NLU Prayagraj Hosts Justice M.K. Gupta For Judicial Insights Series

NLU Prayagraj, in the second episode of 'Beyond the Judgements' series, interviewed Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta, Senior Judge, Allahabad High Court. In this interaction Justice Gupta shared his personal experiences and legal journey. 'Beyond the Judgements' is a series launched by the NLU, Prayagraj, under the leadership of Sr. Prof. (Dr.) Usha Tandon, the Vice-Chancellor (RPNLUP), on April 7th, 2025, with an interview of Justice Arun Bhansali, Chief Justice, Allahabad High Court. This initiative is designed to offer students a deeper insight into legal matters, the lives, experiences, and values of judicial leaders with an aim to expand the perspectives of aspiring lawyers regarding the practical wisdom of the judiciary.

In the second episode, Justice Gupta began by sharing his most memorable first day, not as a judge but as a lawyer, when he argued his first case in the court. This moment ignited his lifelong commitment to the law and the pursuit of justice. Moving on, he shared his early academic journey, where he once contemplated a career in engineering before ultimately choosing the legal path. Reflecting on his formative years and his entry into the legal profession, he emphasised that the most important lessons he learned were the value of dedication to one's work and the need for patience and focus in the courtroom. These lessons, “inculcated into his personality” are what helped him as a judge to sustain a meaningful career in law, he said.

He provided valuable insights into the judiciary's role in dealing with sensitive issues. He asserted that making such decisions requires years of experience, a solid understanding of the law, and a strong commitment to the public interest, free from the influence of media narratives. He emphasised that “being impartial” is crucial, stating that justice must not only be done but also be perceived as being done, which he considered to be one's “greatest strength”.

Addressing legal aid challenges, he asserted that true access to justice depends on the quality, not just the availability, of legal representation. He also pressed upon the fact that a judge must not consider a case too complex or dismiss it as too easy because for the individuals involved, it may be the only case that truly matters.

Further, Justice Gupta also recounted his visits to prisons in Lucknow, Prayagraj and Meerut, an experience he said profoundly altered his perspectives. These visits, he shared, deepened his sense of empathy and led to a more humane outlook on undertrial prisoners. “It deepened my empathy and reshaped my thinking towards undertrial prisoners”, he admitted, highlighting the moral imperative of judicial compassion.

Justice Gupta underscored the need for openness while cautioning that sensitive areas like artificial intelligence and data privacy must be handled with legislative care to avoid misuse.

The discussion also included insights into his personal interests with Justice Gupta sharing his passions outside the courtroom. He described cooking and gardening as his stress busters, offering a welcome mental break from the intensity of judicial responsibilities.

In his concluding remarks, Justice Gupta shared his affection for RPNLUP, calling it “close to my heart”, having witnessed its development from its earliest stages. He offered guidance to the students, stating, “Legal education is not just about securing employment, it's about becoming informed citizens”. He acknowledged there are many career options in law and encouraged students interested in litigation to follow it with dedication. He pointed to the success of women and first-generation lawyers as examples that should inspire others to pursue their goals with confidence.

Justice M K Gupta's candid reflections and principled views made this edition of 'Beyond the Judgements' a memorable experience, one that left the students with inspiration and an appreciation for the responsibilities that come with upholding justice.