Nyaya Panchayats As Instruments Of Justice

With reference to India.

An intensive global search is on for the "rule of law," the holy grail of good governance, which has led to a dramatic increase in judicial reform activities in developing countries. Very little attention, however, has been paid to the widening gap between theory and practice, or to the ongoing disconnect between stated project goals and actual funded activities. Beyond Common Knowledge examines the standard methods of legal and judicial reform. Taking stock of international experience in legal and judicial reform in Latin America, Europe, India, and China, this volume answers key questions in the judicial reform debate: What are the common assumptions about the role of the courts in improving economic growth and democratic politics? Do we expect too much from the formal legal system? Is investing in judicial reform projects a good strategy for getting at the problems of governance that beset many developing countries? If not, what are we missing?

This book systematically introduces the practice of restorative justice in India, as a resource for comparative criminal justice research. “Restorative justice” focuses on the rehabilitation of offenders through reconciliation with victims, and with the community at large. It has gained momentum as a justice reform movement in Western countries within the past three decades, and it is estimated that up to one hundred countries worldwide utilize restorative justice practices. Within Western countries, it is seen largely a response or alternative to the perceived deficiencies of the existing criminal justice system. India has a rich tradition of restorative justice, and this work introduces both the traditional basis and contemporary practices of this justice system in India, in a comprehensive and systematic way. The contributions to this work cover three main areas: I. The Tradition of Restorative Justice in India II. The Development of Restorative Justice in India III. Restorative Justice Practices in India The third part – “Practices” covers special topics: including Restorative Justice and the Court, Restorative Justice and Incarceration, Restorative Justice and Juveniles, and Restorative Justice and Woman. The book covers the full range of the issues of restorative justice in India and will be a highly valuable resource book for researchers and upper level graduate students interested in alternative justice models in general, comparative criminology, and criminal justice in India specifically. “A landmark volume in the history of restorative justice and criminology in India. Many outstanding scholars in this collection outline the Indian experience of restorative justice from which the world has much to learn.” John Braithwaite Australian National University

First Published in 1998. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

Contributed articles, some of which have been previously presented in a seminar and in two journals.

The Trend Towards Decentralization Worldwide Has Been Accompanied By Differing Perceptions On Its Costs And Benefits. Decentralization Of Power From The Centre To The Provinces, Districts And Villages, Of Course, Enables People To Participate In Decision-Making More Directly. However, Democratic Decentralization Requires More Than Just Decentralization And Devolving Power. It Also Envisages Widening Participation Of The Marginalized- Women, Minorities And The Poor- And Increasing Accountability Of Public Officials At Local Levels. Framed Against The Above Background, The Book Presents An Introductory Overview Of The Global And Regional Processes In Decentralization And Proceeds To Unfold The Dynamics Of Institutional Proliferation/Linkages, Issues Of Inclusion And Participatory Justice, Protection Of Human Rights At The Grassroots, Accountability And Transparency Under Decentralized Governance, And Social Development Perspectives Of Decentralized Planning Process. Apart From Its Broad Reflections On The Indian Scenario, The Book Captures The Specific Experience Of Kerala In Decentralization Over The Last Decade.