People

Roachin Chandraa (formerly R Rochin Chandra) is a nationally renowned Public Criminologist who is embedded in the Police Crime Analysis Unit. He currently serves as Director of the SURE Program (Supporting the Use of Research Evidence in Policy Initiatives) at the Center for Criminology & Public Policy, India's premier crime and policing think-tank. Within this role, he works as a Senior Police Pracademic 'L11' (Crime Intelligence & Data Analytics) in the Office for Policing and Crime Reduction (RCop/ Research with Cops), a specialist research and analysist unit of the Evidence based Policing Network, steered by high-ranking IPS Officers. As part of his broader role, he serves as an Expert on Criminology for the Education Departments of the Governments of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, supporting young aspirants in pursuing a specialist role in policing and crime prevention. Before taking on this role, he worked as a Consultant specializing in research, investigation and analysis for the 'Policing Research Partnership Project'. This initiative, jointly undertaken by the Bureau of Police Research & Development and the Evidence-based Policing Network of the Center, focused on promoting police-researcher partnerships for developing information products that can improve policing practices.

Known for influencing election manifestos of political parties through his hard-hitting research on policing and crime prevention, Chandraa began his career in safeguarding with District Child Protection Services before joining Rajasthan Prisons on a technical cadre as the Faculty of Training & Research in Criminology. In this role, he was responsible for enhancing the capacity of prison chiefs to effectively tackle prison problems and enhance correctional results in reform homes (Sudhar Grahas). Apart from his stint in public service, Chandraa has also lent his expertise to renowned institutions globally including the London School of Economics and Political Sciences (UK), Counter Trafficking Group (Colorado, US), International Justice Mission, South Asian Society of Criminology & Victimology, Indian Institute of Technology (Madras), Tata Institute of Social Sciences (Mumbai) and UNICEF India, where he played a key role in addressing pressing policy problems.

Embarking on his professional journey in the early 2010s, Chandraa has evolved as an intellectual who is curious about practical implications of criminological research. His interest in crime and public policy developed through his avid reading of journals and active involvement in policy workshops. This interest gained depth and significance as he accrued practical experience in various aspects of criminal justice. In 2018, he gained national attention for a ground-breaking article highlighting the close relationship between criminology and public policy. In it, he advocated for the use of scientific research in policy-making process to shape crime-related policies and practices. (access the article under 'publications' section).

An original thinker and a creative leader, Chandraa's contributions have fetched him a string of awards including the prestigious Stanley. P. Yeldell Academic Excellence Award and the Outstanding Youth Achievement Award. In 2016, he was also conferred the title of 'Young Change Maker' by an Indian news magazine called 'Tehelka' for conducting a path-breaking study supporting the use of rehabilitative programs, therapeutic methods, vocational education and skill training in reducing juvenile re-offending. This study gained huge traction because of its relevance with the sensational Nirbhaya Rape case that led to the amendments in juveniles laws.

Besides claiming top honors, Chandraa has authored a number of policy essays, book chapters, opinion pieces, and research papers. He makes conscious efforts to promote the extra-academic purpose and value of criminology by engaging regularly with non-academic audiences and informing their understandings about issues of crime, policing, justice and punishment. Pursuant to this commitment, he also delivers public lectures about criminological research in dialogue with affected communities, and writes occasional columns for several leading newspapers and magazines worldwide. These include The Hindu, The Telegraph, The Pioneer, Huffington Post, India Today, The Wire, The Guardian (UK), Deccan Herald and Rajasthan Patrika. Besides this, he has also been featured in crime documentaries and short videos by BBC and Brut India as gender violence specialists, addressing the burning issues of 'marriage frauds' and 'men who kill women'.

Chandraa has conducted the first national study on the present position of Indian Criminology, focusing on the professionalization of criminological education and its impact on crime-related public policies. The findings are presented in a number of conferences and policy round tables. He has also worked with several experts to produce the first Indian policy guidance on the benefits of embedding criminologists inside police departments. The recommendations of this policy guide, while extensively covered by the media, also contributed in bringing changes into the Rajasthan Police Subordinate Service Rule, 1989, with criminology graduates being awarded bonus marks in the state's Police Sub-Inspector recruitment.

