CPR214 | Advanced Criminal Law: Process, Punishment, and Rights

This course combines foundational and advanced elements in the study of criminal law, focusing on the Indian perspective with comparative references to US, Europe, Japan and other jurisdictions. It is designed for students who already have a basic understanding of criminal procedure and constitutional law.

The course will follow a seminar-style discussion format, encouraging active student participation.

The course follows the sequence of the criminal process, moving from theoretical foundations to practical applications:

Weeks 1-2: Philosophical foundations of punishment and an overview of different criminal justice systems (adversarial and inquisitorial).
Weeks 3-5: Investigation and pre-trial processes, covering topics like police powers, rights during investigation.
Weeks 6-8: Procedural rights of the accused, including the right to a fair trial, protection from self-incrimination, and the role of victims and witnesses.
Weeks 9-10: Sentencing and judicial discretion, including modern debates on capital punishment, alternative sanctions, and issues of discrimination in sentencing.