In this podcast, Project 39A's Director (Sentencing) Neetika Vishwanath speaks to Dr. Mayur Suresh (Senior Lecturer, SOAS University of London) on his recently published book 'Terror Trials: Life and Law in Delhi's Courts'. The book is an ethnographic study of Delhi's Tis Hazari court over 14 months during which Dr. Suresh followed 18 terrorism trials. In this conversation, Dr. Suresh reflects on the relevance of ethnography as a method of legal research and the value of studying everyday life in trial courts. Looking beyond the exceptionalism framework in academia that is often used to describe terrorism laws and trials, ethnography allowed Dr. Suresh to capture ways in which terror accused use legal procedures and technicalities to engage with the law.

Terror Trials: Life and Law in Delhi’s Courts

Project 39A is a criminal justice organisation based out of National Law University, Delhi, which provides pro-bono legal representation and engages in research on a variety of criminal justice issues. The 39A Podcast is our endeavour to make contemporary issues in criminal justice accessible. You can read more about us on our website, and follow us on social media

Terror Trials: Life and Law in Delhi’s Courts

Project 39A, NLU Delhi