Ambika Bhat K. S.
(Ph.D.), Christ (Deemed to be) University, BangaloreAssistant Professor
Ambika Bhat K. S.
(Ph.D.), Christ (Deemed to be) University, BangaloreMy primary research interest lies at the intersection of procedural justice, and the reform of India’s criminal justice system, particularly under the newly enacted Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). My doctoral research, A Critical Study of Procedural Justice and Legal Epistemology in the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita with Reference to the Indian Knowledge System, seeks to critically analyse how procedural fairness is conceptualized and operationalized in the current legal framework. It also explores how indigenous Indian epistemological traditions may provide alternative perspectives on justice delivery and legal proof.
I am deeply interested in how India’s evolving criminal laws can better reflect constitutional values while integrating culturally resonant legal practices. My approach combines doctrinal research, case law analysis, and critical legal theory, aiming to build a more nuanced understanding of the philosophical underpinnings of procedural safeguards. I also explore the challenges posed by implementing reforms at the grassroots, including the role of legal institutions, access to justice, and the training of law enforcement and judiciary.
In addition to criminal law, I maintain a strong interest in corporate law, where I have previously worked on issues related to cross-entity mergers in India. I am committed to ensuring that legal education and scholarship remain aligned with the needs of a dynamic society, and I enjoy mentoring students through research, moot court, and experiential learning initiatives.
Ambika Bhat K S has been a faculty member at Chanakya University’s School of Law since Jan 2025. She is an Assistant Professor and Faculty Convener of the Chanakya Moot Court Society. Prior to joining Chanakya University, she taught at Bangalore Institute of Legal Studies and Saveetha School of Law, gaining rich academic and administrative experience, including serving as Principal In-Charge during university examinations and mentoring student teams.
Her academic interests lie in Criminal Law, Corporate Law, and Interpretation of Statutes. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. on procedural justice and legal epistemology in the BNSS, with a special focus on the Indian Knowledge System. Her research has been presented at national and international conferences including t CEERA, NLSIU and the S.P. Sathe Conference on Law & Culture.
Ambika has successfully coordinated moot court competitions, national conferences, and law school publications. She has also served as a research paper reviewer and panel chair. As an academic, she is known for her student-centric approach and commitment to experiential legal education.
- Ph.D. (Pursuing), Christ (Deemed to be) University, Bangalore
- LL.M., Business Law, ILS Law College, Pune (2020)
Dissertation: Cross Entity Mergers in India - B.A.LL.B., SDM Law College, Mangalore (2017)
- “The Role of Disability Laws in Bringing Social Transformation in India,” Supremo Amicus, HeinOnline. [Online]. 2020 https://heinonline.org/HOL/LandingPage?handle=hein.journals/supami20&div=28&id=&page=
- “Agrarian Crisis in India,” Indian Journal of Law and Legal Research, vol. II, no. I, ISSN: 2582-8878. [Online]. Available: https://ijllr.com/post/agrarian-crisis-in-india, HeinOnline 2021.
- “HIV Treatment Crisi in Underprivileged Children: Upholding Human Rights”, ISBN: 978-81-978876-6-6. 2024.
- “Constitutional Foundations of Criminal Procedure in India”, Vidya Vikas Law Journal, ISSN: 3107-703X-Print. 2025
- Chairperson for Paper Presentation, 18th S.P. Sathe International Conference on Law & Culture, 2024
- Research Paper Reviewer, National Conference, St. Joseph’s Law College, Bengaluru, 2023
- Speaker, Human Rights & Russia-Ukraine Conflict, Karnataka Human Rights Council & WICCI, March 2022
- Certificate Course on Legislative Drafting, IALS, ILS Law College, Pune (Feb–Mar 2019)
- FDPs:
- “Literature as a Repository of IKS: Decolonizing Narratives and the quest for Social Justice”, NLU Tripura, August 2025.
- “Public Law & Teaching Methods”, Vidya Vikas Institute of Legal Studies, June 2024
- “Law at the Contemporary World”, JSS Law College, July 2024.
- “Interpretation of Statutes”, Vivekananda College of Law, March 2024.
- “Emerging Contours of Constitutional Law and Human Rights”, Amity University, June 2022.
- “Writing a Good Research Paper”, RFI & Symbiosis, Oct 2020.
Languages Known: Kannada, Malayalam, English, Hindi, Tulu, Tamil.