In the bustling city of Mumbai, where the corridors of power often echo with stories of ambition and struggle, one woman decided to carve her own path. Not content with merely observing the injustices around her, she took up the challenge of dismantling them. This woman is Adv. Abha Singh, a former civil servant turned fearless advocate at the High Court of Judicature in Mumbai. Her journey from a secure government job to becoming a torchbearer for social justice is not just inspiring—it’s revolutionary.
Driven by a deep sense of fairness, Adv. Abha has become a formidable force in the fight for gender equality, human rights, and legal reform. But her impact doesn’t stop in the courtroom. Through her NGO, RannSamar Foundation, she extends her mission to those who can’t afford legal assistance, proving that justice should never be out of reach. From launching her book, “Stree Dasha aur Disha,” to educating women about their legal rights, Adv. Abha Singh’s life story is one of resilience, purpose, and relentless advocacy for the voiceless.
Early Life and Youth
Abha Singh was born during a period when orthodox customs dominated societal standards for women. Singh’s journey went against the expectations of a time when women’s rights were still a pipe dream. She grew up in a culture that questioned these antiquated customs, which instilled in her a strong sense of justice, a ferocious will, and a strong desire to dismantle the conventional boundaries that limited women’s potential. She received her early schooling at Lucknow’s Loreto Convent and Singh’s career in legal advocacy began when she attended Bombay University to earn a law degree, driven by her passion for justice and human rights. She promptly ascended to the position of legal counsel at the Bombay High Court, where her dedication to justice and legal reform was well received. Singh later graduated from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, with a master’s degree in philosophy focused on human rights. Her knowledge of human rights concerns on a national and international level has increased as a result of this advanced degree, giving her the ability to approach legal and social injustices from a wider angle. Singh became a strong voice for women’s rights, legal justice, and public welfare—supporting the cause of equality, justice, and social transformation in India
Professional Journey
Adv. Abha’s professional journey is a blend of public service, legal advocacy, and social reform. Before becoming a lawyer, Singh had a distinguished career as a civil servant. She served as an officer in the Indian Postal Service, where she spearheaded various reforms aimed at improving efficiency, transparency, and accountability in the public sector, her true calling lay in the field of law. After leaving the civil services, Singh pursued a legal career with a focus on public interest litigation, women’s rights, and social justice. Today, she is a well-known advocate practising at the Bombay High Court, where she has been involved in several landmark cases, particularly those related to gender equality and human rights.
Her shift from the civil services to the legal profession was not without its challenges. It required immense courage to step out of a secure government job and take another career.
In the legal world, where established networks often favor the privileged, Singh’s transition from civil servant to lawyer presented unique difficulties. The legal profession, particularly at the higher judiciary levels, is competitive and requires exceptional tenacity. Nevertheless, her dedication and perseverance allowed her to build a reputation for being fearless, particularly when advocating for marginalized individuals.
Additionally, her work as a social activist brought its own set of challenges. Fighting for the rights of women and the underprivileged often means confronting powerful societal structures, but Singh has consistently remained undeterred. She has been a Guest Speaker at National and International Level. Apart from that she is the founder of Rannsamar Foundation and NGO aimed at impacting society in a positive manner.
Achievements
Advocate Abha Singh has received several prestigious awards for her contributions to law, activism, and social service. Among them is the Tata Consultancy Services and Taj Group Women Achievers Award (2008) for her impactful work in empowering women. She was also honored with the Shatabdi Varsh Samman by the Bank of Baroda the same year, recognizing her efforts in societal education. Additionally, Singh was a finalist in the Lead India-campaign (2007), organized by The Times of India. Her achievements in promoting legal rights and social welfare earned her the Mumbai Mayor’s Award on International Women’s Day (2011), and she was celebrated with the Karmaveer Puraskaar by the Confederation of NGOs for her outstanding citizenship efforts. Most recently, in 2018, she was awarded the I Am Woman Award for her tireless advocacy on behalf of women and marginalized communities. These recognitions highlight her lifelong commitment to social justice and activism. Abha Singh was a finalist in the fiercely competitive Lead India Campaign, a Times of India effort, because to her extensive expertise and grassroots activity. She received the Chevening Scholarship to attend the London School of Economics to complete a Leadership Course.
Due to her exceptional verbal skills, even a strong opponent is frequently sidelined in TV debates. Because of these qualities and her strong personality, Abha Singh has a huge on-screen presence on TV, which greatly increases her recall value.
Challenges
Throughout her career, Adv. Abha has faced numerous challenges, both personal and professional. As a woman navigating the male-dominated spheres of civil service, law, and activism, Singh had to overcome societal biases and Abha Singh faced a challenging time when she took up the Salman Khan hit-and-run case. When she appeared in the Bandra court for the first time, she saw countless supporters of Salman Khan, which left her feeling intimidated. She recalls that it was a tough moment, realizing that for a lawyer, each day brings either victory or failure. Despite this, she stood strong and, from that day onward, overcame her fear, paving the way to fight for justice.
