Internship Experience @ LAW Foundation, Kankarbagh, Patna

Name

Tushit Trijal

Name of the College

National Law School of India University, Bengaluru, KA

Name of the Organisation

LAW Foundation, Kankarbagh, Patna, BH

Duration of Internship

February 2, 2026 – February 27, 2026

How did you apply?

Through email

First-Day Formalities, Infrastructure, and First Impression

Orientation and Sensitization

Main Tasks

Week 1: Foundational Principles and Court Immersion (Feb 02 – Feb 07)

• Budgetary Analysis: The internship began with an introduction to the foundation’s vision. My first task involved analyzing the newly announced Union Budget and its policy implications for different income groups.
• Criminal Law Basics: I was taught the distinction between compoundable and non-compoundable offenses, the FIR registration process, and remedies if an FIR is refused. I learned to use the State Crime Record Bureau (SCRB) site to monitor case statuses, specifically tracking Mokameh 371/25.
• Field Visit (City Civil Court): Under Adv. Raja Sir, I studied the structure of the five Patna civil courts and visited the record room regarding a bail order (Fatuah 67/26). I learned that a Personal Recognizance (PR) bond is a critical tool allowing indigent defendants to secure release without upfront payment.
• Court Observation: I witnessed proceedings in the Special Excise Court under Judge Swarn Prabhat and the ACJM rooms. I observed the impact of judicial intervention in a property dispute involving a 1931 land sale deed and interacted with a judge regarding bail arguments under IPC 376.
• Jehanabad Workshop: I attended a capacity-building workshop on POCSO and the JJ Act. Key learnings included the use of the Social Background Report (SBR) for juveniles and the implementation of Rule 9 of the POCSO Rules 2020 regarding state compensation for victims.

Week 2: Advocacy Planning (Feb 09 – Feb 14)

• Nukkad Natak (Street Play) Planning: I participated in conceptualizing a play addressing caste and gender discrimination. Akhil suggested the concluding poem “lahu ka rang ek hain” and was assigned the roles of ‘Monu / Shanti ke Pita / Bablu’.
• Days 11–14: Professional Leave: During this period, I was on scheduled leave of absence. In accordance with professional protocols, I ensured that all pending research tasks were handed over to the team to avoid disruption in the foundation’s workload during my absence.

Week 3: Specialized Practice and Urban Performance (Feb 16 – Feb 21)

• Patna Sadar Court: Assigned to Adv. Santosh Kumar, I learned the procedural aspects of filing court attendance and studied judicial terms derived from Urdu and Persian. I learned to procure certified copies of records by filing a “chirkut.”
• Barh Court Visit: Adv. Raja explained the working of these sub-divisional courts, how they handle justice delivery at the grassroots level, and how practices take place at these levels.
• Urban Outreach: We presented the Nukkad Natak at C-sector Park, Kankarbagh. The scenes depicted Madho’s struggle against caste assault and gender injustice. The audience of laborers, security personnel, and students engaged in dialogue about legal reform.

Week 4: Performance in Jehanabad Village (Feb 23 – Feb 28)

• The Experience: Performing the Nukkad Natak in a remote village in Jehanabad was the most raw and visceral experience of the internship. Unlike the sanitized environment of a city park, the village setting felt like performing on the front lines of justice.
• The Atmospheric Impact: The heat was oppressive, and the air was thick with dust as we marched through the village square chanting “Aao aao natak dekho!” My heart was pounding—not from stage fright, but from realizing that the people watching actually lived the stories we were acting out.
• Playing ‘Madho’ at the Grassroots: As I witnessed Akhil playing Madho, the barber assaulted for questioning caste hierarchy, the silence from the crowd was deafening. When “Leela” was teased for her color and the unborn female child was aborted in the script, the emotional toll was visible on the faces of the village girls.
• The Climax and Reflection: The scene where the local politician silenced accident victims struck a nerve; elderly villagers nodded in recognition. When we recited “lahu ka rang ek hain,” my voice cracked. I left the village emotionally drained but with a fire in my belly that no classroom lecture could ignite.

Work Environment

The environment at LAW Foundation was profoundly empowering, supportive, and welcoming. From the leadership of Adv. Shalini and Raja Sir to the community outreach in Barbata, the internship fostered a space where my contributions were valued.

This inclusive atmosphere enabled me to bridge the gap between academic theory and grassroots advocacy.

Good Things about the Internship

The internship was a “transformative journey” that bridged the gap between theoretical learning and the hard realities of the justice system.

Growth in Confidence: My initial “imposter syndrome” was replaced by professional competence through active tasks and supportive mentorship.

Skills Gained: I improved my ability to conduct deductive analysis and gained a deep understanding of the “unseen support work,” such as SBRs and RTI filings, required for successful advocacy.

Systemic Awareness: Observing the disproportionate impact of the criminal justice system on marginalized communities instilled in me a deep commitment to access to justice.

Bad Things about the Internship

The internship experience was exceptionally well-structured, offering no significant drawbacks. The seamless integration of office research, court visits, and grassroots outreach ensured a comprehensive learning curve.

The staff’s mentorship and the welcoming environment at LAW Foundation left no room for grievances, making it a perfectly balanced professional introduction to law.

Monthly Stipend

None

Details about the Accommodation, Commuting to the Office

During the internship, I managed all logistics independently, demonstrating adaptability and resourcefulness in navigating the local terrain. My travel and housing arrangements were as follows:

Accommodation: I resided in Patna and managed my own living arrangements throughout the three-week duration. This self-accommodation allowed me the flexibility to report promptly to the LAW Foundation office and various court locations.

Commute & Field Travel: For daily commutes to the Civil Courts and the NGO office, I utilized local transport. For distant field visits, such as the community session in Barbata, I traveled by train and navigated rural areas where infrastructure was minimal.

Logistical Navigation: Navigating the lack of proper roads in interior panchayats and commuting to the Jehanabad workshop provided firsthand insight into the geographical barriers that often impede access to justice for rural populations.

Anything else you want to share?

Naah

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