Lawyers Collective was anon-governmental organization in India which promotes human rights, especially on issues relating towomen's rights,HIV,tobacco,LGBT and parliamentarycorruption in India. On 1 June 2016, Govt of India suspended the registration of the NGO under theForeign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 (FCRA) for alleged violation of FCRA norms.[1] This revoking of the license was challenged in theBombay High Court and the case is currently pending.[2] TheCentral Bureau of Investigation filed afirst information report on 13 June 2019 relating to charges of criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, cheating, false statement made in declaration and various sections under the FCRA andPrevention of Corruption Act, 1988.[3]
Lawyers collective was founded in 1981.[4] Among its founders wereIndira Jaising andAnand Grover.[citation needed]
Lawyers Collective represented the Cancer Patients Aid Association in the landmark intellectual property case Novartis v. Union of India.,[5] opposing Novartis' patent for Glivec, a life-saving leukemia drug. The case has generated global attention for its impact onaccess to medicines worldwide. On 1 April 2013, Novartis' patent was rejected by the Supreme Court of India
The Lawyers Collective has written a bill intended for debate in parliament regarding HIV / AIDS discrimination. The purpose of the proposed law is to prohibit discrimination against persons living with HIV. The proposal describes prohibition of discrimination in employment, healthcare, and education, and further prohibits hate and discriminatory propaganda.Anand Grover is the head of the Lawyers Collective HIV/ AIDS unit.[6]
The Lawyers Collective works closely with theNaz Foundation[7] and acted as their legal team in their lawsuit to repealSection 377 of the Indian Penal Code.[8]
In 2006 the Lawyers Collective received a grant from theUnited Nations Development Fund for Women to develop a project titled "Staying Alive – Empowerment through Law." The purpose of this project was to provide legal resources to promote women's rights in the Indian legal system.[9]
On 1 June 2016, the Govt of India suspended the FCRA registration of the NGO for alleged violation of FCRA norms for 6 months pending further procedure. Lawyers Collective in a statement said that it intends to take the matter to the court. The funds received include Ford Foundation.[10][11] The suspension of the FCRA license was then challenged in theBombay High Court. TheCentral Bureau of Investigation filed afirst information report on 13 June 2019 relating to charges of criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, cheating, false statement made in declaration and various sections under the FCRA and Prevention of Corruption (PC) Act 1988. Various academics and activists claimed that this was an act of intimidation and harassment.[12]
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