Senior Advocate Indira Jaising, a prominent figure in Indian jurisprudence, has often been at the center of significant legal and political debates. From her stances on constitutional principles to her comments on high-profile cases and her NGO’s legal troubles, her career has been marked by both acclaim and contention.
This report compiles 12 such controversial episodes between 2016 and 2025, highlighting the polarizing nature of her public interventions and the consistent backlash they have triggered from various quarters, including the government, legal bodies, and political commentators.
#1 Call to Lower the Age of Consent Sparks Backlash – July 2025
Senior Advocate Indira Jaising urged the Supreme Court to lower the age of sexual consent from 18 to 16 years, arguing that criminalizing consensual teenage relationships under POCSO drives them underground. She advocated for a “close-in-age” exception, linking sexual autonomy to constitutional rights. This position triggered widespread criticism from child rights activists and others who contended that such a move would dangerously expose minors to exploitation and coercion, undermining the protective intent of the POCSO Act in a society where manipulation of young girls remains a serious concern.
#2 Remarks on CJI After PM’s Ganesh Puja Visit – September 2024
Indira Jaising sparked a controversy after the Prime Minister attended a Ganesh Puja at the residence of Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud. Taking to social media platform X, she stated that the CJI had “compromised the separation of powers” between the executive and judiciary, adding that she had “lost all confidence” in his independence.
Her remarks were criticized by many in the legal fraternity who saw the visit as a customary cultural event and accused Jaising of unnecessarily politicizing and undermining the judiciary’s integrity.
#3 If Ram is the Idea of Bharat, Then You Don’t Need Judiciary – May 2024
At a legal conference, Indira Jaising reacted to a statement that “Ram is the idea of Bharat” by asserting that for her, the Constitution is the idea of India. She further stated, “If Ram is the idea of Bharat, then you don’t need a judiciary; you can go back to the days of divine justice.” This comment was perceived by critics as a dismissive take on cultural faith and its coexistence with constitutional governance, leading to accusations of her belittling a majoritarian spiritual sentiment.
#4 Argument on CAA and Voting Rights in Supreme Court – March 2024
During a Supreme Court hearing on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Indira Jaising argued that the law would affect Indian minorities. She contended that granting citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim migrants from neighboring countries was a concern because “they will get voting rights… that is how it will affect them [minorities].” This argument was widely circulated and critiqued, with opponents alleging it framed the grant of citizenship to persecuted communities as a majoritarian threat rather than a humanitarian act.
#5 Defence of Jamia Students, Downplays Violence – August 2020
Representing students in the Delhi High Court concerning police action during anti-CAA protests at Jamia Millia Islamia, Indira Jaising sought an inquiry into “police brutality.” She argued that the police used excessive force, stating that “stones and bottles are not firearms” and were not a justification for the deployment of riot control equipment.
Critics accused her of downplaying the violence directed at police and justifying mob aggression under the guise of legal defense.
#6 Urges Nirbhaya’s Mother to Forgive Convicts – January 2020
In a tweet that provoked national outrage, Indira Jaising urged Asha Devi, the mother of the 2012 Nirbhaya gang-rape and murder victim, to forgive the convicts and oppose the death penalty. Citing Sonia Gandhi’s forgiveness of her husband Rajiv Gandhi’s assassin, Jaising stated, “We are with you but against the death penalty.”
The comment was widely condemned as insensitive and presumptuous, for imposing an activist’s ideological stance on a grieving mother seeking closure through the judicial process.
#7 CBI Raids on Home and NGO Over FCRA Violations – July 2019
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducted raids at the residences and offices of Indira Jaising and her husband Anand Grover, founders of the NGO Lawyers Collective. The action was based on a complaint from the Ministry of Home Affairs alleging violations of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), citing the misuse of foreign contributions exceeding ₹32 crore between 2006 and 2015. The ministry also alleged that Jaising received remuneration from foreign funds while serving as Additional Solicitor General, without due permission.
#8 Bar Council Slams ‘Derogatory’ Tweet on SC Judges – April 2018
The Bar Council of India (BCI) condemned Indira Jaising for a tweet posted on 23 March 2018, in which she stated, “Two upper caste judges… have turned the SC & ST Act from protecting SC/ST to protecting Brahmins.”
The BCI demanded she withdraw the “derogatory” remarks, which they said questioned the judiciary’s integrity. Jaising defended her comment as highlighting the lack of SC/ST representation in the Supreme Court, but refused to delete the tweet, sustaining the controversy.
#9 Legal Fees from Banned Outfit PFI in Hadiya Case – March 2018
Investigations revealed that the banned organization Popular Front of India (PFI) spent nearly ₹1 crore on legal expenses for the ‘Hadiya case’ in the Supreme Court. Out of this, approximately ₹93 lakh was paid to four senior lawyers, including Indira Jaising, who represented Shafin Jahan, the husband of the woman at the center of the case. The disclosure linked Jaising to payments from an organization later outlawed for alleged terror activities, drawing significant criticism and raising questions about the funding sources for legal advocacy.
#10 Support for Rohingya Refugees and UN Appointment – March 2018
Indira Jaising voiced strong support for Rohingya refugees in India, tweeting, “Let India wake up and protect the Rohingya refugees.”
This stance aligned with her earlier appointment in May 2017 by the United Nations to chair a fact-finding mission to investigate alleged atrocities by Myanmar security forces against the Rohingya community. While lauded by human rights groups, her position was contentious in India, where the government has expressed security concerns regarding illegal immigration.
#11 NGO’s FCRA Licence Permanently Cancelled – December 2016
The Union government permanently cancelled the FCRA licence of the Lawyers’ Collective, the NGO run by Indira Jaising and her husband Anand Grover. The Home Ministry cited violations, including the use of foreign funds for activities with “political overtones” such as rallies and dharnas. A key allegation was that Jaising received foreign contributions as remuneration while serving as Additional Solicitor General (2009-2014), which was a violation of service rules as the post is a government office.
#12 NGO Linked to George Soros Funding – June 2016
Intelligence reports indicated that Indira Jaising’s NGO, Lawyers Collective, was among the recipients of funds from American donors, including the George Soros-linked Open Society Foundations, which were placed on a government ‘watchlist’. These donors were reportedly funding unregistered Indian NGOs and were described in reports as “controversial” and known for promoting “regime change.” This association placed Jaising’s organization under heightened scrutiny for its sources of foreign funding and the nature of its activities.
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