In this Eminent Conversation, Dr. Ivneet Kaur Walia, Officiating Registrar of RGNUL Punjab, speaks with Mr. Chirkankshit Bulani* about her journey from academia to administration. Known for her pioneering work in sentencing reforms, victimology, and cyber law, Dr. Walia shares personal milestones, the values that shaped her, and her vision for blending academic excellence with institutional growth. She reflects on challenges, inspirations, and the importance of consistency and empathy in building a meaningful career in law and education.

 

1. Personal Journey & Growth

Q: Your academic and professional journey, from your early days in law to becoming the Officiating Registrar at RGNUL, is incredibly inspiring. Could you walk us through some defining moments or challenges that shaped your path? 

I was selected for my post-graduation at NLSIU Bangalore with an All-India 21 rank. At that time, I chose to stay back because of family, even though it felt like I was letting go of a big opportunity. Initially, I doubted that decision, but in hindsight it turned out to be the right one. Staying back gave me the space to perform well and keep growing, and from that point till today, my journey has been about steady upward progress.

Another turning point came when I took charge as Officiating Registrar. Until then, I always believed, “I’m a good teacher but a very bad administrator.” But in this role I realized that administration isn’t simply about pushing files or managing paperwork. “Administration is about managing people.” That perspective completely changed how I looked at myself and my abilities.

Q: As someone who has excelled in both academic and administrative domains, what values or habits have helped you consistently grow and succeed?

The values my parents instilled in me have been my anchor. I’ve never moved away from them, and they shape my routine even today. I still wake up early, begin my day with prayer, and that habit gives me strength and optimism, no matter what challenges surround me.

Equally important are consistency and discipline. I strongly believe that “being consistent, being disciplined, and being respectful are values that not only make you a better professional but a better human being.” At the end of the day, you can only excel when you are good at heart and empathetic toward others.

 

2. Advice for Students and Young Professionals

Q: What key advice would you offer to law students who aspire to make a mark, either in legal academia, research, or public administration? 

My advice is that students should never stop at one achievement. Many times, people finish a task and then just wait for recognition or for results to show. I believe that is wasted time. “Do 100 things, because even if 80 fail, the 20 that succeed will still carry you forward.” The key is to keep working, keep experimenting, and remain disciplined. Success is not about one big moment, it’s about the small consistent efforts that eventually add up.

Q: What role do curiosity and interdisciplinary learning play in excelling in the field of law today?

Interdisciplinary learning is absolutely essential. Law does not exist in isolation, it is always connected to political science, sociology, psychology, economics, and so much more. That’s why from the first year itself we remind students that law is deeply interlinked with society.

When you enter areas like policy-making, for instance, you cannot draft or interpret law without looking at its social impact. Today, we talk about concepts such as the psychology of crime and the economics of crime. These approaches are only possible if you step beyond the boundaries of legal texts. “Since law regulates society, unless you bring every dimension into its ambit, you cannot truly justify either making law or leading law.” 

3. Sentencing Reform & Criminal Justice

Q: Your doctoral research focused on sentencing reform. What core systemic flaws did you uncover in India’s sentencing policy, and which fixes are most urgent? 

While working on sentencing in India, I discovered that we lack proper sentencing guidelines. The United States, for example, follows a grid system, and the UK has sentencing councils and detailed forms that judges must use. In India, by contrast, sentencing often comes down to arbitrariness.

Judges may rely on personal opinions or even informal discussions with colleagues, something that should never influence a decision. Biases also creep in: if a judge happens to admire a singer or director on trial, they may show undue leniency. Sometimes, even informal instructions like “don’t go harsh on certain offences” restrict judicial independence. On top of that, our legal culture often looks for personal connections with judges rather than relying on law.

Another concern is inconsistency within the IPC. Some provisions prescribe only a minimum punishment, others only a maximum, and only a few specify both. In contrast, socio-economic legislations usually provide mandatory minimums, which ensures uniformity. “We need a clear, structured sentencing policy written into law, not one pieced together from scattered judgments.” That reform is long overdue.

Q: Considering global best practices, which overseas sentencing approaches (e.g. restorative justice) should India adapt, and what challenges would that pose in our legal context?

A few years ago, there was a strong move in India from deterrence to reformative justice. But lately, I see a shift back towards deterrence, influenced perhaps by global examples. People often cite Dubai, where harsh punishments are seen as bringing satisfaction to victims, and some feel that kind of system delivers justice.

But India cannot simply import another country’s model. We are too diverse, with different social and political contexts every few kilometers. “The best model for India is one that reflects our own socio-economic fabric, built from our observations and realities.” That’s how we create a sentencing framework that is truly effective.

 

4. Cyber Law, AI & Human Rights

Q: What keeps you awake at night about AI regulation in India?

The fact that “there is no regulation on AI in India.” That alone is deeply concerning. Recently, there was a viral story of a dolphin killing a woman named Jessica, it turned out to be entirely AI-generated. Even as a cyber law teacher, I initially believed it was real. That incident showed me the power of AI to manipulate emotions and create false realities. Without regulation, such misuse could cause immense harm.

