Ranchi: The inaugural Surana & Surana-NUSRL National Criminal Law Moot Court Competition concluded with resounding success at the National University of Study and Research in Law (NUSRL) in Ranchi. Madhusudan Law University, Cuttack emerged as the winner, while Maharashtra National Law University, Nagpur secured the second prize.
The final round of the prestigious competition was judged by Hon’ble Justice Deepak Roshan of the Jharkhand High Court, Senior Advocate Ajit Kumar, and Professor Uday Shankar.
Thirty-five top law universities from across India participated in the two-day event, which provided a platform for law students to present their legal arguments on critical issues in criminal law. This year’s theme focused on the 2024 Criminal Law Code Amendment, with discussions on topics like the validity of trials in absentia and the constitutional validity of police remand.
Justice Deepak Roshan praised the participants, saying, “This competition offers students a valuable opportunity to experience the courtroom environment. All participants are winners, as they have overcome their fears and honed their advocacy skills.” Senior Advocate Ajit Kumar shared insights from his own career, emphasizing the advantages today’s students have, including easy access to online legal resources. “The journey of a lawyer begins with a well-prepared case,” he noted.
Professor Uday Shankar commended the role of moot court competitions in shaping future legal professionals, while Pritam Surana of Surana & Surana emphasized the growing importance of technology, particularly AI, in legal research. He urged students to verify AI-generated results thoroughly.
The competition was organized by Surana & Surana, a leading institution for international legal education, and was praised for its high standards and its role in fostering intellectual discussions on the future of criminal law in India.
Professor Dr. Ashok R. Patil, Vice-Chancellor of NUSRL, highlighted the competition’s role in not only testing students’ legal skills but also sparking important conversations on legal reforms. The event was attended by several distinguished guests, including legal luminaries and academia.