Lawyer Sonal Tiwary
Sonal Tiwary (lawyer)
Sonal Tiwary is a lawyer practising before the Jharkhand High Court, India. His legal prowess has been reported in national and international media in relation with public interest litigation, land acquisition, environment, food security and welfare schemes litigation.[1][2][3][4]Various petitioners have been represented by him in the matters of environmental governance and constitutional accountability in Jharkhand and he has been widely known for his social activities for marginalised communities of Jharkhand.
Early life and education
Tiwary earned his Bachelor of Arts in law from India before continuing his studies in the United Kingdom, where he graduated with a Master of Laws (LL.M.) from SOAS University of London as a Chevening Scholar.
Legal career
He has appeared as counsel in various cases inlcued matters of writ petitions and public interest litigation seeking judicial scrutiny of several state actions and constitutional obligations. His submissions and arguments have been quoted by national and international media outlets several times.
Notable litigation and reported work
Hunger deaths and food security
Tiwary has been involved in proceedings before the Jharkhand High Court concerning allegations of hunger and starvation deaths in the state. In these cases, he raised concerns regarding the absence of a clear legal definition of “hunger death” and highlighted gaps in the implementation of food security schemes. His submissions were reported by The Indian Express[5] and other news agencies [6], which noted his intervention before the High Court on the issue of starvation-related deaths and state accountability.
Land acquisition
Tiwary represented the villagers who are opposing the acquisition of agricultural and community land for a coal-based power project. His capacity as counsel for the petitioners was mentioned in IndiaSpend's investigation.[7] The report stated that he said the state government was misusing the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, for a private corporate benefit.
The Financial Times[8] published an international report that also quoted his submissions in related litigation. This article describes the human rights lawyer based in Ranchi. Further, it quotes him saying that the acquisition of land for the Godda power project is illegal, arbitrary and in violation of protections for tribal landholders.
Tiwary has fought battles in the courts for the requirement of clearances from environment and the forests regarding large dam and power projects in the state of Jharkhand. His efforts on these issues have been cited in investigative journalism on the environmental and social consequences of infrastructure projects on indigenous peoples and local livelihoods.[9][10]
Welfare measures during the COVID-19 pandemic
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Tiwary filed a public interest petition before the Jharkhand High Court for directions against providing basic necessities to transgender persons during the lockdown. As per legal news portal reports,[11] the proceedings resulted in directions to the state government to ensure access to food, shelter and welfare measures.
Ayushman Bharat health scheme
Mr. Tiwary has engaged as counsel in the write petition involving non implementation of Ayushman Bharat Health Insurance Scheme in Jharkhand and plated a crucial role in its implementation. The Hon’ble Jharkhand High Court order the state government to file detailed affidavits and inquire into the functioning of the listed hospitals and their reimbursement mechanism under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme.[12][13]
Publications and academic engagement
In 2022, Tiwary contributed to the India chapter of Civil Liability for Human Rights Violations, a practitioner handbook published by the Bonavero Institute of Human Rights at the University of Oxford[14]. The publication analyses civil remedies for human rights violations under Indian law.
He has also participated in academic and training programmes related to public interest litigation and environmental law, including workshops organised by law schools and legal clinics.
Professional focus
Mr. Tiwary has worked in different areas from PILs to constitutional law and criminal matters. His main includes justice for marginalised, environment protections, land rights and social welfare. His has shown exceptional prowess and involvement in the access to justice system.
References
- ↑ "Define hunger death, actual number of such cases: Jharkhand High Court to govt". The Indian Express. 2022-11-14. Retrieved 2026-03-01.
- ↑ Dastidar, Riddhi (2021-10-27). "In Jharkhand, Scheduled Tribes Still Battle Flimsy Criminal Cases Filed With Little Evidence". www.indiaspend.com. Retrieved 2026-03-01.
- ↑ Choudhury, Chitrangada (2019-02-12). "Adivasi, Dalit Villagers File Suit In Jharkhand High Court Against Land Acquisition For Adani Power Plant". www.indiaspend.com. Retrieved 2026-03-01.
- ↑ "Client Challenge". www.ft.com. Retrieved 2026-03-01.
- ↑ "Define hunger death, actual number of such cases: Jharkhand High Court to govt". The Indian Express. 2022-11-14. Retrieved 2026-03-01.
- ↑ ""Define hunger death," Jharkhand High Court to govt | Headlines". Devdiscourse. Retrieved 2026-03-01.
- ↑ Choudhury, Chitrangada (2019-02-12). "Adivasi, Dalit Villagers File Suit In Jharkhand High Court Against Land Acquisition For Adani Power Plant". www.indiaspend.com. Retrieved 2026-03-01.
- ↑ Findlay, Stephanie; Lockett, Hudson (2020-11-13). "'Modi's Rockefeller': Gautam Adani and the concentration of power in India". Financial Times. Retrieved 2026-03-01.
- ↑ Choudhury, Chitrangada (2019-02-12). "Adivasi, Dalit Villagers File Suit In Jharkhand High Court Against Land Acquisition For Adani Power Plant". www.indiaspend.com. Retrieved 2026-03-01.
- ↑ "How Jharkhand's Mandal dam could destroy the environment, livelihoods, and 3.4 lakh trees". caravanmagazine.in. Retrieved 2026-03-01.
- ↑ Talwar, Sanya (2020-04-19). "COVID19: Jharkhand HC Directs State Govt. To Ensure Basic Neccesities For Transgenders During Lockdown, Seeks Reply On Other Welfare Measures". www.livelaw.in. Retrieved 2026-03-01.
- ↑ Singh, Bhavya (2024-03-17). "Jharkhand High Court Directs State to Submit Comprehensive Affidavit on Ayushman Scheme Implementation in State Hospitals". www.livelaw.in. Retrieved 2026-03-01.
- ↑ Ridhi (2024-03-18). "Jharkhand High Court seeks State's reply after inquiry on implementation of Ayushman Scheme across State hospitals". SCC Times. Retrieved 2026-03-01.
- ↑ Tiwary, Sonal (https://www.law.ox.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2022-10/13._civil_liabilities_for_human_rights_violations_india.pdf). "Civil Liability for Human Rights Violations" (PDF). University of Oxford – Bonavero Institute of Human Rights: 40. Check date values in:
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