Art Of Taking Quick Decisions

Please walk us through your journey in the field of law. When did you realise that law was your life’s calling? 

When I passed my LLB and MA, I noticed the Public Service Commission had released repeated notifications for law teachers who were called lecturers back then. I realised that the repeated notification from PSC meant that there was a dearth of law teachers. There was only private LLM available at that time and I took that up along with my elder brother who was already a Judicial Officer in West Bengal by then and took up specialisation in Tort and Crime, I realised that I have to continue with law and make a career in law teaching.   

What motivated you towards a career focused on teaching and researching in law? How has the journey been all these years? 

My interest in criminology and criminal sciences grew during my master’s in law from Calcutta University. Since very few took up law teaching back in the day, I was offered an ad-hoc position at Hooghly Mohsin College, where the contract used to be renewed every six months. N.L. Mitra, Head, Department of Law, The University of Burdwan, was in the selection committee and inspired me to teach and research in the field of crime and criminology. I then started my career in law teaching on July 5, 1985 as a lecturer at Hooghly Mohsin College in West Bengal Education Service.

I joined as a PhD scholar under N.L. Mitra at The University of Burdwan. My two other colleagues were S.S. Singh who taught at the Department of Law, The University of Burdwan and Hassem Mondal, who later also served as MLA of Memari, Burdwan from Trinamool Congress. It is pertinent to mention that B.B. Pande and Pillai were examiners of my thesis. I was happy to be among the first batch of PhD scholars from here.

I moved from Hooghly Mohsin College to Calcutta University in 1996 and continued till June 2009. Then I went to KIIT School of Law as the director taking lien from Calcutta University. I finally came to WBNUJS as the Vice Chancellor in July 2019. During this long journey I have learned and been able to change my vision, skills and performance as demanded by the respective institution.

Who have been your mentors in this journey?

I would like to mention Justice Mukul Gopal Mukhopadhyay, my guru and mentor who introduced me to the Indian Society of Criminology. I joined it as a member in 1989 and was elected as the president recently. I also want to acknowledge N.L. Mitra for being the guiding force behind my successful career in law teaching and research. I will also acknowledge influence of B.B. Pande, the great criminal law teacher and former president of Indian Society of Criminology in framing my thoughts and writings in the field of criminal justice and criminal law. 

How different has the experience been while heading a top private law school and then a top public law school?

I had to take charge of headship (officer-in-charge) in the Law Department of Hooghly Mohsin College. My headship at the Department of Law, Calcutta University was also a great help in enriching my administrative perceptions and decision-making process. I have learnt the art of taking quick decisions during my tenure as the director of KIIT School of Law. I follow the process even today and it helps me in my administrative work.

What are the new courses being introduced at WBNUJS for young professionals?

After I joined the university, three new specialisation areas were introduced - Criminal Law, Technology and Law & IPR. I also introduced MSc in Forensic Sciences and from this year we will have BSc LLB in Criminology and Forensic Sciences. During my tenure, many courses like Nano-technology and Law, Fintech and AI, Earth Jurisprudence and few other elective papers have been introduced at the university.

Please shed some light on the GI tag plea that has been filed by the institution?

We have been trying to help artisans from the marginal sections of society and helping the disadvantaged community in this way. The National GI Drive Mission is an important step and WBNUJS has already catered to 11 such GI tag plea on the list, including Alpona, Khalsi Honey of Sundarbans, Ektara, sweets from various parts of West Bengal and so on. I am going to meet representatives from the University of Cambridge to take this drive forward and bring the art of our local artists and artisans to the world stage. 

Would you please recommend a book that has left a lasting impression on you? 

I would recommend Upendra Baxi’s The crisis of the Indian legal system. Such powerful writing shall shape all minds and I have used the lessons while conducting research, writing and while I am teaching.