The Himachal Pradesh National Law University (HPNLU), Shimla, under the aegis of Prof. (Dr.) Priti Saxena, Vice Chancellor, HPNLU, successfully organized the 3rd V. R. Krishna Iyer Annual Law Lecture on November 9, 2024, at its campus in Shimla.
The memorial lecture, titled "The Humane Side of Justice", was delivered by the Hon'ble Mr. Justice Deepak Gupta, former Judge of the Supreme Court of India and the event was presided over by Hon'ble Mr. Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan, Acting Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court.
The welcome address was delivered by Prof. (Dr.) Priti Saxena, Vice Chancellor, HPNLU. The memorial lecture was attended by a distinguished array of dignitaries, including Justice Vivek Singh Thakur, Justice Jyotsana Rewal Dua, Hon’ble Judges of the Hon'ble Himachal Pradesh High Court, Justice C. B. Barowalia, Lokayukta, H.P., Justice P.S. Rana, Chairman, H.P. State Human Rights Commission, Mr. Yogesh Jaswal, Director, H.P. Judicial Academy, Mr. K.D. Sood, member of Governing Council of HPNLU and Senior Advocate, H.P. High Court, Mr. Peeyush Verma, President H.P. High Court Bar Association and Senior Advocate, H.P. High Court, legal luminaries and students of HPNLU, engaging with the lecture’s thought-provoking content and benefiting from the invaluable insights. There was a screening of the glimpses of contributions of Hon’ble Mr. Justice V. R. Krishna Iyer, Judge, Supreme Court of India.
Hon’ble Mr. Justice Deepak Gupta’s, in his memorial lecture, provided profound insights into the intersection of law and compassion, emphasizing the need for empathy, fairness, and humanity in the dispensation of justice. His lecture explored the broader concept of justice, beyond legal formalities, highlighting how judicial decisions must take into account the human impact of the law. Lordship gave various examples of judgements of Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer, which became polestars of legal fraternity. He stated that in Court, the only bible is the Constitution of India, whose preamble asks us to have humane side while adjudging disputes.
In his presidential address, Hon'ble Mr. Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan, Acting Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court, spoke about the critical role of the judiciary in ensuring that justice is not only served but also perceived as being fair and humane. His address underscored the significance of maintaining a balance between legal technicalities and the human elements that lie at the heart of every case. Justice Singh also stated that Constitution is not just a document but a living organism and serves as ‘grund norm’ i.e. the highest order of the country.
The welcome address was delivered by Prof. (Dr.) Priti Saxena, Vice Chancellor, HPNLU Shimla. Prof. Saxena welcomed the distinguished guests, faculty, students, and attendees, and highlighted the importance of the V. R. Krishna Iyer Annual Law Lecture as a platform for fostering dialogue on important legal and societal issues. She stressed the relevance of the theme "The Humane Side of Justice" in the context of contemporary legal discourse and the evolving expectations of justice from both the legal fraternity and the public.
Following the lecture, the vote of thanks was delivered by Prof. (Dr.) S. S. Jaswal, Registrar of HPNLU Shimla. In his address, Prof. Jaswal extended gratitude to all the dignitaries, the faculty, and the students for their participation and expressed appreciation to Hon’ble Justice Deepak Gupta for sharing his invaluable wisdom on a subject of immense relevance. He also thanked the organizing committee for their efforts in making the event a resounding success.
The 3rd V. R. Krishna Iyer Annual Law Lecture, named after the revered former judge of the Supreme Court of India, Hon’ble Justice V. R. Krishna Iyer, continues to serve as an important academic and intellectual tradition at HPNLU Shimla.
The lecture series aims to provide a platform for thought leaders in the legal field to engage with pressing issues in the legal and judicial spheres and inspire the next generation of lawyers and legal professionals. The event was concluded on a note of gratitude and reflection, with participants encouraged to think critically about the broader ethical and humane dimensions of justice in the modern legal landscape.