Justice Tirthankar Ghosh of the Calcutta High Court on Sunday said that post-mortem reports nowadays were “not to the satisfaction of the court at the basic level”.
Speaking at the launch of a two-year postgraduate programme in Criminology and Criminal Justice Science at the West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (WBNUJS) in Kolkata, Justice Ghosh said: “We have never experienced earlier, but the post-mortem reports are not to the satisfaction of the court at the basic level. The justifications are not satisfactory. The court is an expert to some extent, but if you have two post-mortem reports, we cannot decide which is correct. So, it opens up a third avenue, the chargesheet changes, and the court comes to deliver a different judgment.”
Stating that the new PG course emphasises forensic science, Justice Ghosh said: “As part of criminology, it (forensic science) is required at the investigation and the trial stage. Today, we are faced with differences in post-mortem (reports). We get regular complaints. In cyber crimes, the Investigation Officer, up to a certain level, can trace the money trail. But so far as removing obscene materials is concerned, there is a large dearth, and victims face embarrassment. These being part of the curriculum is beneficial.”
For the first time, the PG courses are being offered in hybrid mode, and the programme will provide both MA and MSc degree options, making it accessible to students as well as working professionals who wish to pursue advanced studies while balancing professional commitments.
Justice Sugato Majumdar of the Calcutta High Court, who was also present on the occasion, said, “It (the course) offers a unique opportunity for those who want to pursue criminology. Many do not have an LLB, but many are associated with professions like the police and jail authorities. They can pursue these courses. It will open up new vistas of learning, which is beneficial. The criminal justice system needs constant upgrading and sensitisation. IOs are not always well-versed in cyber crimes. Therefore, they cannot prove the case in court even if it is a good case. This hampers the trial.”
The initiative is aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the UGC’s revised guidelines. The MA candidates will undertake three specialised papers in forensic studies, while the MSc candidates will complete five forensic papers, combining legal, social, and scientific perspectives.
The curriculum will cover subjects such as victimology, cybercrime and forensic technology, criminal profiling, prison management, rehabilitation, forensic anthropology, and predictive crime analysis. A praxis-based approach will bring in case studies, field visits, expert lectures, and collaborative projects.
“When I was a student, there was no concept of victimology. But it has gained a lot of momentum now. In our country, we don’t have a distinct or separate status of victimology, but we have the statute of victim compensation. The rapid technological mutation that has transcended borders, the cyber crime, as well as forensic technology, needs synergy. This course is inclusive,” Justice Ananya Banerjee of the Calcutta High Court said at the launch of the programme.
Speaking at the event, IPS officer and Director General (Cyber Crime), West Bengal, Sanjay Singh, said that the world, especially India, is facing a tsunami of cyber crime. “Cyber crime is a major problem, and the situation is dynamic. 400 complaints come in a day. The annual loss is around Rs 30-35 crores. We are trying to work on solutions. The RBI has a major role to play. The money laundering investigation is also very sensitive. Police are developing ways to investigate it,” Singh added.
Meanwhile, Nirmal Kanti Chakrabarti, the vice-Chancellor of WBNUJS, said the new programme seeks to prepare a generation of professionals equipped with theoretical understanding and practical skills in law, criminology, forensic science, and victimology. “It will also open pathways to careers in criminal justice administration, forensic services, corrections, policing, and policy research,” the V-C said.
Calling the hybrid format “especially attractive for working professionals,” Chakrabarti added, “This programme is designed not only to enhance careers but also to respond to society’s urgent need for skilled experts in crime management and justice delivery.”
Admissions are open to graduates from varied backgrounds. Law, social sciences, and Arts graduates may choose the MA stream, while science graduates can opt for the MSc stream. A minimum of 50% marks from a UGC-recognised university is required, and students awaiting results are also eligible to apply for the course.