Jyotsna Dayal,Tribune News Service,Chandigarh, January 10

A book titled “Indian Counter-Terrorism Law” authored by Dr Shruti Bedi, senior assistant professor, University Institute of Legal Studies, Panjab University, was released by Justice AK Sikri of the Supreme Court of India at the Chandigarh Judicial Academy here today.The book deals with lacunae existing in the past laws on counter-terrorism in India, which have to a certain extent been taken care of in the present laws on the subject.Speaking on the occasion, Dr Shruti said an anti-terror law needs to be more than a penal statute. These extraordinary laws have been justified as crucial correctives that work towards ultimate protection of the liberty of an individual.Also present on the occasion were Justice HS Bedi, former judge, Supreme Court of India, Justice M Jeyapaul and Justice Mahesh Grover of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Panjab University Vice-Chancellor Prof Arun K Grover, senior advocate RS Cheema and Nirupam Srivastav, Head, Strategy, Lexis Nexis India. Justice SS Sodhi, former Chief Justice, Allahabad High Court, was also present.Justice HS Bedi welcomed the gathering which included Acting Chief Justice and judges of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.On how the state has dealt with terrorism in the past and the role of the judiciary in dealing with it, Justice Sikri mentioned Justice SS Sodhi who had dealt with cases of terrorism as a judge.Justice Mahesh Grover discussed the ideology of a terrorist, describing how one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter. He highlighted the fact that even the death penalty was no deterrent for a person (terrorist), who was willing to blow himself up for the cause that he believes in.Prof Arun K Grover said the subject was of much relevance in today’s scenario while RS Cheema spoke about the lacunae in the current anti-terror laws and the need for a comprehensive research in this area.