To become a global leader in comparative criminal law and criminal justice, promoting fair, equitable, and effective legal systems worldwide.
About Us
O.P. Jindal Global University(JGU) began with the Founding Chancellor, Mr. Naveen Jindal, and the Founding Vice Chancellor, Professor (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar, sharing a vision of institution building, knowledge creation, and nation building.
In keeping with its vision, on the occasion of the World Day of Social Justice, observed on February 20th, the Jindal Global Law School(JGLS) announced the establishment of the K.K. Luthra & Nirmal Luthra Centre for Comparative Criminal Law and Criminal Justice Studies at the JGU International Academy, New Delhi.
The Centre, established through a fully endowed fund, will serve as a global hub for interdisciplinary research, dialogue, and advocacy in criminal law and criminal justice, fostering a legacy of excellence in research, education, advocacy, and reform. Moreover, it will work towards ensuring the sustainability of its activities in perpetuity.
The center's vision further coincides with the thoughts expressed by our Founding Vice Chancellor, Professor(Dr.) C. Raj Kumar, who in a recent Roundtable Conference at the World Economic Forum in Davos, focused on how education and sustainable development can become the pillars of a harmonious future where human aspirations align with the ecological realities of our planet.
World Day of Social Justice
20th Feburary
The centre with these and many other foresighted initiatives aims to stand at the forefront of advancing criminal law and justice studies which is precisely what the Luthra Legacy continues to do for the nation.
Legacy of Shri K.K. Luthra & Smt. Nirmal Luthra
Shri K.K. Luthra, Sr. Advocate was born in April 1925 in Khanewal (West Punjab) now in Pakistan. He began his legal practice in Shimla before moving to Delhi in 1950, where he practiced until his passing in 1997. Initially focused on civil law, he later gained prominence in criminal law, regularly appearing in High Courts and the Supreme Court of India. From 1970 onwards, he was involved in nearly all major criminal cases in Delhi and frequently traveled for cases across India. He was designated a Senior Advocate of the Delhi High Court in 1984.
As lead defense counsel, he handled significant cases such as the Baroda Dynamite Case, L.N. Mishra murder case, Classik Computers Case, St. Kitts Case, and Coomar Narain Espionage Case. During the Emergency (1975-77), he defended numerous political and social figures detained under MISA. His wife, Smt. Nirmal Luthra was a pillar of strength and excellence. Her devotion to education, integrity & justice played a pivotal role in supporting the legal journey of the Luthra family.
Shri K.K. Luthra and Smt. Nirmal Luthra has left an enduring legacy of integrity, justice & fairness in the field of law and especially in criminal law practice. In his memory, the K.K. Luthra Memorial Moot Court is held annually since 2005 at the Campus Law Centre, University of Delhi.
The Oxford & Cambridge Society of India offers the OCSI K.K. Luthra Memorial Scholarship, tenable at either the University of Cambridge or the University of Oxford worth INR 4,00,000 (Rupees Four Lacs), and the OCSI Nirmal Luthra Memorial Scholarship, tenable at the University of Cambridge worth INR 4,00,000 (Rupees Four Lacs).
Their lives and legacy are an inspiration to aspiring lawyers and shall be a guiding principle for this new Centre.
The Centre of Comparative Criminal Law and Criminal Justice Studies inherits the Luthra family’s affinity for criminal law and justice. The hub aspires to inspire intellectual rigor in scholars and practitioners of the discipline.
Objectives
- Promote high-quality research in comparative criminal law and justice systems.
- Foster academic and practitioner dialogue on contemporary challenges in criminal law.
- Encourage law reform initiatives for fair and effective justice delivery.
- Create a repository of knowledge on global best practices in criminal law and justice.
- Build a cadre of young scholars and legal professionals through training programs.
- Facilitate policy engagement with governments, judicial bodies, and international organizations.
- Celebrate the legacy of K.K. Luthra and Nirmal Luthra by fostering values of integrity, fairness, and justice in criminal law practice.
Flagship Activities and Initiatives
- Objective: Recognizing and encouraging excellence in the study of criminal law, criminology, and criminal justice.
- Plan:
- Award Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals annually to the top three students in each of the three courses.
- Winners will also receive a Merit Certificate, which will be formally recognized on the occasion of University Day.
- These awards will inspire future generations of scholars and practitioners, fostering intellectual rigor and academic excellence in disciplines crucial to the Luthra family’s legacy.
- Objective: Facilitating scholarly dialogue on global perspectives and challenges in criminal law.
- Plan:
- Host biennial international conferences on topics such as restorative justice, cybercrime, and human rights in criminal justice.
- Publish conference proceedings in a peer-reviewed journal.
- Objective: Developing actionable recommendations for reforms in India’s criminal justice system.
- Plan:
- Establish working groups on pre-trial detention, bail reforms, and police accountability.
- Submit white papers and policy recommendations to stakeholders.
- Objective: Analyzing and comparing criminal justice frameworks worldwide.
- Plan:
- Research plea bargaining, victim rights, and evidence law.
- Publish reports and policy briefs to inform academia and policymakers.
- Objective: Enhancing skills for lawyers, judges, and prosecutors.
- Plan:
- Conduct workshops on forensic evidence, cybercrime litigation, and human rights advocacy.
- Collaborate with bar councils and judicial academies.
- Objective: Supporting emerging scholars in criminal law and justice studies.
- Plan:
- Offer fully funded fellowships for postgraduate and doctoral students.
- Mentor fellows to produce policy-relevant research.
- Objective: Preserving and disseminating Mr. K.K. Luthra’s legal philosophy and contributions.
- Plan:
- Publish books and articles on his casework and impact.
- Create an open-access digital repository on criminal law.
- Objective: Enhancing public understanding of criminal justice issues.
- Plan:
- Organize public talks, webinars, and podcasts.
- Collaborate with NGOs and advocacy groups.
- Objective: Encouraging interaction among the judiciary, academia, and practitioners.
- Plan:
- Host semi-annual closed-door roundtables on emerging legal challenges.
- Develop policy briefs based on these discussions.
- Objective: Providing practical exposure to students in criminal law practice and research.
- Plan:
- Partner with law firms, courts, and NGOs for internships.
- Offer training in trial advocacy and legal drafting.
Family Legacy and Contributions
Ms. Ketaki Goswami
Advocate, Supreme Court of India
Ms. Ketaki Goswami is a distinguished legal luminary and the wife of Mr. Sidharth Luthra. Her expertise and contributions to legal practice and advocacy continue to inspire young professionals in the field of law.
Ms. Geeta Luthra
Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India
Ms. Geeta Luthra is an accomplished lawyer and Senior advocate of the Supreme Court of India. She is the sister of Mr. Sidharth Luthra. Her work has significantly shaped legal discourse in India, making her an integral part of this family’s legal legacy.
Dr. Meera Luthra
Senior Consultant in Paediatric Surgery
Dr. Meera Luthra is a renowned pediatric surgeon. She has received her surgical training from the prestigious Christian Medical College, Ludhiana, and super specialty pediatric surgery training from All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). This was followed by a clinical fellowship at Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
Events
20th Feb, 2025
Seminar marking the World Day of Social Justice 2025 & Announcing the Establishment of K.K. Luthra & Nirmal Luthra Centre for Comparative Criminal Law and Criminal Justice StudiesReflections by Global Scholars
