Drishyam Vidhi: A New Audio-Video Mode of Teaching and Learning Criminal Law starts at DNLU, Jabalpur

1. To bridge the gap between Academics and Practice of Criminal Law a new idea of has been innovated and demonstrated at DNLU, Jabalpur. Idea is conceptualized by Hon’ble Shri Justice Anand Pathak, Judge, High Court of Madhya Pradesh. Earlier Justice Pathak demonstrated this mode of learning at limited scale in Conference of Police Officers (for Investigation purpose) and before Civil Judges at State Judicial Academy, Jabalpur (for Adjudication purpose) but recently it was introduced for the first time in any NLU by Justice Pathak, who himself takes a lot of interest in novel methods and ideas for teaching youngsters including Lawyers and Judges. This approach is aimed at to acclimatize the law students with the nitty gritty of procedures of Investigation, Prosecution and Adjudication so that when the students come out of Colleges and enter into Courtrooms, they must be sufficiently equipped to the manner Investigations and Trials are carried out.

2. The whole concept of initiative of revolves around a unique method of teaching the practical aspects of law in which the teaching/learning process involves audio-visual methods in order to provide a deeper understanding of the law. It is a psychologically proven fact that a typical student has a limited ‘span of attention’ and the use of audio-visual methodology would have an incremental effect on this period of attention. If a concept is taught through the help of visuals it leaves a photographic effect on the brain of the student. Showing a clip/ video involving a legal viewpoint gives the student a live experience of the situation happening. Since the student has seen the visuals it would be easier for him to understand the legal aspects involved in the visual by connecting the facts of the case. In this way, the students will get more clarity of the facts compared with orally telling them about the facts. Further, this will result in a more active and zealous learning environment.

3. As a test case, an action sequence from the movie ‘SHOLAY’ was taken up as a case study with live portrayal of the whole incident. The scene of crime was borrowed from the initial part of the movie ‘SHOLAY’, when a goods train is being attacked by Dacoits (Gang members of Gabbar Singh), in which actors Sanjeev Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan, and Dharmendra are traveling. Sanjeev Kumar is a Police Inspector, who is taking Amitabh Bachchan (Jai) and Dharmendra (Veeru) from the place of arrest to the Police Station/Magistrate for production. When the train is attacked, Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra offer themselves to fight the Dacoits and protect the train. Sanjeev Kumar allows them to fight and all three fight courageously and repel the attack of Dacoits.

4. The said clip of around 10-12 minutes was shown to the students which involved various offenses committed by the different Characters. Since train travelled the jurisdiction of different Police Stations, therefore, question starts from the place of registration of FIR and whether it can be registered at zero and thereafter transferred to appropriate Police Station. Now students were asked to critically analyze how this offense would entail various stages of Investigation like detailing down the offences under IPC and different other Acts like The Arms Act, The Railways Act etc., recording of statements of witnesses, collection of evidence, how Panchnamas would be prepared, how evidence would be sealed and sent for forensic examination for ballistic report and other medical examination reports. It would also teach them the role of Investigating Officer, different Panchnama Witnesses, obtain necessary notification/certificate from the District Magistrate for the purpose of Arms Act etc.

5. After filing of charge-sheet, prosecution team would come into play where Prosecutor would lead prosecution witnesses to prove the case of prosecution beyond reasonable doubt. Prosecution would ensure that documentary and other evidence are properly exhibited before the trial Court.

6. Defence team would cross-examine and would prepare a strategy by which different counsel appearing for different accused would decide the contents and precedence of cross-examination so that cross-examination of one accused may not cause prejudice to the prospects of other accused. After examination of prosecution witnesses, defence/accused can also lead their part of evidence, if required. Thereafter final arguments would be heard and matter shall be proceeded for judgment.

7. Another team of Students would write judgment after weighing evidence and considering rival submissions.

8. During process four separate teams would be constituted:

(i) Investigation Team

(ii) Prosecution Team

(iii) Defence Team

(iv) Team of Jury/Judge

9. In this way, all four teams would come to know the exact Courtroom reality while undertaking this trial.

10. According to Justice Pathak, this project can be formulated in a competitive manner like Moot Court competition also where all participating teams can be shown clip of movie well in advance and can be given sufficient time to complete their Investigation, Prosecution, Defence and Judgment Writing. Later on, procedural aspects of criminal investigation/trial can also be addressed by incorporating different applications like of Sections 91, 216, 311, 317, 319 of Cr.P.C.

11. Stage one of this initiative has been completed on 29th April 2023 and the next phase is planned to commence after two months. Stage I was aimed to make the students aware of the approach of this initiative. In this program, assistance was given by Adv. Vijay Dutt Sharma, Adv. Prashant Sharma and from DNLU by Dr. Prof. V. Nagaraj, Vice Chancellor, DNLU, Jabalpur, Dr. Praveen Tripathi, Dean student welfare, and Asst. Professor Shashank Pathak.

12. This appears to be a new methodology in legal studies carrying the essence of entertainment (making legal studies interesting) and at the same time would enlighten the students. A new milestone in the field of legal education by providing students with the real-life experience of the courtroom proceedings and preparing them for future challenges. A unique pedagogy of teaching law by showing movies, as movies often portray the social milieu and serve as a great teaching material. One more important blessing in disguise is the opportunity that after this concept, many more bright students may look forward to become Practising Lawyers in Trial Courts rather than going for corporate assignments. This would enrich the Bar and the Bench alike.