Courtroom Crusader: Abha Singh Transforming Society, “One PIL at a Time.”
Advocate Abha Singh’s legal advocacy, particularly through her strategic use of Public Interest Litigations (PILs), has brought significant reforms and heightened accountability across multiple sectors in India. Each of her landmark PILs addresses critical issues and exemplifies her ability to blend legal acumen with social activism, creating a far-reaching impact.
Manual Scavengers PIL
Manual Scavengers PIL in the Bombay High Court highlighted the plight of laborers who lost their lives while cleaning septic tanks and sewers. This case resulted in a landmark judgment directing the Maharashtra government to compensate the widows of these workers with 710 lakhs each. This PIL not only enforced the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers Act, 2013 but also demanded systemic accountability, ensuring the state could no longer outsource responsibility to contractors. This effort has set a precedent for legal interventions against caste-based labour injustices and bolstered campaigns for safer working conditions.
Fire Safety PIL
In response to a series of devastating fire incidents across Mumbai. The PIL exposed the lack of enforcement of existing fire safety norms and called for stricter oversight regarding No-Objection Certificates for buildings. The Bombay High Court’s favorable ruling urged the Maharashtra government to expedite the implementation of safety regulations drafted post-26/11 attacks, significantly improving pub safety standards across urban areas.
Disability Rights PIL
It focused on enforcing accessibility standards for public spaces under the Rights of persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. Her plea emphasized the lack of disabled-friendly infrastructure in hospitals Government offices, and commercial spaces, prompting the court to order stricter compliance. This PIL’s impact is visible in increased awareness about the importance of inclusive infrastructure and enhanced accountability from civic bodies in Maharashtra, such as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
POSH PIL
Filed by Advocate Abha Singh, along with a woman who had headed a POSH Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) for over two years, sought directions from the Bombay High Court to protect ICC members from undue pressure from superiors in workplaces. Singh argued that while the POSH Act grants ICCs quasi-judicial powers, it does not provide adequate safeguards for members who face pressure when making decisions against the management. The petition requested that ICC members be declared “public servants” with protection against arbitrary removal and a stability of tenure.
ADV. ABHA SINGH: VOICE OF OPPRESSED AND PROTECTOR OF DEFENSELESS
Her commitment to public awareness is evident from her TEDx Oxibridge talk, titled ‘Why Laws in Place Do Not Empower Women?” where she highlighted the gaps in legal protection. She was also invited by Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs in December 2018 as a speaker at the “India Dialogues.” She has given speeches on matters of national relevance at IIM Bangalore, ISB Hyderabad, and other law colleges. Her work with women prisoner’s rehabilitation underscores her holistic approach to justice-providing not only legal solutions but also a path to reintegration and dignity for marginalized individuals. In the AIB Roast case, she emphasizes the legal and societal boundaries around public decency, arguing that freedom of speech cannot be misused to hurt sentiments. Her advocacy in the caser highlighted the legal responsibility of public figures towards maintaining standards of public conduct.
She is a forceful legal professional and social activist known for her outspoken stance on gender equality and justice. Throughout her career, she has taken a firm position on various legal and societal issues, making an indelible impact. One of her most publicized efforts was her letter to the Governor of Maharashtra, opposing Justice Katju’s plea for the pardon of actor Sanjay Dutt. Singh criticized the undue influence involved in the request, pointing out the flaws in Katju’s reasoning, thus standing as a defender of the rule of law and fairness in high-profile cases. Additionally, Singh has been vocal in sexual harassment cases under the POSH Act (Prevention of Sexual Harassment Act, 2013). She raised a debate over whether victims who wish to disclose their identities publicly should be allowed to do so. Her legal expertise also ensured the stay on the demolition of the Puncham Pyao water fountain near Bombay Gymkhana. This fountain, which serves thousands of daily commuters, is now preserved thanks to her intervention. Singh has also shown courage in taking on powerful figures, exemplified by her role in the Salman Khan hit-and-run case, where she insisted on judicial transparency, ensuring that justice was not compromised by celebrity status. Her advocacy extends to protecting freedom of speech, evident in her fight against the illegal arrest of two girls from Palghar who were detained for their Facebook posts.
