Advocacy for Justice & Accountability

We engage in strategic litigation to hold perpetrators accountable and set precedent on human rights norms within India. We share evidence of India’s atrocities with global policy makers and international justice mechanisms. We partner with the foremost global rights groups and India’s preeminent advocates to pursue accountability.

Landmark Legal Victories for Human Rights in Punjab

Following the murder of human rights defender Jaswant Singh Khalra, our intervention secured multiple convictions for the responsible police officials. We further played a crucial role in the Punjab Secret Mass Cremations Case, establishing legal precedent guaranteeing rehabilitation services for families traumatized by torture. In addition, our investigative findings were instrumental in prompting the United Nations to confront India over the enforced disappearance of human rights defender Sukhwinder Singh Bhatti.

Officials Imprisoned for Life

~$10m

Compensation Won for Families

77%

Success in Legal Interventions

Advocacy

Explore our educational articles to understand human rights issues in depth.

Kulvir Singh Barapind

Adopted in December 1984, the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT), prohibits nations from extraditing individuals who are more likely than not to be tortured upon return. Ensaaf pursued the commitments promised in the Convention on behalf of Kulvir Singh Barapind.

The Murder of Human Rights Defender Jaswant Singh Khalra

In 2007, the Punjab & Haryana High Court upheld five convictions, enhancing all sentences to life imprisonment.

Bhalla Commission & Subsequent Subcommittee

Ensaaf provided litigation support, attended hearings, and investigated and documented disappearances and extrajudicial executions in Punjab for the petitioners before the Bhalla Commission, new subcommittee, and NHRC.