Fighting for Mumbai Through Public Interest Litigation
Justice is not just a concept. It is about using the law as a tool to fix broken systems, demand accountability, and ensure every citizen has a voice in our democracy.
Leading a voter awareness campaign with my foundation, Rannsamar. I am using a megaphone to urge Mumbaikars to come out and vote, because democracy is not a spectator sport.
With former IPS officer Mr. Julio Ribeiro, I recorded this call to action, urging Mumbaikars to vote. If a 95-year-old veteran is committed to voting, there is no excuse for the youth to not exercise their most important constitutional right.
During our voter awareness drive, I was joined by actor Kunal Jaisingh. He shared a powerful message for the youth: get your voter ID even before your driving license. Your vote gives you the right to question the government.
A newspaper clipping of my article in Mumbai Mirror about saving Mumbai's open spaces. I filed a PIL on this issue, as the Supreme Court rightly calls these green spaces the "lungs" of our city.
This Maharashtra Times article covers the Bombay High Court pulling up the government in my PIL on fire safety. The court warned it might stop all building approvals, a significant step towards enforcing accountability.
A Times of India report on the voter awareness campaign led by civil society groups, including my own. We took to the streets to urge citizens, especially first-time voters, to participate in the election.
A Hindi newspaper covers our voter awareness campaign in Churchgate, highlighting our slogan, "Mumbai needs to vote, Mumbaikars come out and vote!"
Outside a cinema hall in South Mumbai, a constituency with historically low voter turnout, encouraging people to make their vote their voice.
With actor Kunal Jaisingh, holding a poster for our Rann Samar Foundation's voter awareness campaign. Every vote counts in strengthening our democracy.
Another clipping detailing the court's proceedings in my fire safety PIL, where I argued against the rampant corruption that allows high-rises to be built without adequate safety measures.
About Driving Change Through Public Interest Litigation & Civic Action
The fire safety PIL I filed against the Mumbai authorities was not just a legal petition, it was a demand for accountability when the system failed. When I argued in the Bombay High Court that building approvals cannot ignore basic life-saving safety margins, the court’s warning to halt construction served as a necessary wake-up call for the government. That is the kind of 'taarikh pe taarikh' (never-ending delays) struggle I take on, forcing the system to change before another tragedy occurs.
My approach to law is simple. If the system is broken, we fix it with the law. Public Interest Litigation (PIL) is the most powerful tool a citizen has, and I use it to drag systemic negligence into the daylight.
Why PILs Matter in Mumbai
When I see green spaces being swallowed by concrete or fire safety norms being ignored in 70-story buildings, I do not just sit back. My PILs aim to bring tangible change. Whether it is challenging the Chief Fire Officer's disregard for maneuvering space for fire tenders or fighting for the preservation of Mumbai's open lungs, my strategy is always evidence-based. I present the court with the ground reality—the facts that authorities often overlook.
More Than Just Courtrooms
Civic action goes beyond the courtroom. My work includes voter awareness campaigns because a healthy democracy requires active participation. When I hit the streets with students or join platforms like PCGT, the goal is to make people understand that the right to vote is a fundamental duty. If you do not vote, you have no right to question the government.
How I Can Help You
If you have a civic issue that needs legal teeth, I am here to help. I do not take up cases just for the sake of it. I look for systemic impact. From domestic violence and workplace harassment to property disputes and public safety, I analyze the facts and fight for the rights you are entitled to. The law is not for the powerful; it is for everyone.
Abha Singh
I am not just a lawyer, I am a citizen who refuses to stay silent when our systems are broken. I use Public Interest Litigation to tackle issues that directly affect your safety and rights in Mumbai.
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