GNDU Study Highlights Psychological Roots of Criminal Behavior

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A recent study by Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) offers fresh insight into the psychological roots of criminal behavior, underscoring the role of mental health in shaping deviant actions. Conducted at Amritsar Central Jail, the research advocates for integrating structured psychological support within India’s prison system to enhance rehabilitation outcomes and strengthen public safety.

Heena Sehgal, a postgraduate psychology student at GNDU, led the study titled Understanding Criminal Behaviour and the Psychology Behind Crime under the supervision of Dr. Mehak Arora, Assistant Professor, and with support from Dr. Rupan Dhillon, Head of the Department. The research involved a sample of 100 men aged between 21 and 40, half of whom were convicted offenders of crimes ranging from murder and drug trafficking to theft, while the remaining 50 served as a control group of non-offenders.

The findings revealed a significant disparity in levels of aggression, impulsivity, and emotional dysregulation between offenders and non-offenders. Aggression was defined as hostile reactions to perceived threats, while impulsivity referred to rash decision-making without forethought. Sehgal’s analysis suggests that these behavioral patterns are often the result of psychological dysfunction rather than inherent moral failing, urging a shift in how society views and addresses criminality.

The research further argues that India’s correctional facilities are critically underserved in terms of mental health resources. With a notable shortage of trained professionals, including counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrists, prisons often lack the infrastructure necessary to address inmates’ psychological needs. Sehgal proposes targeted mental health programs, such as anger management and cognitive-behavioral therapy, as a means to reduce repeat offenses and promote safer reintegration into society.

Support from Amritsar Central Jail, including the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) and senior correctional staff, was instrumental in conducting the study. Their cooperation provided real-time insight into the psychological environment within correctional settings and validated the urgent need for mental health reforms.

In an era where rising crime and strained legal institutions challenge societal stability, this research offers a pragmatic, reform-oriented perspective, one that emphasizes structured discipline and rehabilitation over punitive excess. As India continues to evolve its justice system, studies like these serve as valuable guides for long-term, effective policy changes that prioritize both safety and human dignity.

Suspected Affair Leads to Violent Killing in Ludhiana

A violent act driven by personal suspicion unfolded late Tuesday night in Ludhiana’s Giaspura area, where a man allegedly murdered his neighbor over suspicions of an affair with his wife. The crime took place in Makkar Colony’s labor quarters and has shocked the local community.

The accused, 45-year-old Shiv Sagar, reportedly attacked his 30-year-old neighbor Nand Lal while he was asleep. Police state that the victim sustained multiple stab wounds to his face and neck, resulting in his immediate death. Nand Lal, originally from Bihar, had been living in Ludhiana for just four months while working in a local factory. Shiv Sagar, also a factory laborer, lived nearby with his wife and three children.

After the attack, Shiv Sagar and his family fled the scene in haste, prompting suspicion among other residents. Their rushed departure was reported to the landlord, who, along with neighbors, later discovered Nand Lal’s body in a pool of blood. The residents coordinated a search and tracked the accused to Ludhiana railway station, where he was reportedly preparing to return to his native village in Uttar Pradesh. He was apprehended by the community and handed over to the authorities.

Inspector Jagdev Singh Dhaliwal, Station House Officer (SHO) of Sahnewal Police Station, confirmed that there had been a previous dispute between the two men. “Shiv Sagar suspected that Nand Lal was having an illicit relationship with his wife. They had entered into an altercation earlier. On Tuesday night, Shiv Sagar attacked Nand Lal while he was sleeping, inflicting fatal injuries to his face and neck,” said the officer.

Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) under Section 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which covers murder charges under India’s reformed criminal code. While authorities have yet to confirm the formal arrest, they have launched a detailed investigation. The body has been sent for postmortem examination.

This case once again highlights the destructive consequences of unchecked suspicion and emotional instability, emphasizing the importance of conflict resolution within communities.