Justice Mukul Mudgal on Prison Reform, Sports Law & Humane Judging | The Legacy Series

In this unforgettable episode of The Legacy Series, we are deeply honoured to host Justice Mukul Mudgal, one of India’s most influential legal minds and reformers. A former Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court and retired judge of the Delhi High Court, Justice Mudgal’s contribution to Indian law spans far beyond the courtroom. From shaping India’s prison reform jurisprudence to redefining sports law and governance globally, Justice Mudgal’s career is a remarkable testament to courage, conscience, and the quiet conviction to do what’s right. In this wide-ranging, thoughtful conversation, he reflects on: - His landmark role in cases like Sunil Batra and Prem Shankar Shukla that changed how India treats its undertrials and convicts - The creation of the "rarest of the rare" doctrine in death penalty law through Bachan Singh - His fierce commitment to legal aid, pro bono work, and access to justice for the poorest - Declaring BCCI a public body, and his investigation of the 2013 IPL scandal - Chairing FIFA’s Governance Committee, and lessons from global sports administration - His bold take on arbitration reform, junior lawyers’ rights, and why judges must be humane - The role of fine arts in shaping empathy and judicial sensibility - His honest views on the life of a judge beyond the gavel: isolation, discipline, and public service Did you know? Justice Mudgal also brings his unique sense of empathy and social responsibility beyond the courtroom. He supported the Texas Hold ’Em Online Championship on 15th September 2019, with all profits donated to Romil Seva Sanstha, a charitable organisation he personally selected. It’s one more example of how his commitment to justice extends well beyond the legal system and into everyday acts of giving. Presented in collaboration with Solomon & Co., one of India’s oldest law firms with over 115 years of legacy. We are proud to partner with a firm that shares our vision for preserving the wisdom of India’s legal giants. Learn more about Solomon & Co: Email:  [email protected] website: https://solomonco.in/ Hi 🙋🏻‍♀️ Through 'The Daily Lawyer' podcast, I aim to demystify not just the law, but the legal profession as well. **I'm excited to have more such guests on my podcast and inspire more people in the future.** **Email me if you're interested to [email protected]** **Connect with us:** Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedailylawyerig/?hl=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-daily-lawyer/?viewAsMember=true Website: https://thedailylawyer.in/ Email: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) *Disclaimer: The content of this video is in the nature of personal views, and NOT legal advice. Kindly consult a lawyer, with the specifics of your issue to get appropriate legal advice.* Exciting Trailer by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100494 Artist: http://incompetech.com/ Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction: India’s progress in prison reform 01:06 - Welcome to The Daily Lawyer Podcast 02:20 - Meet Justice Mudgal: A legacy in law and music 03:50 - Early influences: From sports to law school 05:00 - Studying law and discovering a passion for justice 06:00 - Mentorship under Dr. Chitale and early courtroom exposure 07:40 - The Sunil Batra case and solitary confinement reform 10:00 - Prem Shankar case: Ending routine handcuffing 11:00 - Bachan Singh and the origin of "rarest of rare" 13:14 - The Kadra case and the release of undertrial prisoners 15:00 - Bail reform: The need for a humane approach 15:50 - Justice Mudgal’s legal aid and pro bono work 17:07 - Declaring BCCI a public body: Landmark judgment 18:45 - Earlier legal challenge against BCCI's player ban 20:58 - Match-fixing scandal and BCCI governance 23:00 - Chairing FIFA's Governance Committee 25:00 - Thoughts on sports governance and ethics 26:43 - Future of sports and administration in India 28:20 - Arbitration challenges and reforms needed 32:00 - Fair fees and inclusion for junior lawyers 33:28 - The role of fine arts in judicial empathy 35:25 - What legacy means to Justice Mudgal 36:10 - Rapid Fire: Productivity tips for young lawyers 37:52 - Must-read books for lawyers 39:42 - Career advice for law students and young lawyers 41:56 - Importance of litigation exposure 43:48 - The ground realities of the legal system 46:00 - Humanity in the judiciary: Law must serve justice 47:14 - Behind the scenes: Real life of a judge 49:22 - Final reflections and the best advice ever received