Singh’s efforts led to the suspension of the responsible police officers and the exoneration of the girls, setting a precedent for safeguarding free expression. She also challenged arbitrary restrictions on public protest by filing a PIL to allow loudspeakers during demonstrations, which resulted in a Bombay High Court ruling permitting their use in non-silence zones for raising public issues. Beyond the courtroom, Singh’s influence reaches marginalized communities. She offers free legal support to slum dwellers and oppressed women threatened with eviction by authorities or builders. She also walked a ramp walk for cancer awareness. Her philanthropic efforts extend to providing scholarships to deserving female students at T.D. Mahila Maha Vidyalaya in Jaunpur, thus fostering education and opportunity for young women.
Recognizing the importance of rehabilitation, Singh has worked with over 200 convicts in Uttar Pradesh prisons, helping them acquire vocational skills, and installed a sanitary napkin machine in a village to promote menstrual hygiene and reduce dropout rates among girls. Vidya Balan and Abha Singh co-hosted a radio show called Dhun badal ke toh dekho that provided legal aid to women.
RANNSAMAR NGO
Objective: Empowering Communities and Creating Change
Working Towards a Just and Transparent Society
Working: RannSamar Foundation is a dynamic NonGovernment Organisation (NGO) committed to driving social change and creating a fairer, more transparent society. With ongoing initiatives across Mumbai and Uttar Pradesh, the foundation works tirelessly to promote social justice, women’s empowerment, and transparency in public administration.
At the heart of RannSamar’s vision lies the belief that an informed and empowered community is the cornerstone of societal progress. The foundation’s mission is to ensure that people understand their rights and responsibilities, giving them the tools to create meaningful change in their own lives and communities. By raising public awareness and fostering a culture of active participation, RannSamar seeks to uplift marginalized voices, challenge inequality, and strengthen the fabric of democracy.
Through its diverse social impact programs, RannSamar is committed to empowering individuals, especially those who have been historically disadvantaged. By addressing issues of justice and equity, the organization helps create a more inclusive and transparent society— one where every individual has the opportunity to thrive. RannSamar Foundation believes that social transformation begins with awareness, and that small actions lead to big changes. Whether through community education, advocacy, or grassroots mobilization, the foundation is dedicated to playing a pivotal role in shaping a better future for all.
Advocacy and Social Work
As a social activist, Adv. Abha’s work goes beyond the courtroom. Her NGO, RannSamar, focuses on providing legal aid to those who cannot afford it, ensuring that justice is accessible to all. The foundation’s work in rural areas, particularly its efforts to construct toilets and improve sanitation, has had a significant impact on public health and women’s safety in underdeveloped regions.
Through her advocacy, Singh has become a vocal proponent of women’s empowerment, frequently addressing issues such as domestic violence, sexual harassment, and workplace inequality. Her ability to marry her legal expertise with her passion for social justice has made her an influential figure in India’s ongoing battle for gender equality.
Advice to Aspiring Lawyers and Social Activists
Adv. Abha’s advice to aspiring lawyers and social activists is simple but profound: “Never give up on your sense of justice, and always stand up for the truth, no matter how difficult the road.” She emphasizes the importance of integrity and persistence in the face of adversity, encouraging young professionals to stay committed to their principles even when the odds seem insurmountable.
She also believes that one must be well-educated and informed about the law in order to effect meaningful change. “Knowledge is power,” she often says, highlighting the importance of continuous learning and staying updated with legal developments. Singh encourages young people to get involved in social causes early in their careers and to use their skills to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves.
Continuing the Legacy: Advocate Aditya Pratap
Advocate Aditya Pratap is emerging as a significant figure in the legal field, continuing the impactful legacy of Abha Singh. With a solid educational foundation from NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, Aditya has built a reputable practice in Mumbai, focusing on various critical legal issues, including environmental law and real estate disputes. His recent work in representing a former IPS officer in a petition to the National Green Tribunal highlights his commitment to addressing pressing environmental concerns, particularly regarding the risks posed by deep basement constructions in Mumbai.
Advocate Aditya Pratap is emerging as a significant figure in the legal field, continuing the impactful legacy of Abha Singh. With a solid educational foundation from NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, Aditya has built a reputable practice in Mumbai, focusing on various critical legal issues, including environmental law and real estate disputes. His recent work in representing a former IPS officer in a petition to the National Green Tribunal highlights his commitment to addressing pressing environmental concerns, particularly regarding the risks posed by deep basement constructions in Mumbai. Aditya Pratap’s approach reflects a blend of rigorous legal analysis and a strong ethical commitment, akin to Abha Singh’s own principles. He has consistently advocated for thorough environmental assessments and legal compliance, pushing against lax regulations that could lead to detrimental consequences for urban ecosystems. By emphasizing the importance of legal frameworks in safeguarding environmental interests, Aditya not only honors Abha Singh’s legacy but also positions himself as a vital advocate for justice and sustainability in contemporary legal discourse. His evolving career is a testament to the enduring impact of Abha Singh’s mentorship and the values she instilled in her followers.
