Legal Advocacy
Ensaaf engages in strategic litigation to hold perpetrators accountable and set national precedents on human rights norms.
Updates
Khalra's killer schemes his way out of jail
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Notable Achievements
- Five Officers Convicted. Ensaaf provided key litigation support in the conviction of 5 officers for Jaswant Singh Khalra's abduction and murder.
- International Experts Engaged. Ensaaf partnered with the Nobel-prize winning organization Physicians for Human Rights on a torture and trauma study.
- Recognized as a Ground-breaking Organization. Ensaaf Co-Founders received the Echoing Green fellowship award in 2006.
Convictions Upheld in Khalra Murder Case
In November 2011, India’s Supreme Court upheld life imprisonment for five police officers convicted of the abduction and murder of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra. After 16 years of facing incredible obstacles, including the intimidation of witnesses, a prolonged trial, biased prosecutors, and jail-breaks by a convicted officer, this case represents a victory for human rights in India. Ensaaf provided litigation support throughout the Khalra case.
Murder of Human Rights Defender Jaswant Singh Khalra
Since 2005, Ensaaf has provided critical litigation support in the two cases regarding the murder of human rights defender Jaswant Singh Khalra: the criminal case against several police officers, and a petition calling on the government to prosecute former Punjab police chief KPS Gill for his role in the crimes. This latter case has the potential to set national precedent on superior responsibility. Ensaaf has also organized international advocacy concerning these cases.
Punjab Mass Cremations Case
Ensaaf has provided crucial litigation support and organized the first international interventions in the Punjab mass cremations case proceeding before India's National Human Rights Commission, in which security forces are implicated in thousands of killings and secret cremations throughout Punjab. This case will set national precedent on the redress of mass state crimes.