Shimla, November 9, 2024: Himachal Pradesh National Law University (HPNLU), Shimla, held its 3rd V. R. Krishna Iyer Annual Law Lecture, "The Humane Side of Justice," with Hon’ble Justice Deepak Gupta, former Supreme Court Judge, delivering a powerful keynote address.
Justice Gupta emphasized that justice is not just about legal formalities but about understanding the human impact of judicial decisions.
He urged judges to infuse empathy and fairness into their rulings, drawing from Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer’s legacy, whose judgments, he said, became guiding lights for the legal fraternity.
“In Court, the only bible is the Constitution,” Justice Gupta remarked, stressing that its preamble calls for a compassionate approach to adjudication.
Acting Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court, Hon'ble Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan, presiding over the event, highlighted the judiciary's duty to ensure that justice is both fair and humane.
Justice Chauhan remarked that the Constitution should be seen as a "living organism" and the "grund norm" — the highest guiding principle in the nation.
He called for a balance between legal strictness and compassion, stating that laws must serve people, not just procedures.
Vice Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) Priti Saxena, who delivered the welcome address, expressed that the annual lecture aims to promote dialogue on critical issues in law and society.
She noted the relevance of a humane approach in today’s legal landscape, where public trust demands more compassion in judicial processes.
In closing, Prof. (Dr.) S. S. Jaswal, Registrar of HPNLU, thanked Justice Gupta for his insights and commended the organizing team for their efforts.
He called the event an “intellectual tradition” that carries forward Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer’s vision, inspiring both legal minds and students to view justice through an ethical lens.
The lecture left attendees reflecting on the ethical, human-centric dimensions of justice, encouraging future legal professionals to uphold the values of empathy and fairness in their work.
