The work of the Clinic is led by a multidisciplinary team of researchers, lawyer, and practitioners working across different areas of the criminal justice system

Anup leads The Clinic and teaches Criminal Law and Constitutional Law at NALSAR. He has over a decade of experience in criminal justice, having founded and built Project 39A between 2013-25. He graduated from NALSAR (2006) and was at the University of Oxford (2007-13) for the BCL and the D.Phil in Law.

Shreya leads the organisation's work on pro bono criminal defence and forensics. She was a founding member and Director at Project 39A, NLU Delhi. She holds a law degree from NLU Delhi and a LLM from NYU School of Law.

Maitreyi pursues an interdisciplinary exploration of the criminal justice system, with a focus on mental health and the death penalty. She holds a law degree from Symbiosis Law School Pune and an LL.M from NYU Law School.

Neetika leads The Clinic's research initiatives and is currently pursuing a DPhil in Criminology at the University of Oxford. She brings over a decade of experience in criminal justice, with postgraduate degrees from Harvard Law School and TISS, Mumbai.

Shruthi prepares mitigating investigation reports for prisoners on death row of sentencing hearings. She has over nine years of experience and has previously worked with UNESCO & KPMG's government consultancy wing. She holds a Master in Social Anthropology from SOAS.

Medha leads the Fair Trial Programme, working at the intersection of legal aid and criminal defence in trial courts. She brings more than eighteen years of experience working within criminal justice institutions. She holds an LL.M from TISS, Mumbai.

Maria advances The Clinic's forensic research initiatives and supports the litigation team with strategic insights. She was part of the writing, research, and analysis team for the Forensic Science India Report (2023). She holds an MSc in Forensic Science from the University of Strathclyde, Scotland.

Devika's work is focused on narrating life histories of persons facing capital punishment. She has previously worked across mental health related spaces including juvenile justice, suicide prevention and writing. She holds a postgraduate degree in Psychology from Indian Institute of Psychology and Research, Bangalore.

Komal documents and analyses the personal histories of individuals facing death row through detailed mitigation reports. She previously worked with Manas Foundation, providing counselling for children in conflict with the law. She holds a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Delhi.

Simran analyses the socio-political histories of prisoners on death row to develop sentencing reports. They have previously engaged as a community field worker and researcher across carceral institutions, welfare governance, gender violence, and public health. They have a postgraduate degree in Social Work (Criminology and Justice) from TISS Mumbai

Moulika specialises in criminal defence litigation with a focus on navigating the complexities of capital punishment appeals. She holds a B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) from National Law University Odisha and an LL.M. from Georgetown University Law Center.

Madhunika represents prisoners on death row practising a rights-based approach and a principled commitment to criminal defence and access to justice. She holds an LL.M from UC Berkeley School of Law.

Niharika works as a litigator on death penalty defence across trial and appellate courts. She brings analytical rigour and a deep commitment to constitutional rights to her practice. She holds a B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) from Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University, Lucknow.

Nadia works as a litigator on capital defence cases at the trial and appellate stages, advocating for the rights of persons facing the death penalty. She holds a B.A. LL.B (Hons.) from National Law University Delhi.

Rahimunisa coordinates the creative initiatives for The Clinic's Art in Prison programme in Chennai's Puzhal Prison. She also runs a creative studio called the Thin Black Brush. She holds a postgraduate degree in Commerce from Madras Christian College.

Saniya employs a sociological lens to interrogate the principles and assumptions underlying criminal law through academic writing and pedagogical projects. She has previously worked with Mariwala Health Initiative. She holds a Masters in Sociology from Delhi School of Economics.

Ankita brings an interdisciplinary and rights-based lens to criminal justice reform, with a focus on the death penalty and wrongful conviction. She holds a B.A., LL.B (Hons.) degree from WBNUJS, Kolkata and an LLM in International Children's Rights from Leiden University.

Aparna engages with issues at the intersection of criminal justice and human rights in India through research, with a focus on criminalisation, poverty, and inequality. She holds a B.A.,LL.B (Hons.) from Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai.

Sanat's research interests lie in sentencing and the nuances of criminalisation and punishment. He holds a LL.B from Jindal Global Law School and an LL.M from the University of Cambridge.

Nihira supports The Clinic's storytelling work on various social media platforms. She comes with over five years of experience in building communications strategies for non-profits and research institutions. She holds a postgraduate degree in Media Studies from The New School University.

Mahreen focuses on finding creative ways to bring criminal justice discourse into the mainstream. She previously worked at Harkat Studios as a Junior Producer and holds a postgraduate degree in Mass Communication from AJK MCRC, Jamia Millia Islamia.

