Description
This foundational chapter establishes the theoretical and conceptual framework for
understanding the intricate relationship between criminal law and psychology within the
context of India's newly enacted criminal codes—the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS),
Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA). The
chapter explores the multidimensional nature of crime, tracing its evolution from ancient divine
retribution theories to contemporary neuroscientific understandings of criminal behavior. By
examining the major schools of criminology—Classical, Positivist, Sociological, and
Psychological—the chapter provides readers with a comprehensive theoretical foundation that
bridges legal doctrine and psychological science.
It is with great enthusiasm that Damaraju Pradeep Kumar, a visionary scholar whose unparalleled academic journey exemplifies excellence at the nexus of law, psychology, finance, and forensic science. Holding an illustrious array of master's degrees—including M.B.A. (Finance), M.A. (English), M.A. (Criminal Law & Forensic Science) from NALSAR University Hyderabad, M. Com., LL.M. (Corporate Laws and Securities Laws), LL.M. (Intellectual Property Laws), and M.Sc. (Psychology)—he is currently a dedicated Research Scholar in Law at Shri Venkateshwara University, Gajraula, Uttar Pradesh. With 8 years of distinguished academic experience across premier institutions such as Indira Priyadarshini Law College, Ongole (Lecturer), Chettinad School of Law, Chennai (Guest Faculty), and K.K.C. College of Law, Puttur (Associate Professor), Pradeep Kumar has shaped countless minds as a motivational academician and counsellor. Complementing this, his 10 years as an advocate handling diverse civil and criminal cases equips him with battle-tested insights into justice's practical frontiers. His prolific authorship further cements his legacy, with landmark titles like "Public Health Law: Balancing Individual Freedom and Collective Safety", a masterful exploration of constitutional tensions in pandemics and public welfare, and "Inside the Criminal Mind: Psychology, Behaviour, and Justice", an incisive fusion of behavioral psychology and criminology that decodes offender motivations for transformative sentencing reforms.