Pursuing Elusive Justice

Description

In a country that is otherwise lauded for its vibrant democracy and independent judiciary, impunity is the norm for mass crimes, and justice for victim-survivors of such crimes, an exception. This timely volume critically examines the patterns of impunity as they exist for some of the serious criminal conducts in and outside the contexts of mass crimes in India—including torture, enforced disappearances, sexual and gender-based violence and atrocities against dalits as well as religious and sexual minorities. At the same time, the essays introduce a much-needed discourse within the Indian legal framework on a gamut of issues, ranging from the Indian penal and military law regimes, terrorism, victims' rights and culpability of non-State actors to the relevance of global justice and standards related to 'crimes against humanity' and 'genocide'. The volume draws the readers' attention to the gaps in domestic laws that contribute to a climate of impunity and compels them to explore the relevance of international standards, concepts and practices on accountability for some of these crimes. By doing so, it seeks to provide the impetus for a discussion and concerted action to address the various forms of blatant violations of human rights. It also highlights the need for law reforms to aid the accountability process and to ensure that justice does not remain elusive.