Supreme Court Grants Crimeophobia Team the Liberty to Move for Final Hearing Amid Delays by Government Ministries: UNTOC Implementation (India)

New Delhi (Bureau): One of the longest Legal & Security Audit carried out by the Crimeophobia Team in favour of the Public Interest towards National Security has been of the growing Transnational Organised Crime in which India signed the treaty with the United Nations against Money Laundering, Human Trafficking and Arms & Ammunition Smuggling. In a significant development at the Supreme Court of India, Criminologist Snehil Dhall, founder of the global criminology firm Crimeophobia, was granted the option to proceed directly to a final hearing in his landmark case involving 46 government ministries across the central, state, and union territories. This decision comes after repeated delays in the submission of counter-affidavits from various ministries, prompting the Crimeophobia Team to push for a deadline that would expedite the process. However, the Supreme Court clarified that it could not compel the ministries to respond, effectively allowing Dhall to advance the case at the ministries' own risk.

The roots of this case trace back to 2020 when the Supreme Court issued an “Issue Rule” order, laying the foundation for this high-stakes matter involving multiple levels of government. Soon after, the COVID-19 pandemic provided the ministries with added time to file responses, creating an extended window for them to submit affidavits. As the government’s timeline stretched, Dhall’s team filed an additional application urging the Court to impose a strict deadline for responses. But in this week’s hearing, the Supreme Court Judges underscored their stance: while ministries are fully aware of the ongoing case, the Court cannot enforce a deadline. Instead, the Court granted Dhall permission to seek a final hearing directly, a move that could accelerate resolution.

The courtroom proceedings saw representation from Crimeophobia’s team, with Dhall himself in attendance alongside Board of Advisor and Advocate-on-Record Mareesh Pravir Sahay. Together, they faced a team of legal representatives from 17 states and union territories, including lawyers representing Sikkim, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Mizoram, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Andaman Nicobar Island, Arunachal Pradesh, Kerala, Odisha, Rajasthan, Nagaland, Goa, Karnataka, Chandigarh, Maharashtra and Central Finance Ministry.

Advocate Mareesh Pravir Sahay, arguing on Mr Dhall’s behalf, reiterated their request for a fixed timeline for ministry responses. He stated that “The matter was listed on the application which was mentioned in the previous month. The application had sought a direction that all the respondents may be directed to file their responses or counter-affidavits within a scheduled or fixed time frame. When the application was taken up for hearing today, the Hon'ble court was pleased to observe that they cannot compel any party or respondent to file any reply or counter. Especially if they don't do so that is at their own risk because then the petition itself goes uncontroverted. The second observation which has come from the Hon'ble Court is that liberty has been given to us to move or circulate a motion whereby the matter can then be requested to be put up for a final hearing. That step will be taken by us at the earliest.”

The Court’s observations signal a push for judicial efficiency, allowing the Crimeophobia Team to move forward without awaiting further responses from the ministries. The Judges emphasized that each ministry’s choice not to respond would mean the petition remains uncontested, potentially favouring his arguments if the case advances without opposition. This decision could mark a pivotal moment in Dhall’s legal battle, which addresses complex issues across central and state governments and seeks accountability from numerous ministries. Dhall’s Crimeophobia, known for its expertise in criminology and security advisory, has been a vocal advocate for structured governance and compliance within India’s ministries. Dhall’s petition could have broad implications for government practices, particularly in how ministries respond to legal challenges.

The current case is part of Mr. Dhall’s larger effort to bring the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) into full implementation in India. Dhall, who has been working with the United Nations since 2013, filed this Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in 2016 to ensure that India adopts international standards to counter transnational crime effectively. The PIL argues that enhanced accountability and adherence to UNTOC would strengthen India’s ability to combat complex criminal networks that span borders, impacting issues from human trafficking and drug smuggling to cybercrime and financial fraud.

Criminologist Snehil Dhall, the founder of Crimeophobia, is a recognized expert in criminology with over 22+ years in the legal sector. Having studied criminology in the UK, Dhall has since pioneered Crimeophobia, a global criminology firm known for its innovations in predictive analytics, security advisory, and legal consulting. Founded in London and now based in Mumbai, Crimeophobia provides specialized services that integrate criminal psychology and AI to tackle organized crime, human trafficking, and other significant threats. The firm also focuses on preventive initiatives and victim support through its Ministry of Happiness, demonstrating Mr Dhall’s holistic approach to crime prevention and community well-being.

This latest move in Mr Dhall’s ongoing battle reflects his commitment to aligning India’s national security measures with international standards while emphasizing effective governance and accountability. With the Supreme Court's latest ruling, Mr Dhall and his Crimeophobia team are set to advance the case toward its final hearing, potentially setting a new precedent in India’s approach to transnational crime and legal compliance.