Fizza is interested in understanding and documenting systematic erasure. She is a Young India Fellow (Ashoka University) and holds a BA in Psychology, Literature, and Political Science (Osmania University). She has worked with Mariwala Health Initiative and UN Women India.

Saras supports the Communications Team with her experience in filmmaking, journalism and research. Interested in making sense of socio-political realities and their larger contexts through various multi-media formats, she has previously worked with Institute of Social Studies Trust and has completed her MA in Media and Culture from TISS, Mumbai.

Vanshika brings her experience in research and social impact communications to her role at the Clinic. She holds a master’s degree in History from AUD and is interested in the histories of marginality, resistance, and the state in modern India.

Pramod engages with the criminal justice system as a social worker ensuring that undertrial prisoners receive both legal aid and mental health support. He holds a Master's in Social Work specialising in Medical Psychiatric Social Work from Nagpur University.

Ram is a social worker dedicated to supporting undertrial prisoners in accessing legal aid and navigating the criminal justice system. Previously, he has worked with children in need of care and protection, as well as victims of crime. He holds a Master's in Social Work, specialising in Criminology and Justice from TISS Mumbai.

Riolia works at the intersection of law and social work, strengthening access to justice for undertrial prisoners. She was awarded the German Chancellor Fellowship in 2024, through which she pursued research on prison social work in Germany. She holds a postgraduate degree in Social Work (Criminology and Justice) from TISS Mumbai.

Shahbaaz provides holistic legal representation to undertrials in Yerwada Prison, Pune. He previously practiced criminal and civil law at the District and Sessions Court, Ahmednagar. He holds a B.A. LL.B degree from Savitribai Phule Pune University.

Ali practices criminal law with a focus on constitutional rights of undertrials prisoners. He previously represented clients across criminal and family law jurisdictions while engaging in grassroots social justice work. He holds a B.A., LL.B degree from RTM Nagpur University.

Shivkumar contributes to providing legal aid and increasing access to justice for undertrial prisoners, coordinating with legal teams, authorities, and criminal justice stakeholders. He has thirteen years of experience as a criminal lawyer. He completed his LL.M from RTM Nagpur University.

Shubham Shukla is a legal practitioner specialising in criminal law, handling litigation and advisory matters for The Clinic's access to justice work. He previously worked on diverse litigation matters at AVB Associates. He holds a postgraduate degree in Law from Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj Nagpur University.

Rohan works towards increasing the quality of legal representation of undertrial prisoners. He has previously worked with TISS (Prayas) and Aajeevika Bureau, contributing to access to justice initiatives. He holds an LL.M. from TISS Mumbai.

Amar practises criminal law with a focus on the representation of undertrial prisoners, handling bail and trial proceedings before courts. He has more than eight years of litigation experience. He holds an LL.M. from Shivaji University, Kolhapur.

Anjali engages with the programme data at the Fair Trial Programme, building MIS systems and generating insights to strengthen criminal justice interventions. She previously worked as a Data Management and Research Assistant at Bapu Trust, Pune. She holds a postgraduate degree in Social Work and Sociology.

Ashok represents undertrial prisoners and cooridnates the communication between DLSA, Pune and the Fair Trial Programme. He brings over 9 years of experience in criminal trials and legal aid work. He holds an LL.M. from Shivaji University, Kolhapur.

Ashok works within the criminal justice system, supporting undertrial prisoners employing an interdisciplinary lens. He brings over 12 years of experience of social work. He holds a Masters in Social Work from the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University.

Monica leads the strategising, implementation, and review of the Fair Trial Programme's work, drawing on her experience as a litigator, educator, and researcher in criminal law. She holds a PhD from TISS, where her research examined the impact of the Constitution on ordinary criminal law.

Navnath supports undertrial prisoners in their legal aid matters and criminal court representation. He previously practised criminal and civil law at the District and Sessions Court, Pune. He holds a postgraduate degree in Law from Symbiosis Law School, Pune

Nisha supports undertrial prisoners bringing dedicated advocacy to their representation in criminal courts. She previously practised as a criminal advocate in Pune and at the District Court. She holds a law degree from New Law Academy College, Pune University.

Pravin works at the intersection of social work and the legal system, supporting access to justice of undertrial prisoners. He aims to build a more humane and inclusive criminal justice system. He has been with the Fair Trial Programme since early 2020. He holds a Master's degree in Social Work from Karve Institute.

Sumit handles legal aid cases for undertrial prisoners, bringing over fourteen years of experience to his work. He holds an LL.B., a Postgraduate Diploma in Human Rights, and ADR certification from Shivaji University, along with an LL.M. from Bharati Vidyapeeth, Pune.

Pratik works at the intersection of mental health and the criminal justice system, contributing to defence for undertrial prisoners through psychosocial assessments and access to care in community based settings,. He holds an M.Phil. in Psychiatric Social Work.