Championing Women's Rights: Legal Advocacy and Gender Justice
I use the law as a shield and a sword for those the system leaves behind. Whether you are facing domestic abuse, workplace harassment, or need to assert your rights as a daughter, I am here to help you navigate the system and fight for your dignity.
Every woman must know her rights. In this interview, I outline key legal protections, such as the rule against arresting a woman after sunset, the provisions of the Domestic Violence Act for shelter and protection, and the right to have an FIR registered on the spot for heinous crimes under the new Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita.
Domestic violence is a silent epidemic, with a young bride being killed for dowry every hour in India. In this video, I discuss a case of a newly married woman who faced extreme mental cruelty. I explain how we used Section 498A of the IPC and the Domestic Violence Act to file an FIR, secure her property, and fight for her dignity.
The Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) in private companies is often a powerless body. I share the story of a client, an ICC chairperson, who was terminated after she found a senior executive guilty of sexual harassment. This case became the basis for my PIL in the Supreme Court to demand job security and independence for ICC members.
The debate around gender-biased laws requires a nuanced understanding of social realities. While some men face violence, the data from the National Crime Records Bureau shows that thousands of women are still burnt for dowry. I argue that laws like the Domestic Violence Act were created to protect the historically vulnerable, and their misuse is a failure of implementation and police corruption, not the law itself.
When a public figure like actor Chiranjeev states he wants a grandson to carry on his legacy, it reinforces a regressive, patriarchal mindset. I explain how such statements undermine the progress made in fighting female foeticide and can increase domestic abuse against women who do not produce sons. It is a direct contradiction to the legal strides we have made for gender equality.
Dowry death is not a crime of the past. According to NCB data, 23 married women die from dowry-related "kitchen fires" every 24 hours. I explain the history and importance of Section 498A, a law designed to save women from being burnt or driven to suicide, and I argue that its misuse by corrupt officials should not invalidate its critical purpose.
The Domestic Violence Act gives a woman the legal right to live in her shared household. I have personally secured court orders that partition a house to ensure a woman has a protected space, free from her abusive husband. It is a powerful tool that allows women to live with dignity while they fight their legal battles.
About this collection
Dekhiye, the law is not just ink on paper; it is a tool for survival. Many women fear they will be thrown out of their own homes if they speak up, but under the Domestic Violence Act, you have a legal right to reside in your shared household. I have successfully obtained court orders to partition homes, ensuring women have a protected, independent space while they fight their legal battles.
Asserting Your Rights
Many of my clients come to me after years of suffering in silence, thinking they have no options. This is a myth. Whether it is filing an FIR under Section 498A for cruelty, or navigating the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, you must understand that the law is on your side if you know how to use it.
Workplace Safety & POSH
Corporate environments often try to brush harassment under the carpet. As a lawyer, I have seen too many instances where Internal Complaints Committees (ICC) are rendered powerless or biased. If you are facing sexual harassment at your workplace, I help ensure the ICC functions with accountability. If you are an ICC member facing retaliation for doing your job, I provide the legal strategy needed to protect your position and your integrity.
Navigating the System
Access to justice in India is often hindered by police corruption and the tedious process of 'taarikh pe taarikh' (never-ending court dates). My approach is to cut through the noise. We build cases based on facts, evidence, and clear legal arguments. We do not just file complaints; we demand accountability from the institutions meant to protect you.
If you are dealing with:
- Domestic Abuse: We can secure protection orders and interim maintenance.
- Dowry Harassment: We use the law to pursue justice, whether through criminal proceedings or recovery of your stree-dhan (woman's assets).
- Divorce & Maintenance: We ensure the process is fair, transparent, and grounded in your financial and emotional security.
I believe in the strength of the collective. When you fight for your rights, you are not just helping yourself, you are setting a precedent for every woman who comes after you.
Abha Singh
I am Abha Singh, and for me, the law is about nyay (justice) in its most raw form. I transitioned from the civil service to the courtroom because I saw too many women silenced by a broken system, and I decided to become the voice they were denied.
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