CLEMENCY IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM

Department of Laws, Panjab University, Chandigarh in collaboration with Institute of Correctional Administration, Chandigarh had organised a one day seminar on 19^th March 2014 on the theme ‘CLEMENCY IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM’, a topic that has both social and political relevance in the present times in the wake of a number of cases of mercy petitions that have been dealt with by the Supreme Court including various ‘politically motivated’ ones. Professor Nishtha Jaswal, Chairperson, Department of Laws introduced the theme of the seminar.  Professor Vijaya Kumar, former vice-chancellor TNDALU Chennai, presently Professor of Law and UNHCR Chair on Refugee Law, National Law School of India University, Bangalore delivered the  keynote address and presided over by Hon’ble Mr Justice Iqbal Singh, former judge Punjab & Haryana High Court. Inaugural will be followed by panel discussion on the theme of the seminar. Panel Discussion included  Professor Paramjit S. Jaswal, Vice-chancellor, RGNUL, Patiala; Dr. K.P. Singh, ADGP, Haryana and Dr. Upneet Lalli, Director, Institute of Correctional Administration, Chandigarh. The panel discussion  followed by technical sessions for deliberations on various sub-themes like Jurisprudence of Clemency in Legal System, Constitutional and Statutory Provisions, Judicial Perspective, Commutation of Death Sentence, Role of media and political influence and Human Rights Issues pertaining to clemency in criminal justice system.