Sakshi Sahni, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Patiala reflected on the fundamental requisites to effectuate alternative justice mechanism during the inaugural session of 2-day International Colloquium on Criminal Justice In Numbers at Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Punjab.
Participating in the phenomenal deliberations conducted by the Centre for Criminology, Criminal Justice & Victimology (CCV), RGNUL in association with India Justice Report, Ms. Sawhney observed, “Data related to crime enables governance to respond better.” As a policymaker, she expressed her concern regarding systemic deficiencies that obstructed deliverance of justice.
Ms. Sakshi Sawhney shared her experience about procurement of data while working on crime against women and children. She said that dearth of data, lack of competence to analyse data and minimal coordination among various units involved in dispensation of justice complicated issues and stalled the wheels of progress. “
Though data sets things into motion, it should not be taken on face. Reliable data required for deliverance of justice should be validated. It should be logically correct,” she observed. Eulogising the efforts of Government of Punjab, Ms Sawhney remarked that the government had hired qualified persons in different wings to analyse data.
Earlier, Prof. G.S. Bajpai, Vice-Chancellor, RGNUL scrutinized data utilisation system in the present times. He observed, “ In order to address inadequacies in the justice system, scientific temper must be developed.” “Criminal Justice system institutions are one of the least measured systems in the country,” he observed.
Prof. G.S. Bajpai said, “In the name of data only crime rate is available. The survey on various parameters and gathering of data related to profile of victims, evidence, offender and offence can greatly address inadequacies prevailing in the justice system.” While dwelling on planning, management, execution and implementation of data, Prof Bajpai spoke about the need to improve data literacy.
“Proactiveness to generate relevant data and competence to manage it for delivering justice to the marginalised sections could spearhead a change in the criminal justice system,” he said.Ms. Maja Daruwala, Chief Editor, India Justice Report, mapped the details of parameters adopted to assess States for their efficiency in providing justice to the citizens in her address.
Prof Anand Pawar, Registrar, RGNUL extended a vote of thanks. Participants from India and abroad attended the inaugural session.During the two day colloquium various technical sessions will witness presentations by eminent speakers, Mr. Sanjay Vashishtha, Member, Indian Police Foundation; Dr. Sunil Chauhan, Former Director National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) and Session Judge, Haryana; Ms.Apoorva, Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy; Shri N Ramachandran IPS (Retd.) Founder & President Indian Police Foundation; Ms. Neha Sinha, Deputy Director & Associate Fellow Artha Global; Ms. Maitreyi Mishra, Head Mental Health & Criminal Justice Project 39A; Ms. Radhika Jha, Lead Researcher, Common Cause; Samita Research Associate, Daksh. Representatives from Vidhi, NALSA, DAKSH will also be participating in the discussion.