Q: As AI increasingly enters judicial systems, what safeguards would you recommend for India?

The first safeguard lies in the data fed into these systems. In India, judgments often rely on intuition or circumstantial evidence, which already introduces arbitrariness. Feeding such flawed patterns into AI can only produce flawed outcomes.

The second safeguard concerns the systems themselves, are they built in India or imported from abroad? Imported systems may have vulnerabilities, including backdoor intrusions and data theft.

The third safeguard is trust. If people don’t know how technology is being used, they won’t accept it. “Even if AI predictions are near accurate, they will fail if society does not trust the system.”

Finally, AI should be used as a tool, not a replacement. Judges and advocates must use it mindfully. If they outsource human reasoning entirely to algorithms, it will do more harm than good.

 

5. Leadership & Academic Administration

Q: Balancing roles as Registrar, Associate Dean, and research centre coordinator is impressive. How do you juggle administrative leadership with academic innovation?

Balancing these roles is not easy because each requires a different kind of attention. As a coordinator, I try to guide students, helping them write, research, and connect with the outside world. In administration, especially as Registrar, I deal mostly with non-academic matters, which can be consuming. But “once a teacher, always a teacher,” so I make sure to take opportunities to speak at forums and engage in classrooms whenever possible.

As an alumna, I also want RGNUL to grow academically and globally. I encourage students and faculty to step outside, gain exposure, and then bring those learnings back here. Fortunately, I work with a passionate and dedicated team, which makes collective growth possible.

When it comes to balance, I believe in simplicity. “Do what comes your way without overthinking. Noise in the mind distracts you, taking tasks as they come is the only way to manage them all together.”

Q: What are your visions for RGNUL’s Centre for Advanced Studies in Cyber Law & AI over the next 5 years?

Establishing CASCA was something I was very passionate about, and it took time to make it a reality. In the next five years, I want it to be recognized by ministries, where students and faculty actively contribute to shaping policies. “I want us not just to read law, but to make law.”

I also envision CASCA as a hub for global collaborations, bringing together experts from different jurisdictions. It should become a place known for transparency, regulation, and opportunities that enable our students to work in the most elite institutions worldwide.

 

 6. Victimology & Policy Impact

Q: You’ve led victim-rights conferences and research. How do you assess India’s current criminal justice system in fulfilling victims’ needs, and what reforms are essential?

The issue lies not only with the judiciary but also with social perception. As a society, we focus heavily on the accused, ensuring they get legal representation and fair opportunity, while neglecting the victims. “Nobody wants to see the weak or vulnerable, and that bias seeps into the justice system too.”

Some countries have more humane practices. In Japan, for example, offenders can apologize directly or through officials, and the victim’s family may choose to forgive or grant concessions. That simple act of acknowledgment can matter more than punishment. “Punishment alone doesn’t make victims feel better; acknowledgment and compassion do.” Victim impact statements and greater judicial empathy could transform the system.

Q: Do you envision a formal legal framework, for example, statutory victim rights. or are institutional guidelines within police/judiciary sufficient? Even after having them, we aren’t very successful. Why?

Part of the problem is language itself. The term “victim” carries a negative connotation: it weakens the person. I prefer the word “survivor,” which conveys resilience and strength.

We do have guidelines and laws, but implementation fails because those responsible are not trained or informed. A constable on patrol, for instance, won’t know about the latest victim-rights judgment unless someone teaches him. “We keep reforming the law, but we rarely study the social impact or audit how these reforms work in practice.” Instead, we jump from one legislation to another without ensuring the existing ones are effective.

 

7. Legal Research, Publishing & Technology

Q: How do you perceive the evolving role of curated legal research platforms like CLAonline in supporting academic growth and legal education?

Platforms like CLAonline increase accessibility and connect academics to a wider audience. They raise awareness, bring more people into the conversation, and allow both scholars and the general public to engage with meaningful legal content.

Q; The CLA Journal has played a pivotal role in nurturing legal scholarship. How important is it for young academics to engage with peer-reviewed journals early in their careers?

It’s extremely important. In academics, you may be a good teacher or speaker, but you must also be able to express yourself in writing. Journals encourage that process. “What you speak today will fade if it isn’t recorded, but what you write may become a reference for years.”

When you publish, you create a scholarly memory. Years later, you can look back and say, “I was among the first to raise this idea.” That permanence of thought is invaluable in academia.

Q: What steps can Indian legal institutions take to better integrate interdisciplinary research, especially at the intersection of law, technology, and ethics?

The National Education Policy and UGC are already pushing for multidisciplinary learning. But at the end of the day, it depends on individual scholars. “If you talk about technology, you must also talk about ethics, economics, and social impact.” Universities can create structures, but the real drive comes from individual curiosity and discipline.

*Interview conducted by Mr Chirkankshit Bulani, Intern at CLAonline and a 4th year student at Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Punjab