With his growing contributions and impact to the safety and wellbeing of children, Chandraa has become one of the authoritative voices in the field of Child Protection, who is called upon by criminal justice agencies, educational departments and welfare organizations for designing and delivering evidence-based child protection services and programs at the regional level. In 2022, he launched a game-changing initiative called 'Community Safety Clinics' (aka Mohalla Suraksha Clinics) that aims to improve the socio-emotional competence and learning outcomes of adolescents, including addressing their emotional and behavioral difficulties, by offering them comprehensive education and training on topics like delayed gratification, future-orientation, character formation, sexual ethics, natural laws, relationship building, informed choices, conscious/responsible sexual decisions, pornography, HIV/AIDS, marital happiness, wellness, etc.

He is also responsible for the evaluation of Happiness Curriculum in the schools of Delhi Government, the results of which were discussed with the Principal Advisor of Delhi Education Department in a sub-regional consultation at New Delhi (News Report Available under Resources/Features). Resultantly, he has been conferred with the highly regarded 'Safeguarding and Protecting Children Award' and 'Teachers Appreciation Award' (2023) by Lions Clubs International, India, in recognition of his consistent teaching and research-innovative activities to provide safe environment for children and protect them from all forms of exploitation and violence. He is currently involved in a research study that aims to prevent school violence and promote safe and supportive learning environment for children.

Chandraa is pursuing his professional practice in policing under the University of Cambridge, UK. He is certified as a 'GIS Crime Analysis Specialist' by Ecospatial Research Technologies in India and Australia. He completed his Advanced Research Degree in Criminology from the National Security and Police University (famously called as Rashtriya Raksha University, RRU), Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India. He also received the late Herman Goldstein Impactful Research Award 2023 from The Policing Innovation Division of the RSCV for accelerating progress on Evidence-Based Policing through his exceptionally influential research thesis at RRU.

Chandraa holds a post-graduate degree in Criminology & Criminal Justice Sciences from Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tamil Nadu, where from he also earned a PG Diploma in Social Work. By the virtue of his research work and its implications on government affairs, he has also gained specialization in education and teaching policies. This includes innovative curriculum design, students' learning and development as well as school environmental health and safety inspections.

Mentors Making a Difference

• Dr. Hanif Qureshi, IPS (Executive Research and Policy Advisor)
• Dr. Syed Umarhathab (Academic Advisor)

• Criminological Education
• Policing and Crime Prevention
• Juvenile Delinquency
• Public Criminology
• Prison Management
• Evidence-Based Policy and Practice
• Sexuality Education
• Education and Child Safety
• Therapeutic Jurisprudence
• Sexual Violence
• CybercrimeVictimization
• Politics of Crime
• Crime Mapping

2023

Teaching Porn Literacy (Editorial)
Chandra, R.R. (2023, August 12).Teaching Porn Literacy, The Wire
Available at:https://thewirehindi.com/255441/rapes-sexual-crimes-ban-on-porn-sex-education-awareness/

2020

Submission to the Chairperson of the National Commission for Women on Domestic Violence in the context of COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns (Policy Submission)
Chandra, R.R.. (2020, May 21).Submission to the Chairperson of the National Commission for Women on Domestic Violence in the context of COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns.
Available at:http://ccppindia.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Policy-Submission-to-NCW-India.pdf

Protect yourself from COVID-19 Online Scams (Opinion)
Chandra, R.R.. (2020, April 20).Protect yourself from COVID-19 Online Scams, Dainik Navpradesh
Available at:http://ccppindia.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Screenshot-145.png

PM CARES COVID-19 Fund: Be Kind, Be Wise (Opinion)
Chandra, R.R.. (2020, April 11).PM CARES COVID-19 Fund: Be Kind, Be Wise, Udaipur Times
Available at:shorturl.at/jmpH3

POCSO Convictions: Time to plug gaps (Opinion)
Qureshi, H., Chandra, R.R.. (2020, March 5).POCSO Convictions: Time to plug gap,The Telegraph
Available at:https://www.telegraphindia.com/opinion/pocso-convictions-time-to-plug-gaps/cid/1750991

2019

Providing Sexuality Education (Commentary)
Chandra, R.R., Kumar, B. (2019, November 6).Providing Sexuality Education, The Hindu
Available at:http://ccppindia.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Screenshot_20191106-091446_Drive.jpg

Status of Women Police in India (Policy Essay)
Kewlani, V., Chandra, R.R (2019, November 4). Status of Women Police in India, Feminism in India.
Available at:https://hindi.feminisminindia.com/2019/11/04/struggle-indian-women-police-force-hindi/

Improving Access to Justice for Victims of Child Rape (Opinion)
Chandra, R.R., Kewlani, V (2019, October 10). Improving Access to Justice for Victims of Child Rape, Udaipur Times.
Available at: http://ccppindia.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/rochin-vinita-ccpp-opinions.pdf

