We write this to express our extreme dismay, and disappointment on the audacious raids carried out by the CBI on 11 July 2019 at the Delhi and Mumbai offices and residences of Anand Grover and Indira Jaising. We see this as yet another attempt at trying to muzzle civil society voices in India. We see this as an assault on democracy and democratic values.

As has been stated by the Lawyers Collective in their public statement, the CBI’s actions are illegal, mala fide and a blatant abuse of law.

Rather than through high-handed raids, the evidence of the selfless and relentless work of the Lawyers Collective can be found in the lives of lakhs of people who have benefited from their legal advice and support. Their doors have always been open for the weakest and the most marginalised, those who had nowhere else to go, to those who were shunned and silenced and to those who needed refuge and hope in the judicial process.

The HIV response in India stands out for its excellence in no small measure due to the selfless contributions of all at the Lawyers Collective. Each of undersigned are witness to the enormous contributions of the Lawyers Collective since the mid-1990’s, standing shoulder to shoulder with the most marginalized among us when no one else would care.

Each of us have benefited, individually and collectively, from the impact of the work done by Lawyers Collective – the process of justice and its hard won fruits have reinstated our faith in the Indian Judiciary and the Constitution of India.

If the whole world acknowledges the strides India has made in articulating the law on HIV/AIDS (2017) it is because the Lawyers Collective found the resources and invested its expertise and its heart in trying to protect the rights of people living with HIV.

If women in India today can walk into a police station and seek protection under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, it is because the Lawyers Collective rose to marshal every legal instrument to draft and monitor the implementation of this law.

The legal battle against section 377, IPC that criminalised same-sex relations as well as the recognition of transgender identity and rights was started by the Lawyers Collective at a time when no one wanted to talk about the issue, when neither courts nor lawyers had the resources to understand and battle the nuances of discrimination against sexual minorities.

Lawyers Collective took on unpopular and challenging issues affecting marginalised groups, more recently, in drafting changes to ensure access to harm reduction services and essential narcotic drugs under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic (Amendment) Act, 2014

Every patient today who avails of life saving drugs has Lawyers Collective to thank for securing affordable medicines by preserving public health safeguards under section 3(d) the Patents Act, 1970.

We are deeply concerned that by targeting Lawyers Collective and its founding trustees – Ms. Indira Jaising and Mr. Anand Grover, a chilling message is being sent to civil society to toe the line and curb dissent.

We stand with the Lawyers Collective, Ms. Indira Jaising and Mr Anand Grover and urge them to stay undeterred and continue to respond based on their Constitutionally guaranteed fundamental rights.

We demand an immediate stop to this deliberate and illegal harassment of Lawyer’s Collective. Civil Society stands firmly in their support and will take all necessary action to resist and challenge this arbitrary action by the Government of India.

