Administrator
16 November 2024
The inaugural Surana & Surana-NUSRL National Criminal Law Moot Court Competition concluded today with a grand success.
Madhusudan Law University, Cuttack secured the First Prize, while Maharashtra National Law University, Nagpur was awarded the Second Prize. The final round of the competition saw Hon’ble Justice Mr. Deepak Roshan (Jharkhand High Court), Senior Advocate Mr. Ajit Kumar, and Professor Uday Shankar as the esteemed judges.
A total of 35 premier law universities from across the country participated in this prestigious competition. Over two days, the event provided a platform for young legal minds to showcase their abilities and engage in in-depth discussions on contemporary issues in criminal law.
Justice Mr. Deepak Roshan remarked, "This is an excellent opportunity for students to experience the courtroom environment before stepping into the world of advocacy. Success as a lawyer comes from presenting a strong and well-prepared case. All participants in this competition are winners because they have overcome their fears and hesitations."
Senior Advocate Mr. Ajit Kumar shared his personal journey, stating, "I am the first person in my family to choose law as a profession. I have faced many challenges in my career, but the circumstances for students today are far easier. With the availability of online resources, gaining legal knowledge has become much more accessible compared to when I started."
Professor Uday Shankar added, "Moot court competitions are an incredible platform for students to learn and grow. They play a vital role in their development and provide an opportunity to refine their skills." Pritam Surana of Surana & Surana highlighted the growing use of technology, particularly AI, in legal research.
He said, "AI is an excellent tool today, which can significantly reduce the time required for research. However, the results provided by AI must always be thoroughly verified." He also explained how the Moot Court competition was conceptualized to prepare students to become outstanding lawyers. Surana & Surana, a leading institution in educational initiatives for international lawyers, organized this competition.
The theme of this year's competition was the 2024 Criminal Law Code Amendment, with key legal issues such as the validity of trials in the absence of a person and the constitutional validity of police remand being debated. The judges appreciated the intellectual abilities, courtroom behavior, and effective legal arguments presented by the teams.
The Vice-Chancellor of NUSRL, Professor (Dr.) Ashok R. Patil, remarked, "This competition not only tests the skills of our future lawyers but also provides them with an opportunity for in-depth discussions on the most significant issues in criminal law today."
Participants in the competition praised the high standards of the event and described it as an excellent platform for discussing complex issues in criminal law. The final round brought together members of the legal community and initiated important discussions on the direction of legal reforms in India.
The event was attended by several distinguished guests, including Hon’ble Justice Mr. Deepak Roshan (Jharkhand High Court), Senior Advocate Mr. Ajit Kumar, Dr. Uday Shankar, Pritam Surana, Dr. Shyamala Kandadai, Ms. Sony Bhola, and various professors and dignitaries.