University for cops (Analysis)
Chandra, R.R., Qureshi, H (2019, September 25). University for cops, The Pioneer.
Available at: https://www.dailypioneer.com/2019/columnists/university-for-cops.html

Researching with police: Why academic criminologists should be involved in day-to-day functioning of the police
Chandra, R.R., Qureshi, H (2019, August 03). Researching with police: Why academic criminologists should be involved in day-to-day functioning of the police, India Today (DailyO), (Policy Essay).
Available at: https://www.dailyo.in/variety/police-academics-researching-with-police-academicians-criminologists-academic-research-criminology-criminology-police/story/1/31521.html

Indian Politicians are not interested in Prison Reforms. Here's Why.
Chandra, R.R. (2019, May 13). Indian Politicians are not interested in Prison Reforms. Here's Why., Huffington Post, India.
Available at: https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/indian-politicians-have-no-interest-in-prison-reforms-here-s-why_in_5cd94884e4b0705e47df5fc7

Why India's Dignity March Against Sexual Violence Stigma Deserves Attention?
Lewis, S.,Chandra, R.R. (2019, March 09).Why India's Dignity March Against Sexual Violence Stigma Deserves Attention?, The Wire.
Available at: https://thewire.in/women/india-dignity-march-sexual-violence-stigma

2018

Need for a better politics over child rape (Position Paper)
Chandra, R.R. (2018, September 20).Need for a better politics on child rape, Center for Criminology & Public Policy.
Available at: bit.ly/2DMq27d

5 Studies and a New Direction in Indian Criminology (Blog)
Jaishankar, K. (2018, September 10). 5 Studies and a New Direction in Indian Criminology, The British Society of Criminology Blog.
Available at: https://thebscblog.wordpress.com/2018/09/10/5-criminological-researches-and-a-new-direction-to-indian-criminology/

Why Indian Criminology Struggles to Influence Public Policy? (Journal Article)
Chandra, R.R., Kunjappan, S., Jaishankar, K. (2018, August 25). Why Indian Criminology Struggles to Influence Public Policy?, International Journal of Criminal Justice Sciences.
DOI:10.5281/zenodo.1403367

Slow Justice for Rajasthan’s rape victims: An evidence-based review of Bhaskar’s Movement (Investigation)
Chandra, R.R. (2018, July 07). Slow Justice for Rajasthan’s rape victims: An evidence-based review of Bhaskar’s Movement, Udaipur Times.
Available at:https://udaipurtimes.com/hindi/city-news/stale-justice-for-rape-victims-a-research-based-analysis-by-criminologist-rochin-chandra/

Why Should Indian Police Join Hands With Criminologists? This Article on Public Safety Might Just Have an Answer (Policy Provocation )
Chandra, R.R. (2018, April 12). Why Should Indian Police Join Hands With Criminologists? This Article on Public Safety Might Just Have an Answer, Center for Criminology & Public Policy.
DOI: 04.2018/100024/01

Rajasthan’s child rapes – and the failure to prevent them (Op- Ed -Hindi )
Chandra, R.R. (2018, March 9). Rajasthan’s child rapes – and the failure to prevent them, Rajasthan Patrika.
Available at: epaper.patrika.com//c/26912127

Workers held captive in Indian mills supplying Hugo Boss (Expert Opinion)
Bengtsen, P., & Chandra, R.R. (2018, January 4) Workers held captive in Indian mills supplying Hugo Boss, The Guardian (International Edition).
Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/jan/04/workers-held-captive-indian-mills-supplying-hugo-boss

Nirbhaya Incident and Juvenile Justice Policies in India: A Situational Analysis (Book Chapter)
Chandra, R.R. (2018). Nirbhaya Incident and Juvenile Justice Policies in India: A Situational Analysis. In: K. Jaishankar (Ed.) Handbook of South Asian Criminology (In Press). Boca, Raton, FL, USA: CRC Press, Taylor and Francis Group. ISBN 9781482260458

2017

Female Victims of Labor Exploitation Vis-à-Vis Labour Courts in the Southern Tamil Nadu, India: Therapeutic Jurisprudence Solutions for the Prevention of Secondary Victimization (Book Chapter)
Chandra, R.R., & Jaishankar, K. (2017). Female Victims of Labor Exploitation Vis-à-Vis Labour Courts in the Southern Tamil Nadu, India: Therapeutic Jurisprudence Solutions for the Prevention of Secondary Victimization. In: D. Halder and K. Jaishankar (Eds.) Therapeutic Jurisprudence And Overcoming Violence Against Women (pp. 171-181). Hershey, PA, USA: IGI Global. ISBN: 9781522524724
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-5225-2472-4