ENDORSED BY

1. A.Jayavathana , Hiv ullor nala sangam, Nagapattinam
2. Aaron Sunday, African Network of Adolescents and Young Persons Development, Abuja, Nigeria
3. Aarti, Triveni Samaj Vikas Kendra, MUMBAI (SUBURBS)
4. ABHIJIT GHOSH, KOMAL GANDHAR, KOLKATA
5. Abhijit Kumar Das, Mito Trust, Baripada
6. Abou Mere, NNagaDAO, Kohima Nagaland
7. Akash Panigrahi, Mito Trust, Baripada
8. Altaf Shaikh, Triveni Samaj Vikas Kendra, MUMBAI (SUBURBS)
9. Ambika savitry, Bangalore
10. Amit Kumar, Social Worker, NEW DELHI
11. Amita, New delhi
12. Amrita, Chennai
13. Anand chandrani, Sarathi Trust, Nagpur
14. Anandi Yuvaraj, COIMBATORE
15. Anita David, Indian Drug Users Forum, Delhi
16. Anita Rego, Pearlss 4 Development, Hyderabad
17. Anjali Gopalan, The Naz Foundation (India)Trust, New Delhi
18. Ankur Patil, foramfoundation, Vadodara
19. Annamma George, Chennai
20. Anu Aaron, SIAAP, CHENNAI
21. Anushree Mishra, Gurgaon
22. Archana, Raipur
23. Aryika Dadhwal, Delhi
24. Asha Patel, NMP+, Mahesana
25. Ashish Kumar, Advocate, Delhi
26. Ashok Rau, Freedom Foundation, Begaluru
27. Ashok Row Kavi, Humsafar Trust, Mumbai
28. Ashok Swain, Uppsala University, Uppsala
29. Asim Mura, Amlasole Birsha Munda Gram Unnyan Samiti, West Bengal
30. Baby Naskar, Durbar Disha, Kolkata
31. Bharat Bhushan , New Delhi
32. BHARATI DEY, DURBAR MAHILA SAMANWAYA COMMITTEE, KOLKATA
33. Bharti Ali, HAQ: Centre for Child Rights, New Delhi
34. Biswajit Majumder, Social Worker, South Kolkata
35. Bka, MDUF, Aizawl
36. Blessina Kumar, New Delhi
37. BOTHUMANI, VADAMALAR PENNGAL SANGAM, TAMIL NADU
38. Caro, Socios en Salud, Peru
39. Carolina Moran, Socios en Salud Sucursal, Peru
40. Champa, Durgapur Durbar Samiti, Durgarpur
41. Chandana Khan, Triveni Samaj Vikas Kendra, MUMBAI (SUBURBS)
42. Chandni Shaikh, Triveni Samaj Vikas Kendra, Mumbai
43. Chaya Das, Domjur Durbar Samiti, Kolkata
44. Chayanika Shah, LABIA – A Queer Feminist LBT Collective, Mumbai
45. Chirag Soni, Foram Foundation, Vadodara
46. Chitra, siaap, chennai
47. D Daisy, Tamil Nadu networking for people living with HIV/ AIDS, Chennai
48. Daxa Patel, NCPI+, Delhi
49. Deebjot Singh Sahney, Kripa Foundation, Guwahati
50. Deep Soni, Foram Foundation, Vadodara
51. Devi, Pwn+, Chennai
52. Devi, Triveni Samaj Vkas Kendra, Mumbai (Suburbs)
53. Dipika Patel, Sakhi Jyot Sangathan, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
54. Dr. Smarajit Jana, Kolkata
55. Dr. Kimberly Walters, California State University, Long Beach
56. Dr. S. Sundararaman, Chennai
57. Dr. Stellah Bosire, Nairobi, Kenya
58. Dr. Tokugha Yepthomi, Medical consultant infectious Diseases, Dimapur Nagaland
59. Eldred Tellis, Sankalp Foundation, Mumbai
60. Francis Joseph, ANPUD Bangkok, Thailand
61. Ganesh Acharya, TB survivor and HIV positive Mumbai
62. Gautam Yadav, New Delhi, India
63. GEETA, Vadamalar Penngal Sangam, Tamil Nadu
64. Geeta Dutta, Sakhi Sangathan, Odisha
