EFFICACY OF RESTORATIVE JUSTICE IN INDIA

AUTHOR – TATSAVI VANZARA* & DR. KRATIKA GUPTA**

* STUDENT AT UNITEDWORLD SCHOOL OF LAW, KARNAVATI UNIVERSITY

** ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AT UNITEDWORLD SCHOOL OF LAW, KARNAVATI UNIVERSITY

BEST CITATION – TATSAVI VANZARA & DR. KRATIKA GUPTA, EFFICACY OF RESTORATIVE JUSTICE IN INDIA, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 5 (5) OF 2025, PG. 238-244, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344

RESTORATIVE JUSTICE

Restorative justice (RJ) has emerged as a revolutionary method for addressing harm, shifting the emphasis from punishment to healing. Unlike conventional systems that focus on retribution, RJ is centered on mending relationships, empowering victims, and reintegrating offenders through dialogue and collaboration. Drawing from both indigenous practices and contemporary criminology, it prioritizes understanding the human impact of crime rather than simply enforcing penalties. This approach includes structured processes such as victim-offender mediation, family group conferencing, and community circles, where all stakeholders come together to discuss the repercussions of wrongdoing and agree on reparative actions. For instance, in pilot programs in Kerala, a teenager who vandalized a shop might meet with the owner to apologize and undertake community service to repair the damages, fostering accountability while addressing the underlying causes of the behavior. These practices aim to rebuild trust and restore social connections, acknowledging that crime affects individuals and communities, not just abstract legal systems.