National Law Universities Romancing with Criminology (Editorial)
Chandra, R.R. (2017, September 29). National Law Universities Romancing with Criminology, Live Law.
Available at: http://www.livelaw.in/national-law-universities-romancing-criminology/

Understanding Violence Against Women (OP- Ed - Hindi)
Chandra, R.R. (2017, March 7). Understanding Violence Against Women, Rajasthan Patrika.
Available at: epaper.patrika.com//c/26912363

Online Child Grooming (Project Module)
Jaishankar, K., & Chandra, R.R. (2017). Online Child Grooming. Module 18, e-Pathsala, University Grants Commission.
Available at: http://epgp.inflibnet.ac.in/ahl.php?csrno=1608

Revenge Porn (Project Module)
Jaishankar, K., & Chandra, R.R. (2017). Revenge Porn. Module 15, e-Pathsala, University Grants Commission.
Available at: http://epgp.inflibnet.ac.in/ahl.php?csrno=1608

Cyber Stalking (Project Module)
Jaishankar, K., & Chandra, R.R. (2017). Cyber Stalking. Module 13, e-Pathsala, University Grants Commission.
Available at: http://epgp.inflibnet.ac.in/ahl.php?csrno=1608

Online Sextortion (Project Module)
Jaishankar, K., & Chandra, R.R. (2017). Online Sextortion. Module 16, e-Pathsala, University Grants Commission.
Available at: http://epgp.inflibnet.ac.in/ahl.php?csrno=1608

Space Transition Theory of Cyber Crimes (Project Module)
Jaishankar, K., & Chandra, R.R. (2017). Space Transition Theory. Module 23, e-Pathsala, University Grants Commission.
Available at: http://epgp.inflibnet.ac.in/ahl.php?csrno=1608

2016

Sumangali Scheme: When Marriage Assistance Becomes Bonded Labour in Disguise (OP-ED)
Chandra, R.R. (2016, November 3). Sumangali Scheme: When Marriage Assistance Becomes Bonded Labour in Disguise, The News Minute. .
Available at: http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/sumangali-scheme-when-marriage-assistance-becomes-bonded-labour-disguise-52320

Want a chance to join the fight against crime? A look at the nascent field of Criminology in India (OP-ED)
Chandra, R.R. (2016, July 2). Want a chance to join the fight against crime? A look at the nascent field of Criminology in India, The News Minute.
Available at http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/want-chance-join-fight-against-crime-look-nascent-field-criminology-india-45811

Youth Power: 23-Year-old Criminologist from Udaipur worked with UNICEF on Nirbhaya Case (Expert Opinion)
Chandra, R.R. (2016, January 21). Youth Power: 23-year-old criminologist from Udaipur worked with UNICEF on Nirbhaya Case, Patrika News Network & Rajasthan Patrika.
Available at http://m.rajasthanpatrika.patrika.com/story/rajasthan/a-23-year-old-criminologist-rochin-from-udaipur-1752106.html

2015

Reparative Justice to the Rape Victims: A Path towards Empowerment. (Book Chapter)
Chandra, R.R. (2015). Reparative Justice to the Rape Victims: A Path towards Empowerment. In: D.J. Dominic (Ed.) Women in 21st Century: Working towards Empowerment (pp. 471-474). Panaji, Goa: Broadway Publishing House. ISBN 978-93-84298-19-7

2014

Prevention of Corruption: Lesson Learned from History (Conference Proceedings)
Thakre, A.G., & Chandra, R.R. (2014). Prevention of Corruption: Lesson Learned from History. In: Proceedings of the ICSSR National Conference on Corruption and Anti-Corruption: Perceptions, Assessments & Prescriptions (pp. 54-57). Coimbatore, India: Bonfring. ISBN 978-93-84743-20-8

Impact of RTI as an Anti-Corruption Tool: A Critical Analysis of People’s Perspectives (Conference Proceedings)
Chandra, R.R., & Shivalaxmi, A. (2014). Impact of RTI as an Anti-Corruption Tool: A Critical Analysis of People’s Perspectives. In: Proceedings of the ICSSR National Conference on Corruption and Anti-Corruption: Perceptions, Assessments & Prescriptions (Pp.58-60). Coimbatore, India: Bonfring. ISBN 978-93-84743-20-8