65. Geetanjali Amalrani, Namakal Mavata Sabaermathi Pengal Mampatu Sangam, Tamil Nadu
66. Gita Devi, Purulia Nachni Unnyan Samiti, Purulia, West Bengal
67. Gita Dey, Society for Human Development for Social Action, Kolkata
68. Global TB Community Advisory Board (TB CAB)
69. Gowtham, Chennai
70. Gunasekar, Chennai
71. Hajra Arif, Sahyog Mahila Mandal, Surat
72. Heather Ferreira, Mumbai
73. HepCoN, Kohima
74. Indian Drug users’ Forum, Kohima
75. Imti, Dimapur
76. Jagdish Patel, RDNP+, Rajkot
77. Jamshir Bagwadia, Sankalp Rehabilitation Trust, Mumbai
78. JAYA, Vadamalar Penngal Sangam, Tamil Nadu
79. Jérôme Martin, Saint-Denis, France
80. Jigna Patel, JDNP+, Amreli
81. Jimmy LMS Tluanga, MDUF, Aizawl
82. Jitendra Ramprakash, Delhi
83. Jonathan Stillo, Detroit, MI USA
84. Jonisha Scohd society, Pondicherry
85. Jyoti Raut, Parivartan Foundation, Ahmedabad
86. Jyotsana, Jamnagar Network, Jamnagar
87. Jyotsna Rai, Seoraphuli Durbar Samiti, Kolkata
88. K Savitha, Namakkal, Tamil Nadu
89. K. Sheethal, Scohd Society, Pondicherry
90. KAJAL BOSE, DURBAR MAHILA SAMANWAYA COMMITTEE, KOLKATA
91. Kalpanaben Gayakwad, Ekta Sangathan, Vadodara
92. Kamlesh Umaji Kasbale, Mumbai AIDS Forum, Mumbai
93. Kanchana, Triveni Samaj Vikas Kendra, Mumbai (Suburbs)
94. Kartik Gore, Foram Foundation, Vadodara
95. Kashibai Jadhav, Kranti Mahila Sangh, Solapur
96. Kaukab, Mumbai
97. Kavita Mangnani, HAQ: Centre for Child Rights, Delhi
98. Ketho, HepCoN, Kohima
99. Ketho Angami, ARK Foundation, Kohima
100. Khairunisa Suleiman, Geneva
101. Khusboo, Triveni Samaj Vikas Kendra, MUMBAI (SUBURBS)
102. KK Abraham, INP +, Chennai
103. Kohima users network
104. KOKILA, VADAMALAR PENNGAL SANGAM, TAMIL NADU
105. Krishna Gurramkonda, Suraksha Society, Hyderabad
106. Kumar Shailabh, Delhi
107. Kundan Tailor, Foram Foundation, Vadodara
108. Kusum, All India Network of Sex Workers, NEW DELHI
109. L Ramakrishnan, Chennai
110. Lalduhawma Chawngthu, Mizoram Drug Users Forum, Aizawl
111. Lata Kapse, DMBS, Nasik
112. Limhathung Ezung, IDUF, Dimapur
113. Lindsay McKenna, Treatment Action Group, New York, United States
114. Liyi, Advocate, Delhi
115. Lokesh Mura, Birsha Munnda Gram Unnyan Committee, West Bengal
116. Loon Gangte, Delhi Network of Positive People, Delhi
117. M Annakili, Women Right Activists, Tamilnadu
118. Madhu Sharma, New Delhi
119. Madhurima Sen bose, New Delhi
120. Mahasweta Mukherjee, Women Right Activist, Howrah
121. Maksoom Ali, Pahal Foundation, Faridabad
122. Mamta, Triveni Samaj Vikas Kendra, MUMBAI (SUBURBS)
123. Manas, Thane
124. Manjula R, Ashodaya Samithi, Mysore
125. MANOJ PARDESHI, National Coalition of PLHIV in India, DELHI
126. Mansi Tripathi, Aarju Foundation, Mumbai
127. Maya Ghosh, Kalna Durbar Samiti
128. MEENA, VADAMALAR PENNGAL SAGAM TAMIL NADU
129. Meenakshi, covai district hiv ullore nala sangam coimbatore
130. MEERA RAGHAVENDRA, WINS, TIRUPATI
