Call for Papers: National Conference: The Dynamics of False Cases, 21-22 August 2026

Venue: Kautilya School of Public Policy, Hyderabad

Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd August 2026, at the Kautilya School of Public Policy, GITAM (Deemed to be University), Hyderabad

Organised by -the Kautilya School of Public Policy, GITAM (Deemed to be University), in association with Yugantar, the International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad, and Bhumika Women’s Collective, Hyderabad

Despite the extensive and growing currency of the idea of false cases, there is little empirical knowledge or theorising on them. There is also little collective discussion on the topic and the impact it has on academic and communitybased work. The Dynamics of False Cases conference will provide an opportunity for academics and practitioners to come together to learn and reflect upon the idea/phenomenon of false cases.

Tentative Themes

The discourse of false cases: What form does the discourse on false cases take? What themes, topics, and evidence does it focus on and what are its silences? On what platforms does it appear? What are the narratives in circulation? What solutions are offered? What types of offences or sections in law other than rape, cruelty and dowry are associated with false cases and misuse of law, and why?
The rhetoric of false cases: What do judges, lawyers, police and other authorities say about false cases and the misuse of law? What leads them to make these statements? How do these statements shape popular understandings? What role does the media play in shaping these perceptions? What understandings of gender, gender stereotypes etc. inform and underlie ideas of false cases and the misuse of law? The history of debate around false cases: What is the academic discourse on false cases? In what context did this discourse/rhetoric of false cases or misuse of law appear in India?Which laws were being criticised specifically? Which social groups articulated such a criticism?
False case empirics: What are the realities of false cases? At what stage is a case termed false? How do empirical realities correspond to popular discourses on false cases? What role do legal provisions, or actors like lawyers, mediators, and the police play in shaping the specific allegations made in complaints? What leads people to make allegations that they know to be untrue?
The effects of false cases: What is the impact of popular understandings of the preponderance of certain cases being false? What is its impact on both the discourse on and specific cases of domestic violence, cruelty, rape, sexual harassment and violence against marginalised people?
False cases beyond India: What discourses and empirics of false cases and the misuse of law exist in other countries? What impacts have these discourses and empirics had on other jurisdictions/legal systems? How are such discourses and empirics addressed? How might discussions of false cases elsewhere inform debates in India?

Timeline