People

Professor R Rochin Chandra is Director of the Center for Criminology & Public Policy, India, where he works as Police Crime and Intelligence Analyst (Chief Criminologist) at the Office for Policing and Crime Reduction (RCop/ Research with Cops). He is also functioning as Police Pracademic (Research, Investigation & Analysis) on the 'Policing Research Partnership Program', a joint research initiative of the Bureau of Police Research & Development and the Evidence-based Policing Network of the Center (project renewal with fresh scheme of research studies pending before the BPR&D & CDTI) . Before this, he was working with the Rajasthan Prisons Department as Faculty of Training & Research (in Criminology & Correctional Administration) at Jail Training Institute, Ajmer. While there, he was responsible for training and capacity building of correctional officials, and reviewing the prison rehabilitation policies. Apart from his stint in public office, Rochin has also worked with the Counter Trafficking Group (Colorado, US), International Justice Mission (Chennai), South Asian Society of Criminology & Victimology, Tata Institute of Social Sciences and UNICEF on key policy issues.

Beginning his academic career in 2010, Rochin has evolved as a scholar who is curious about practical implications of criminological research. His interest in crime and social policy stemmed from his readings and conference experiences and eventually became profound as he worked with criminal justice. In 2018, he came into national limelight for publishing a ground-breaking article that stressed the importance of integrating criminology and public policy for better politics of crime (access the article under 'publications' section).

An original thinker and a creative leader, Rochin’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, Rochin has authored a number of policy essays, book chapters, opinion pieces, and research papers. He is a member of the editorial board of the International Journal of Criminal Justice Sciences, and writes occasional columns for The Hindu, The Telegraph, The Pioneer, Huffington Post, India Today, The Wire, The Guardian (UK), Deccan Herald and Rajasthan Patrika.

Rochin has conducted the first national study on the present position of Indian Criminology. 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 to a change in the Rajasthan Police Subordinate Service Rule, 1989, with criminology graduates being awarded bonus marks in the state's Police Sub-Inspector recruitment.

Rochin is a Certified Specialist in GIS Crime Analysis by Ecospatial Research Technologies, 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 2022 'Impactful Research Award' from THE Early Career Researchers Network for accelerating progress on Evidence-Based Crime Policy in India through his exceptionally influential research thesis at RRU.

Rochin holds a post-graduate degree in Criminology & Criminal Justice from Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tamil Nadu, where from he also earned a PG Diploma in Social Work.

• 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

2020

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

• Bureau of Police Research and Development (Police Pracademic - Policing Research Partnerships)
• O.P. Jindal Global University (Guest Lecturer)
• Symbiosis International University (Visiting Professor)
• The Rajasthan Society of Criminology & Victimology (President)
• The South Asian Society of Criminology & Victimology (Member)

Editorial Roles

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

Mentors making a difference

Dr. Hanif Qureshi, IPS
Executive Policy and Research Advisor (2019-Present)

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 in Haryana, Inspector General of Police of two ranges, and the Commissioner of Police, Faridabad, Haryana. Currently, he is the Additional Director General of Police, Haryana and Joint Secretary to the Ministry of Heavy Industries.

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 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.

Currently, he is leading a major research project, commissioned by the Bureau of Police Research & Development, which aims 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

Ms. Roopa D Moudgil, a valiant IPS officer from Karnataka’s Davangere, is the Honorary Co-Chair of the Evidence-Based Policing Network, housed within the Center for Criminology and Public Policy (CCPP)

Ms. Roopa was the first woman to go on to become an IPS officer in Karnataka. It came as no surprise when the revolutionary police officer, who is often in the news for her proactive role in maintaining law and order, decided in 2019 to pledge her support to a worthy cause such as the CCPP that aims to produce actionable research on crime, policing and justice.

Ms. Roopa, who is one the highest-ranked officers in hierarchy in Bangalore and Karanataka, currently holds the post of Inspector General of Police, Railways. She graduated from Kuvempu University Karnataka with a gold medal, and proceeded to pursue an MA in psychology from Bangalore University. The two time Presidential Police awardee is also a patron of the arts, being well adept in Hindustani classical music and Bharatanatyam herself.

Over her 18 year long career, Ms. Roopa has served as the Superintendent of Police in Dharwad, Gadag, Bidar, and Yadgir districts consecutively. She also became the first lady police officer in the country to head the Cyber-Crime police division. Soon after, she served as the DCP in Bangalore where she withdrew several unauthorized gunmen and SUVS kept illegally by politicians from both the ruling party and the opposition. For a short period before she was made Inspector General, she served as the Deputy Inspector General, Prisons in Karnataka. She has also been selected by the Israel Foreign Ministry to be part of “Discover Israel delegation” to promote ties between the two countries.