131. Meera Sanghamitra, National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM) Hyderabad
132. Meghna , Triveni Samaj Vikas Kendra, MUMBAI (SUBURBS)
133. Mike Frick, Treatment Action Group, New York
134. Minatti Dey, Binodini Sramik Union, Kolkata
135. Miss. Nini Pakma, Meghalaya Drugs Users Network, jaintia hills district
136. Mona Mishra, Delhi
137. Morgane Ahmar, CASABLANCA
138. Moses Zofaka Pachuau, Mizoram HCV Response Team, Aizawl
139. Mr jagnesh Patel, NDNP+ Navasari
140. Nadiya Uvtukuri, Triveni Samaj Vikas Kendra, MUMBAI (SUBURBS)
141. Nagaraju valaparla, South India drug users forum, Vijayawada Andhra Pradesh
142. Najma, Triveni Samaj Vikas Kendra, MUMBAI (SUBURBS)
143. Nandini Thapa, Delhi
144. Nani, Chennai 34 Nugambakkam
145. Naresh Soni, BanasNP+ Banasakantha, Palanpur
146. Neeta Kavaiya, BNP+, Bhavnagar
147. Neetu Kumar, Parivartan Trust CBO, New Delhi
148. Nisha Chouhan, Saksham Mahila Samiti, Jaipur
149. Nisha Gulur, Sankalp livelihood society, Kolar
150. Nitin Patel, foram Foundation, Vadodara
151. Nukshinaro, Nagaland Users Network, Dimapur
152. Nyangpong Yin, Mon User’s Network, Mon
153. Om Gujjar, Foram Foundation, Vadodara
154. Othoman Mellouk, International Treatment Preparedness Coalition, Marrakech
155. P Pushpalata, ERODE MAVATTA PENGAL SUYASAKTHI SANGAM, Erode, Tamilnadu
156. P. DEVI, Me and my world, Guntur
157. P.SIVA, Vidhunagar District HIV Ullor Nala Sangam, Virudhunagar
158. Padma, Asansole Durbar Samiti, Asansole
159. Pallav Patankar, Mumbai
160. Pardeep Kumar, IDUF, Hoshiarpur
161. Paresh Patel, VDNP+, Valsad
162. Partha Sen, Kolkata
163. Pepe, Nagaland Users’ Network, Kohima
164. Pintu Maity, South Kolkata
165. Prabha Kotiswaran, Bangalore
166. Prabha Mahesh, Touched by TB, Delhi
167. Prashant Sharma, Sikkim Drug Users’ Forum, Gangtok
168. Pratima Kumari, Mrignayani Seva Sansthan, Ranchi
169. Prem, Manmilan Bahu Udesiya Samajik Sanstha, Nasik
170. Protim Ray, Sonagachi Research and Training Institute, Kolkata
171. Pushpa Sindoor, Ananthpur, AP
172. Pushpa Achanta, Bangalore
173. PUTUL HALDER, DURBAR MAHILA SAMANWAYA COMMITTEE, KOLKATA
174. Putul Singh, Sramajibi Mahila Sangha, Howrah
175. RABI GHOSH, AMRA PADATIK KOLKATA
176. Rajalakshmi RamPrakash, Chennai
177. RAJAT KANTI SUR, DMSC, Kolkata
178. Rajkumar Das, Balaram Dey Street Anandam, Kolkata
179. RAMA DEBNATH, SOCIETY FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL ACTION, KOLKATA
180. Rama Pandian, Tamilnadu Network, Madurai
181. Ranjita Sinha, Association of Transgender/Hijra in Bengal, Kolkata
182. Rasik Bhuva, GSNP+, Surat
183. Ratan Duloi, Amra Padatik, Kolkata
184. Ratul Dey, NIRMAAN REHABILITATION FACILITY, Guwahati
185. Raziya, Triveni Samaj Vikas Kendra, MUMBAI (SUBURBS)
186. Rekha Rai, Titagarh Durbar Samiti, Kolkata
187. Rekha Rani, Amrapali Seva Sansthan, Bihar
188. Renbonthung tongue, Indian Drug users’ Forum, Kohima
189. Renu Kaushal, Noida
