justice in West Bengal had re-established the philosophy of Indian people “Satchidanand”, as said by the great philosopher, Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. Man always desires to go from dark to light. I have termed this as “self-correction” process, which is my first SCOPUS international publication in 1992 in the International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology from New York. In fact, the Thesis I published in the Book titled Probation System, like many other researchers in our universities, has not been paid due attention of the respective authorities. This has resulted in a distinct decline of number of released probationers in the State of West Bengal despite my revelation that the declining trend is due to misdirection through a Circular issued by the then Bureau of Correctional Administration of Government of India to all States regarding workload of a Probation Officer.
3. As a prolific writer with numerous publications, which of your works do you consider the most impactful, and why?
Among more than 100 articles published by me, it is difficult to select a few which are most impactful. However, to select few, I would refer the one on “self-correction” of the Probationers in West Bengal as mentioned in the earlier question raising the question “Is rehabilitation essential in probation service in West Bengal?”, bringing psychological theory in criminological study. The article published in International Journal of Legislative Drafting and Law Reform, London (Vol. I, Issue 2, February 2013, pp. 207-218) “Legislative Drafting and Law Reform: The Role of Indian Judiciary”, had been asked by the Parliament of New Zealand from the publisher of the journal to know more about my identification of the “doctrine of living tree” in our Constitution. Similarly, the article published in International Journal of Recent Scientific Research (August 2019, ISSN 0976-3031. Vol. 10 n8D, pp. 34231-34234) on “Post Litigation Impediments of Indigenous People: An Exploration in West Bengal, India”, highlighted the sufferings and discriminations against the tribal women. My article published in the All-India Reporter (April 1996, Journal Section, pp. 71-76) titled — “Right to Livelihood and Environmental Protection”, questioned the justifications for punishment of inhabitants of tribal people for violation of some provisions of environmental laws. I think that the article, along with other publications, definitely had an impact in passing of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006. Journal of Indian Law Institute (September-December 1996, Vol. 38, No. 4, pp. 524-534) published my paper — “Judicial Decision Affecting Probation”, which raised the debate on the interpretation of provision of the Probation of Offenders Act, 1958 on Section 12 of the Act. My publication in the International Journal of Innovative Technology and Exploring Engineering (IJITEE), ISSN: 2278-3075 (Online, Volume 9 Issue 8, June 2020, pp. 673-676) titled “Civil Liability to Nanotechnology Products: An Appraisal with Special Reference to Strict Liability” draws attention of legislatures about the inadequacy of statutory Tort Law.
4. How has your experience as the Vice-Chancellor of National University of Juridical Sciences (NUJS) influenced your perspective on legal education in India?
After joining in NUJS in July 2019, I realised that legal education in India has been flowing in two/three distinct colour and content. First one is in the districts in various parts of India, where the student’s got admission and passed LLB/Bachelor of Arts (BA) LLB course in most of the private law colleges. The second type of students are admitted in traditional Universities’ Department or Government colleges. The teaching and learning at National Law Universities is far better, regular, intensive, and ready to accept contemporary legal issues and challenges. Students are very research oriented. Their knowledge and analytical power are praiseworthy.
5. You have guided many Doctors of Philosophy (PhD) scholars in the field of Criminal Law and Criminal Justice. What advice would you give to aspiring researchers in these fields?
My advice to new researchers and PhD scholars in the field of criminal law and criminal justice is to accept research in the procedural aspects of criminal justice administration through empirical method. The need of research in Criminal Law and Criminal Justice is to reveal the aberrations in the application and administration of procedural law, so the criminal justice policymakers know the state of affairs of criminal justice system.
6. Your contributions to victimology have been recognised with prestigious awards. What do you see as the most pressing issues in victimology today?
The most pressing issue in victimology today is to integrate victims as a party to criminal prosecution and trial process. The Government should allot adequate funds to pay compensation to victims, instead of paying it in instalments. Mental and medical support should also be provided to victims of crime. Disparity in victim compensation schemes of various States should be addressed by the Central Government. The crime in India should include information and data on victims. More women personnel should be recruited in the law enforcement agencies of the Government.
7. Can you discuss the significance of your collaborative projects with international organisations like the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Ford Foundation?
When Professor Menon was the Vice-Chancellor of the West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (WBNUJS), he had asked me to do research under Ford Foundation on correctional administration in West Bengal focusing on juvenile justice, probation and prison administration. This was part of the broader aspect of research on Administration of Criminal Justice in West Bengal. I had submitted it to Prof. Menon, and it was included when published in Book form. This research report helped the State Government in reformulating the correctional administration. On the other hand, the UNDP sponsored and National Judicial Academy (NJA) Bhopal supported research on Access to Justice to Disadvantage Persons such as, women, children, tribals, disabled and elderly persons. This research focused on many gaps and scope of escape of guilty persons from the criminal justice system, which ultimately reflected partly in the new criminal laws introduced in 2023. At present, NUJS has conducted more than 20 collaborative projects with other reputed Institute and Universities like Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur, Gujarat National Law University (GNLU), Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU) Mumbai, Jadavpur University, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology (MAKAUT), Leister University, United Kingdom (UK) and others.
8. What are the key challenges you have faced in your role as an academic leader, and how have you addressed them?
The most important challenges I faced during my career as academic leader are — students’ unfair means in examinations, faculties taking regular and quality lectures and handling of student’s wing. While addressing those challenges, my self-confidence and honesty gave me strength to overcome those challenges. I have tried to introduce more skill learning elements in the LLB curriculum by inviting our alumni, who are working in top law firms. To facilitate more job opportunities, we have organised workshops, especially for the 4th year students. To make our university as multi-disciplinary, we have introduced Master of Science (MSc) in Forensic Science, Bachelor of Science (BSc) LLB in Criminology and Forensic Science, and LLM in Data Science and Data Protection Law.
9. In your opinion, how can the legal system in India be improved to better address issues of gender justice and crimes against women?
To address the problem of gender discriminations and the rising trends of crimes against women in India, first we must improve our social structure by proper education from school level. There are some false legitimisations in our legal practice ignoring gender equality. This requires more affirmative legislative actions.
10. Having participated in numerous international conferences and collaborative research projects, how have these experiences — ranging from presenting your work and gaining diverse perspectives to overcoming challenges with international organisations — shaped your academic journey and research outlook?
By participating in national and international conferences, and collaborative research, I have not only changed some of my concepts learned during student life but also some prevalent ideas. By getting particularly empirically verified facts and information, I also suggested some reforms of law, some of which are realised and adopted in due course.
11. How do you balance your administrative responsibilities as Vice-Chancellor with your research and teaching commitments?
Along with my administrative responsibilities throughout my career, I have been guiding PhD scholars for more than 30 years as Research Guide and have produced 27 successful PhD scholars. While guiding PhD scholars, I was also acquainted with the present reality of law at operational level.
12. Looking ahead, what are your future research interests and projects that you are excited about?
My future research interest is interface between law and technology, and policy research, which present Indian society needs to make our legal system to truly do justice to “we the people of India”.