The Square Circle Clinic, NALSAR: Company Profile

Background

The Square Circle Clinic is a criminal justice initiative based at NALSAR University of Law in Hyderabad, India. Established in April 2025, the Clinic emerged from the transition of Project 39A from the National Law University, Delhi, to NALSAR. The Clinic's mission is to uphold the constitutional ideal of equal access to justice by providing pro bono legal representation to marginalized individuals, particularly those facing capital punishment, and by engaging in comprehensive research and public discourse on various facets of the criminal justice system. Its vision is to foster a more equitable and humane criminal justice system in India. The Clinic's primary focus areas include death penalty litigation, forensic science, mental health, legal aid, and the prevention of torture. Its work has significantly influenced criminal law jurisprudence in India, with notable contributions to landmark Supreme Court cases and the release of over 1,625 undertrials from Pune and Nagpur Central Prisons since 2019.

Key Strategic Focus

The Square Circle Clinic's strategic focus encompasses several core objectives:

Pro Bono Legal Representation: Providing free legal defense to death row prisoners and undertrials, ensuring access to justice for those unable to afford legal services.

Research and Public Engagement: Conducting interdisciplinary research on issues such as the death penalty, forensic science, mental health, and custodial violence, and engaging in public discourse to inform policy and societal attitudes.

Advocacy for Systemic Reform: Challenging procedural and substantive aspects of the criminal justice system to uphold constitutional rights and promote reforms.

Expansion of Scope: Addressing wrongful convictions, the criminalization of poverty, and the role of science and technology in the criminal justice system.

Financials and Funding

As a non-profit organization, The Square Circle Clinic operates on funding from various sources, including grants, donations, and collaborations with governmental and non-governmental entities. Specific details regarding total funds raised, recent funding rounds, and notable investors are not publicly disclosed. The Clinic utilizes its resources to support its legal defense initiatives, research projects, public engagement activities, and capacity-building efforts.

Pipeline Development

The Clinic's pipeline development focuses on:

Legal Defense Cases: Ongoing representation of death row prisoners and undertrials across India, with a track record of 33 acquittals and 53 commutations.

Research Publications: Ongoing research projects, including studies on forensic science, mental health, and custodial violence, with publications such as the "Forensic Science India Report" (2023) and "Magistrates and Constitutional Protection" (2024).

Advocacy Initiatives: Strategic litigation aimed at challenging aspects of the criminal justice system, with involvement in landmark Supreme Court cases.

Technological Platform and Innovation

The Square Circle Clinic employs several innovative approaches:

Data Analytics: Utilizing data collection and analysis to inform legal strategies and research findings.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Integrating expertise from various fields, including law, forensic science, psychology, and social work, to provide holistic legal defense and research.

Public Engagement: Leveraging digital platforms and media to disseminate research findings and engage with the public on criminal justice issues.

Leadership Team

The Clinic's leadership comprises experienced professionals committed to criminal justice reform:

Monica Sakhrani: Program Director, leading the Fair Trial Programme in Pune and Nagpur, focusing on legal aid for undertrial prisoners.

Aditya Shelar: Legal Strategy Coordinator in Pune, overseeing legal strategies and case management.

Shiv Kumar Dwivedi: Joint Coordinator in Nagpur, managing operations and coordination of legal defense efforts.

Ashok Gaekwad: Senior Legal Fellow in Pune, providing legal expertise and mentorship to junior staff.

Ashok Jadhav: Social Work Fellow in Pune, focusing on social work interventions and support for undertrial prisoners.

Competitor Profile

In the realm of criminal justice reform and legal aid in India, The Square Circle Clinic operates in a niche with few direct competitors. However, several organizations contribute to similar causes:

Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy: Focuses on legal research and policy advocacy to improve governance and public policy in India.

Prayas (TISS): Engages in research and advocacy on issues related to criminal justice, including prison reforms and legal aid.

Association for Advocacy and Legal Initiatives (AALI): Works on issues of human rights, legal aid, and social justice, with a focus on marginalized communities.

Counsel to Secure Justice: Provides legal aid and advocacy for marginalized individuals, focusing on access to justice and human rights.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

The Square Circle Clinic collaborates with various organizations to enhance its impact:

Government of Maharashtra: Partnered in the Fair Trial Programme, leading to the release of over 1,625 undertrials from Pune and Nagpur Central Prisons since 2019.

Sumanasa Foundation: Collaborated on the Art in Prisons initiative, providing art education to incarcerated individuals.

Prayas (TISS): Jointly released the report "Legal Representation for Undertrials in Maharashtra" (2023), highlighting challenges in legal aid for undertrials.

Operational Insights

The Square Circle Clinic differentiates itself through:

Comprehensive Approach: Combining legal defense with research and public engagement to address systemic issues in the criminal justice system.

Interdisciplinary Team: Employing a diverse team of legal professionals, social workers, forensic experts, and mental health professionals to provide holistic support.

Geographical Reach: Operating offices in New Delhi, Pune, Nagpur, and Hyderabad, enabling a broad impact across India.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

The Clinic aims to:

Expand Research Initiatives: Delve deeper into issues like wrongful convictions, the criminalization of poverty, and the role of science and technology in criminal justice.

Enhance Public Engagement: Utilize digital platforms to disseminate research findings and engage with a wider audience on criminal justice issues.