Following the resounding success of its previous four editions, the CAN Foundation this year in collaboration with the West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (WBNUJS), Kolkata and Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University (DSNLU), Visakhapatnam, is set to host the 5th Justice H. R. Khanna Memorial National Symposium on 1 August 2026 (Saturday).
The Symposium is being organised virtually in honour of Late Justice H. R. Khanna, whose unwavering commitment to constitutional morality, judicial independence and civil liberties continues to inspire generations of lawyers, judges and legal scholars.
The 4th edition of the Symposium hosted on 6th July, 2024 witnessed the eminent presence of Justice P.V. Sanjay Kumar (Judge, Supreme Court of India) as the Chief Guest of the symposium and Justice K.V. Viswanathan (Judge, Supreme Court of India) as the Presiding Guest of the symposium.
Continuing this legacy, the 5th edition will focus on the theme: “Without Fear or Favour: Upholding Ê»Judicial Independence in a Digital and Globalised World.” The Symposium will explore the evolution of judicial independence in India and examine the impact of digitalisation and globalisation on the judiciary. The discussions will cover emerging challenges such as social media trials, live streaming of court proceedings, judicial recruitment in the digital era and the need for effective domestic and global regulatory frameworks to preserve judicial independence. It will further analyse judicial responses to these challenges and reimagine the future of an independent Indian judiciary committed to functioning “without fear or favour” in accordance with the constitutional values.
The 5th edition of Justice H.R. Khanna Memorial Symposium will again feature legal eagles from the fraternity discussing two important and riveting issues, with the program divided into two different sessions (pre lunch & post lunch).
The Pre-Lunch Session is scheduled between 10:30 A.M. and 1:15 P.M. and the Post-Lunch Session will be held between 02:30 P.M. and 04:30 P.M.
The event will commence with welcome addresses by the Vice-Chancellors of the collaborating National Law Universities, viz. Prof. (Dr.) Nandimath Omprakash V., Vice-Chancellor of NUJS, Kolkata & Prof. (Dr.) Dasari Surya Prakasa Rao, Vice-Chancellor, DSNLU Visakhapatnam.
The sessions will go live on 1 August 2026 as per timings on the official YouTube channel of the CAN Foundation. The YouTube Link for the two sessions are mentioned below – www.youtube.com/@CANFoundation
Speaker in the Pre-Lunch Session – Session-I
The First Session will be graced by the Mr. Justice A.G. Masih, Judge, Supreme Court of India, who will deliver the Chief Guest‘s address. An alumnus of Aligarh Muslim University, Justice Masih began his legal career in 1987 and practised extensively in constitutional, service, labour and civil laws before the Supreme Court of India and various High Courts. He also served as Assistant Advocate General, Deputy Advocate General and Additional Advocate General for the State of Punjab. Elevated as a Judge of the Punjab & Haryana High Court in 2008, he later served as the Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court before being elevated to the Supreme Court of India in November 2023. His distinguished judicial career and unwavering commitment to constitutional values have established him as one of the country’s most respected jurists.
The Keynote Address will be delivered by Mr. R. Venkataramani, Attorney General for India. As the 16th Attorney General for India and one of the nation’s foremost constitutional lawyers, Mr. Venkataramani has had a distinguished legal career spanning several decades. A Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court of India, he has appeared in numerous significant constitutional, civil and public law matters before the Supreme Court and various High Courts. Beyond his advocacy, he has played an important role in legal reform and public policy, having served as a Member of the Law Commission of India on multiple occasions. His contributions continue to reflect an unwavering commitment to constitutional governance, the rule of law and the strengthening of India’s legal institutions.
The session will also feature Mr. Chander Uday Singh, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India, who will also deliver a Keynote Address. A distinguished constitutional lawyer and one of India’s leading members of the Bar, he is renowned for his expertise in constitutional law, civil liberties and public law. Having appeared in several landmark matters before constitutional courts, he has consistently championed the protection of fundamental rights, freedom of expression and democratic values.
The distinguished speakers will initiate the discussions by examining the evolving dimensions of judicial independence in India and the constitutional challenges posed by an increasingly digital and globalised world.
Speaker in the Post-Lunch Session – Session II
The Post-Lunch Session will be presided over by Mr. Justice Joymalya Bagchi, Judge, Supreme Court of India, who will deliver the Presiding Address. Elevated to the Supreme Court of India in March 2025, Justice Bagchi has had a distinguished judicial career marked by his expertise in constitutional and criminal law. Before his elevation to the Bench, he practised extensively before the Calcutta High Court, the Supreme Court of India and several other High Courts after enrolling as an advocate in 1991. He was appointed as a Judge of the Calcutta High Court in 2011 and also served on the Andhra Pradesh High Court before being repatriated to the Calcutta High Court. His rich experience at both the Bar and the Bench has made him one of the country’s most respected jurists.
Joining him will be Mr. Dama Seshadri Naidu, Senior Advocate, who will also deliver a Special Address. An eminent legal practitioner with extensive experience in constitutional, civil, commercial and arbitration matters, Mr. Naidu is widely respected for his incisive legal analysis, persuasive advocacy and profound understanding of constitutional principles. His distinguished practice before constitutional courts has made him a prominent voice in contemporary legal discourse.
The deliberations will be further enriched by Mr. Nidhesh Gupta, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India, who will deliver the Special Address. A distinguished member of the Supreme Court Bar, Mr. Gupta is widely recognised for his expertise in constitutional law, criminal law, commercial litigation, arbitration and public law. His extensive experience before the Supreme Court and various High Courts, coupled with his principled advocacy and deep understanding of constitutional jurisprudence, has earned him immense respect across the legal fraternity.
SCC Times is the Information and Documentation Partner of this event and has been associated with the Symposium since its inaugural edition. Its continued partnership with CAN Foundation reflects a shared commitment to advancing constitutional discourse, promoting judicial independence and fostering informed engagement with contemporary legal issues.
The distinguished speakers will share their perspectives on the contemporary challenges to judicial independence and the constitutional imperative of ensuring justice “without fear or favour” in an increasingly digital and globalised world.