Professional Affiliations

• YuWaah, Unicef India (Subject Matter Expert on Criminology - 2023)
• London School of Economics and Political Science (National Partnership Adviser - 2022)
• Bureau of Police Research and Development (Police Pracademic - Policing Research Partnerships - 2020)
• O.P. Jindal Global University (Guest Lecturer - 2020)
• Symbiosis International University (Visiting Professor - 2020)
• The Rajasthan Society of Criminology & Victimology (Former President)
• The South Asian Society of Criminology & Victimology (Member)

Editorial Roles

• International Journal of Criminal Justice Sciences (International Editorial Board Member 2015-2017 )
• International Journal of Cyber Criminology (International Reviewer - 2016)

Policy Facing Articles/Reports Used by United Nations Offices, State Legislative Assemblies, Crime and Policing Bureaus, State Commissions, Political Parties and Policy Guidance Bureaus

• Kerala Legislative Secretariat (Child Sexual Abuse: Identification, Disclosure, Reporting, Prosecution, Justice and Prevention)
• Bureau of Police Research and Development, India(Policing Research Partnerships; POCSO Convictions)
• United Nations Development Programme, Finnwatch (Forced Child Labour, Bonded Labour)
• Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (Involvement of State Agencies in Violence Against Children)
• Department of Education, Arunachal Pradesh (Career Guidance on Criminology)
• Yale Law School Legal Scholarship Repository (Sexual Dignity and Rape Law)
• Stanford Libraries(Juvenile Justice Policies, Procedures and Services)

Dr. Hanif Qureshi, a distinguished Indian Police Service officer, is Chief Mentor of the Centre for Criminology and Public Policy (CCPP), where he occupies the Honorary Chairmanship of the Evidence Based Policing Network, a specialist research work within CCPP, which aims to advance theory, knowledge and practice in policing through rigorous research and evaluation.

Dr. Qureshi has extensive experience of policing, comprising criminal investigations, traffic, intelligence operations, police training, and handling law and order situations. He is also an avid researcher, with several of his articles appearing in leading international journals. His research interests include police legitimacy, crimes against women, work-family conflict, organizational citizenship behaviors, criminal justice system reforms and related issues.

He has been the Senior Superintendent of Police of eight districts, Inspector General of Police of two ranges, and the Commissioner of Police of two metropolitan cities in Haryana. Currently, he is the Additional Director General of Police, Haryana and Addition Secretary in the Ministry of Heavy Industries, Govt. of India.

Dr. Qureshi’s interest in Criminology was no accident. Despite being an engineering graduate from Jamia Millia Islamia in 1992, his inclination towards academics led him to add several educational accolades to his arsenal.

In 2013, he completed his MBA and went on to obtain a PhD in Criminal Justice from the University of Cincinnati, USA, where he also taught courses in Criminology and Policing as an adjunct professor and distance learning facilitator for two years, until 2015.

His zeal for education prompted him to establish the Mewat Engineering College at Nuh, Haryana, as the Chief Executive Officer of Haryana Waqf Board. His intellect, coupled with a deep desire for public service, also makes him one of the most influential TedX speakers today.

Together with Chandra, Dr. Qureshi led a major research project commissioned by the Bureau of Police Research & Development, which aimed at determining the conditions leading to conviction in child rape cases.

• Police Legitimacy
• Crimes Against Women
• Work-Family Conflict
• Organizational Citizenship Behavior
• Criminal Justice Reforms

Dr. Arvind Verma, a former member of the Indian Police Service, is Chair of Evidence based Policing Network's Steering Committee under the Center and Professor in the Department of Criminal Justice at Indiana University, Bloomington (USA). His research interests are in Policing, Criminal Justice Policy Issues, Indian Police, Research Methods, Mathematical Modeling, and Agent Based Modeling. He has served as the Managing Editor of Police Practice and Research: An International Journal, and consultant to the Bureau of Police Research and Development, Government of India.

His research has been published in several books and as independent chapters too: “India: The Role of Parliament in Police Governance- Lessons Learned from Asia and Europe”; “Politicization and Legitimacy of Police in India”; “The Police and India’s Maoist Insurgency”; “It is just not Cricket”. His articles have been published in many newspapers and media outlets in India and abroad.

He is also affiliated with IIT Kanpur, India on a visiting position and has established a Center for Criminal Justice Research to promote research and technology applications on Indian police.