Bharatiya Nyaya Shastra book launched by Dr Veerappa Moily at JGLS

A book titled 'Bharatiya Nyaya Shastra: Reflections on Indian Jurisprudence & Perspective for Posterity' authored by Dr M Veerappa Moily was launched on April 18, 2026 at the Jindal Global Law School (JGLS), OP Jindal Global University (JGU).

Former Union Cabinet Minister for Law & Justice, Government of India, and jurist, Dr Veerappa Moily said at the launch,

“Ancient India’s judicial system was the most secular and liberated system in the world. The Rishis came out with a justice system which can be emulated not only by the judicial system of India but of the world over. Ancient Indian jurisprudence is an ideal system where it was struggling to liberate itself from the clutches of religion for centuries and also from fundamentalism and religious regimentation. Ancient India used to be studded with democracies. A study of the Buddhist Bhikshu Sanghas disclosed that they were like parliaments, observing all the rules of parliamentary procedures known to modern times, which included motions, resolutions, quorum, whip, counting votes, voting by ballot, censure motion, Res Judicata, and more.”

Dr Moily further elucidated that he was encouraged by Justice SA Bobde, former Chief Justice of India, to write a book on ancient Indian jurisprudence.

“According to the Brihaspati Smriti, there was a hierarchy of courts in ancient India, a chief justice called the Praadivivaka, starting from family courts up to the king’s court. The idea of justice has travelled a long distance since the emergence of the idea of the rule of law on the horizon of legal history and jurists. Therefore, the doctrine of the rule of law was fully practiced in ancient India, and justice was administered according to the law. As Manu states in Dharmarm Sasvatamasritya Kuryatkaryavinirnayam, all decisions should be according to the established Dharma, and nobody was above the law, from the ordinary people to the king himself!”

Welcoming Dr Moily the Founding Vice Chancellor, JGU, Prof (Dr) C Raj Kumar said,

“It’s a very special day today to launch the book authored by Dr. Veerappa Moily. Besides the fact that he was India’s law minister, corporate finance minister, cabinet minister for petroleum and natural gas, he led many extraordinary intellectual initiatives too. He helped establish the National Law School, Bangalore, and many more. He brought in the corporate affairs ministry’s provision to have CSR becoming part of the company law provision, which ensures that companies and corporations contribute towards corporate social responsibility. He played an active role in the National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution, focusing on ethics and public life, led legal and judicial reforms through multiple reports and levels of engagement, including issues surrounding alternative dispute resolution, mediation, and more. Dr. Moily, who has honoured us with his visit, is a remarkable, inspiring, transformative leader who believes in nation-building and believes in institution-building.”

The special address was given by former Judge, Supreme Court of India Justice Madan Lokur

“This book is remarkable for the research that has been done on the Neeti of the Shastras in ancient India. Ancient texts speak about the doctrine of expiation, wherein a person who has committed an offence and has undergone a sentence is like any other person in society. This was a concept which existed in ancient India more than 5000 years ago. Today, we need to look at our procedures, practices, and codes and understand what we do for justice. Can we dismantle some of those procedures and look at something better so that we are able to deliver justice to our people much faster than we have been doing now?”

Executive Dean & Professor, JGLS, Prof (Dr) Dipika Jain said,

“Today we are not just launching a book but celebrating a rich intellectual tradition, revisiting the philosophical foundations of Indian jurisprudence, and engaging with ideas that shape legal thought.”

The launch was followed by an insightful panel discussion with faculty from the JGLS including Prof (Dr) Samiparna Samanta, Prof (Dr) Arup K Chatterjee, Prof (Dr) Amit Bindal, and Prof (Dr) Shailza Sharma.

The discussion was moderated by Dean, Strategy and Institution-Building & Director, Endowment Development & Philanthropic Initiatives, Office of the Vice Chancellor, Prof (Dr) S Sreejith.

Publisher and Co-Founder, Mohan Law House India & UK, Dr Vinay Ahuja gave the introduction to the book.

The vote of thanks was given by Registrar, JGU, Prof Dabiru Sridhar Patnaik.

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