Prof Dr. Sarasu Esther Thomas
Professor and Director Manipal Law School
Sarasu Thomas has worked at the National Law School of India University from her LLM days in 1996. She has held various leadership positions during her tenure with NLSIU, including the position of the Registrar of the University. She headed the Centre for Women and the Law and set up the Ford Foundation Human Rights Lawyering Project at the Law School. She was also Chair Professor, Ford Foundation Chair on Public Interest Litigation. She has handled Projects and Consultancies with the National Human Rights Commission, the National Commission for Women, Tata Trusts, UNDP, UNODC and others. She has served on bodies including the Steering Committee on Women’s Agency and Child Rights for the Twelfth Five Year Plan, and the Drafting Committee, Legislation on Matrimonial Property, National Commission for Women among others. She has served on the Boards of Studies of Universities and Complaints Committees under the POSH Act of governmental and non governmental institutions. She is also a Founding Member of the Alternative Law Forum.
Manipal Law School (MLS) Bengaluru
Qualification: BA LLB(Hons), LLM (Business Laws), PhD all from the National Law School of India University
CURRENT ACADEMIC ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES
Sarasu Thomas has worked at the National Law School of India University from her LLM days in 1996. She has held various leadership positions during her tenure with NLSIU, including the position of the Registrar of the University.
She headed the Centre for Women and the Law and set up the Ford Foundation Human Rights Lawyering Project at the Law School. She was also Chair Professor, Ford Foundation Chair on Public Interest Litigation. She has handled Projects and Consultancies with the National Human Rights Commission, the National Commission for Women, Tata Trusts, UNDP, UNODC and others.
She has served on bodies including the Steering Committee on Women’s Agency and Child Rights for the Twelfth Five Year Plan, and the Drafting Committee, Legislation on Matrimonial Property, National Commission for Women among others. She has served on the Boards of Studies of Universities and Complaints Committees under the POSH Act of governmental and non governmental institutions. She is also a Founding Member of the Alternative Law Forum.
AREAS OF INTEREST, EXPERTISE AND RESEARCH
Area of Interest
Gender, Human Rights, Access to Justice Issues, and Family Law
Area of Expertise
Gender, Human Rights, and Family Law
Area of Research
Currently working on Reproductive Rights, Access to Justice, Carceral Policies, and Violence Against Women
Some of her recent academic publications are-
Sarasu Esther Thomas, “Law and its discontents: Ageing and Family Law in India”, Journal and Social and Economic Development, Springer Nature (2023)
Sarasu Esther Thomas, “Access to Justice in India: Managing Multiple Mechanisms in a Restrictive Practice Environment” in Helena Whalen-Bridge (Ed.), The Role of Lawyers in Access in Justice: Asian and Comparative Perspectives, Cambridge University Press (2022)
Sarasu Esther Thomas, ‘B M Gandhi’s Family Law’, Eastern Book Company (2022) – a popular textbook on Family Law in India
Recent newspaper articles and podcasts include-
“Fear of Love and Living in India” Published under 360info by Creative Commons and published by several news outlets including Deccan Herald in Bangalore April 11, 2024 available here
“Uttarakhand Pits Vulnerable Couples Against the might of the State”, February 20, 2024 available here
“Single Parents: Does the Law Discriminate”, The Hindu In Focus Podcast 03 Aril 2023 available here
“What are the issues with Uttarakhand’s UCC?” The Hindu In Focus Podcast 14 February 2024 available here
“The Marital Rape Exception Must be Challenged” Indian Express 21 May 2022 available here