The Mumbai Unit of HRLN, also known as the India Center for Human Rights and Law, established in 1997 is one of the oldest units of the HRLN network. The work done by this unit is the Criminal Justice Initiative (CJI) and is now recognized as a pioneer in providing legal aid to prison inmates. The CJI has also played a key role in training activists and lawyers in Gujarat to pay a critical role post–Gujarat communal violence. The Mumbai unit is also involved in the campaign for the implementation of the Sri Krishna Commission post the Mumbai communal riots of 1996. Due to the close collaboration with the labour unions in the state, the Mumbai unit has achieved several landmark judgment that championed the cause of labour rights, against contractualisation of the workforce and protecting the rights of salt pan workers being the most significant order.

1. Women’s Justice: The focus area includes matters pertaining to sexual harassment of women, reproductive rights, and obtaining adequate care and compensation for acid attack survivors

2. Environmental Justice: Displacement and livelihood issues arising from environmental destruction, particularly its impact on marginalised communities.

3. Criminal Justice: Providing legal aid to prisoners and juveniles. The unit also takes up issues pertaining to illegal detention of refugees and trafficking victims in trial courts as well as in the Bombay High Court.

4. Labour Rights: We take up issues pertaining to discrimination, illegal closures and illegal termination of workers.

5. Housing and Land Rights: Matters pertaining to forced evictions and illegal demolitions

6. Health Rights: Issues pertaining to lack of access to medication, medical negligence, right to choose, access to pre and post-natal services particularly to women from marginalised communities.

7. Disability Rights: Accessibility for persons with disabilities in the built environment, discrimination in employment and housing rights for persons with disabilities.

HRLN chapter of Nagpur, established in 2012, focuses primarily on issues pertaining to nomadic and denotified tribes, Dalits and Tribals. It has been central force in bringing many NTDNT organizations to come to terms and work under one of their umbrella organizations so as to bring unanimity in the struggle for justice, exchange of information, and intellectual partnership. The unit has addressed cases of police excess, torture, atrocities and inactions. It has been instrumental in fighting cases for incarcerated innocents from lower strata of society, at various forums and at various stages.

Main Concerns

The Nagpur unit has established partnerships with tribal organizations, activists, labour movement, political activists, environmental protection organization. It voices the grievances of people in the administrative tribunals, criminal and civil courts. It has been taking up larger public issues to the higher courts. Unit has taken up several labour matters, criminal matters, public interest litigation, writ petitions and litigated successfully. It is recognized by numerous activists and authorities alike, across the State for its dedicated work towards NTDNTS, Dalits, Tribals, health institutions & its quality access, anti trafficking cases, movement based advocacy and campaigning around various issues of civil and political rights.