Ms. Moudgil is an influential TedX speaker and well known face in the women empowerment debate.

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.

O. Favour Nzeakor is a Policy Research Fellow at the Center for Criminology & Public Policy, India. Before occupying this position, he taught at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria, with crime, violence and security as his areas of competencies. He was trained in sociology, social work, anthropology, and criminology at the University of Nigeria, one of the premier universities in Nigeria, where he is currently concluding his PhD thesis on cybercrime and victimization.

Favour has a keen interest in studying crime and criminal justice systems from comparative perspectives. As a social science researcher, he has participated in a number of field studies, wherein he was responsible for collecting, editing, analyzing qualitative data. He is currently part of a research team which is involved in investigating the rising incidents of online child sexual grooming in Africa.

Favour has always been passionate about publishing in journals and policy magazines, and believes that research should be used as a force to create a positive impact on the society. His most recent work (on cyber crime awareness!) has appeared in an international journal brought out by South Asian Society of Criminology & Victimology. By joining the Center, and engaging with its scholarships, he aims to boost his publication record and learn practical intelligence in putting ideas to work.

Favour has also served as an administrator besides functioning as polio vaccination supervisor, for both local and international organizations including WHO.

• Cybercrime and Victimization
• Integrity of Criminal Justice System
• Survey Data Collection and Analytics
• Noncustodial and Custodial Correctional System
• Information Society and its Sociological Implications

Leah Cleghorn is an international participant in the Young Criminologist Development Program run by CCPP. She is currently pursuing her PhD in Criminology from the University of Kent, United Kingdom, while also functioning as an Instructor at the University of Trinidad and Tobago, where she lectures on topics such as Gender and Crime, Crime, Justice and Public Policy and Research Methods.

Prior to this, she worked with the Ministry of National Security in Trinidad and Tobago as Research Specialist and was subsequently appointment to the position of Statistical Analyst under the same Ministry. While there, she was responsible for developing national policies to tackle the problems of money laundering, terrorist financing and drug trafficking. Leah has also worked with voluntary organizations that provide support for people leaving prisons, assisting them in evaluating the rules and policies related to probation, reentry and re-integration. She has participated in a number of consultancies related to crime prevention and policing in Trinidad and Tobago besides serving as co-investigator on a grant-project that focused on children and internet safety.

Leah holds an MPhil in Criminological Research from the University of Cambridge, UK and secured her Bachelor’s degree in Criminology and Sociology from the University of Kent, UK. She has also earned a graduate diploma in Law from the BPP University College at Waterloo, London.

• Administration of Criminal Justice
• Access to Justice
• Legal Responses to Gender Based Violence

Gopinatha B.S. is a Crime & Data Analyst at the Center for Criminology and Public Policy. He is currently working on a pilot project, commissioned by Rajasthan Police and CCPP, involving identification and analysis of crime patterns in Udaipur City.

Before joining the Center, he has held various positions of increasing scope and responsibility within GIS Research and Consulting Services, most recently at Eco-Spatial Research Technologies.

Gopinatha is proficient in the use of Arc GIS, Quantum GIS, and Google Earth Pro. He obtained his M.Sc. in Geography from Bangalore University, Karnataka.

Virender Chandel is a qualified Indian lawyer. He has specialized in intellectual property matters such as patents, designs, commercialization and litigation. Currently working on a research monograph, Virender has been offering his services to the CCPP since last one year and is responsible for conceptualizing the strategy for CCPP's IPR protection.

Virender completed his LLM in Intellectual Property Law from the Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom, where he was working with a leading intellectual property firm.

He is an alumni of the National Law University, Jodhpur. .

Pawan Meghwal is an aspiring criminologist who is presently working with the Center as ‘Field Investigation Trainee’. He is responsible for collecting crime-related data through field observations, interviews, questionnaires, existing statistics and news reports. He is closely involved in two of the on-going projects of the Center – one on Community Crime and Safety Survey in mega cities of India and other on Mapping and Analysis of Theft Crimes in Udaipur City – that require working with residents in high-risk neighborhoods. Besides field work, Pawan teaches self-defence skills to police aspirants and school students at the ‘Threat Management Training Center’ of the Rajasthan Society of Criminology and Victimology.

Pawan is currently studying for a graduate diploma in Criminology and Police Science at Janardhan Rai Nagar Rajasthan Vidhyapeeth, Udaipur, Rajasthan. He also holds a Bachelors’ degree in Arts from Mohanlal Sukhadia University.

Before joining diploma course, he was pursuing a career in cricket, wherein he represented Pacific Knight Riders in the Pacific Premier League, a T20 U-19 cricket tournament held annually in the joint association of Wonder Cricket Academy and Pacific University.

His primary research interests are community policing, missing and exploited children and anti-sex trafficking.