190. RITA ROY, USHA MULTIPURPOSE COOPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED, KOLKATA
191. Rohima Bibi, Ultadanga Durbar Samiti, Kolkata
192. Rosa Herrera, Mexicali
193. Ruby, MUMBAI (SUBURBS)
194. Ruksana, MUMBAI (SUBURBS)
195. S Poongkodi, Sudaroli Pengal Munnetram Sangam, Chennai
196. S Radha, Erode, Tamilnadu
197. Sagar Karmakar, The Calcutta Samaritans, Kolkata
198. Sameem A Patel, Vadodara
199. Sameena, Triveni Samaj Vikas Kendra
200. Samini Poddar, Shantipur Durbar Samiti Shantipur, Bengal
201. Sana Khan Parvez, Triveni Samaj Vikas Kendra, MUMBAI (SUBURBS)
202. Sandhya Pagare, AP+, Vadodara
203. Sandip Purohit, Howrah
204. Sanjana Ram, Koshish, Kolkata
205. Sapna, Basirhat, Durbar Samiti
206. Sashi, Indian Drug Users’ Forum, Nagaland
207. SATABDI SAHA, AMRA PADATIK, KOLKATA
208. Sathish Reginald Samuel, Bangalore
209. Satish Mistri, BDNP+, Bharuch
210. SAULINA ARNOLD, TAMIL NADU
211. Saulina Arnold, Chennai
212. Selvi, ERODE MAVATTA PENGAL SUYASAKTHI SANGAM, Tamilnadu
213. Shabir, Pwn+, Chennai
214. SHAKILA BANU, VADAMALAR PENNGAL SANGAM, TAMIL NADU
215. Shashi Sudhir, Faridabad
216. SHIBANI GIRI, SOCIETY FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL ACTION KOLKATA
217. Shitalu Asha, Triveni Samaj Vikas Kendra, MUMBAI (SUBURBS)
218. SHYAMALA NATARAJ, SIAAP, CHENNAI
219. Shyna, Triveni Samaj Vikas Kendra, MUMBAI (SUBURBS)
220. Sima Fokla, Women Right Activist, Kolkata
221. Sivansh Thakur, ATHB, Kolkata
222. Soma Debnath, Labor Right Activist, South Kolkata
223. Sonal Giani, Umang LBT* Support Group, Bangalore
224. Sonal Mehta, India HIV/AIDS Alliance, New Delhi
225. Sonali Rai, Ulberia Durbar Samiti, Kolkata
226. Sosan Sunita Bara, Ranchi
227. Sowmya, Delhi
228. Subharanjan Sinha, Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee, Kolkata
229. Subhasish Roy, DMSC, Kolkata
230. Sultana Begam, Sarvodaya Samiti, Ajmer
231. Sumit Dutta, Gurugram
232. Sundari, Social Worker, Chennai
233. Sunita, Apsara Foundation, Delhi
234. Suresh Gamit, ForamFoundation, Vadodara
235. Surjeet, Harm reduction, Kaithal
236. Sutirtha Dutta, Indian Drug Users’ Forum, Delhi
237. Syed Hafeez Ur Rahman , Ashodaya Samithi, Mysore
238. Tanjla Khatoon, Komal Gandhar, Kolkata
239. Tapan Kumar Behera, Mito Trust, Baripada
240. TK Yadav, Khwaab Foundation, Lucknow
241. Toli, Social Worker, Jhabua, MP
242. Tsewang Sherpa, SDUF (HepCoS ), Gangtok
243. Urmi Chudgar, HAQ, Delhi
244. UTTAM KUMAR MAITI, Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee, Kolkata
245. V nagaraju, South India drug users forum, Vijayawada
246. Vaishnavi, PWN+, Chennai
247. Varsha More, Stri Shakti Sangathan, Nanded, Maharashtra
248. Vasavi Chilaka, Triveni Samaj Vikas Kendra, MUMBAI (SUBURBS)
249. Vegi harish, Humsafar trust, Visakhapatnam
250. Vincent Jpic, Rome
251. Vishwajeet, GKNP BHABUA, Bhabua
252. Vivek Raj Anand, Mumbai
253. Wendy Zodinpuii, MDUF, Aizawl
254. Wim Vandevelde, GNP+, Cape Town
255. Yadavendra Singh, Lucknow