Bridging Law and Policy: My Journey to Make Justice Work for Everyone

Law. Policy. Justice. My Journey in Advancing Rights and Accountability

By Amarjeet Singh, Advocate | Public Policy & Legal Consultant | Founder – Public Right Action Network (PRAN)

“Justice must not remain confined to courts — it must reach communities through awareness, accountability, and action.”

⚖️ From Courtroom to Public Policy

The Beginning: From the Courtroom to the Cause

When I began my legal practice in 1999, I was a first-generation lawyer from a small farming family — with no connections, no lineage, and no shortcuts. My mission was simple yet profound: to use the law to uphold the rights of ordinary people who often lacked access to justice.

Over the years, as I represented clients in criminal, consumer, and civil cases, I came to realize that justice cannot stop at the courtroom door. Real change happens when law and policy work together — when rights are not just written on paper, but actually lived and experienced by people on the ground.

This realization shaped my professional journey and inspired me to bridge the worlds of law, public policy, and social justice. That realization took me from courtrooms to policy corridors — working with civil society and government to make laws more responsive, institutions more accountable, and citizens more empowered.

Today, I continue this mission through my dual roles:

·       Practicing Advocate (Supreme Court & Delhi High Court)

·       Consultant to NGOs, including Shivi, providing legal, compliance, and governance support.

·     Founder of the Public Right Action Network (PRAN) — a platform promoting justice, consumer rights, and public accountability.

Expanding the Canvas: From Litigation to Policy Reform

My career took a transformative turn in 2007 when I began collaborating with leading civil society organizations such as CUTS International, CECOEDECON, and Consumer VOICE. These associations gave me the platform to work on issues that extended beyond individual cases — into systems, laws, and institutions that affect millions.

Over the past two decades, I have had the privilege to contribute to policy advocacy, legal reform, and capacity building in diverse areas

🌍 Public Right Action Network (PRAN)

PRAN (Public Right Action Network) is a rights-based initiative dedicated to advancing justice, transparency, and equity in India. Through PRAN, I collaborate with civil society organizations, development partners, and institutions to:

·       Conduct policy and legal research on consumer, health, and social issues.

·       Provide legal advisory and advocacy strategies for social change.

·       Strengthen capacity through training, awareness, and governance reforms.

At PRAN, we believe that law and policy must work for people — not just on paper, but in practice.

🌐 Visit the Public Right Action Blog

My Experience in Social Sector- 

🧭 Key Projects & Campaigns

1. Consumer Protection & Market Reform

·       ConsumersUp Project (2011–2012) – Led national advocacy for a forward-looking consumer agenda, shaping the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
🔗 Project Link

·       State of the Indian Consumer Report (2012) – Designed a national survey of 11,499 respondents across 88 districts, offering key insights into consumer welfare policies.🔗 View Report

2. Public Health & Nutrition

·       Tobacco Control Project (2016–2024) – At Consumer VOICE, led research, advocacy, and enforcement training under the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK) to strengthen tobacco control laws.
🔗 View Project

·       Monitoring Edible Salt Standards (2007–2018) – Collaborated with Nutrition International to strengthen iodine standards and enforcement in Gujarat and Rajasthan.

3. Road Safety & Safer Mobility

·       Road Safety Advocacy (2016–2024) – Supported the Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP) in policy reform and public awareness campaigns leading to the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019.
🔗 Project Link

·       Safer Cars Campaign (2017–2018) – Advocated for stronger vehicle safety regulations through Bharat NCAP.
🔗 Project Link

4. Energy, Governance & Accountability

·       RESA Project (2008–2010) – Coordinated the Regional Electricity Sector Reforms Project across India, Bangladesh, and Nepal, training 1,000+ stakeholders.
🔗 Project Link

·       Electricity Consumer Satisfaction Survey (Haryana, 2010) – Conducted a World Bank-supported study assessing electricity consumer satisfaction and regulatory governance.

5. Gender Equality & Social Justice

·       Capacity Building for Women Representatives (2007–2008) – Conducted leadership and governance training for 300+ elected women in Rajasthan under The Hunger Project.

·       Tribal Land Rights & Food Sovereignty Campaign (2007–2008) – Supported Oxfam India in securing land and food rights for tribal communities.

·       Gender Resource Centres (2007–2008) – Managed legal aid services reaching over 2,000 marginalized women through CECOEDECON.

📚 Publications & Research Contributions

I have authored and co-authored over 20 reports, manuals, and policy papers in the areas of consumer protection, financial regulation, public health, and governance reform.

Major Reports & Manuals

1.      State of the Indian Consumer 2012 – Detailed Report

2.     State of the Indian Consumer 2012 – Overview

3.     Training Manual on Consumer Protection (English)

4.     Training Manual on Consumer Protection (Hindi)

5.     Manual on Electricity Sector in Rajasthan

6.     Access to Medicines: Challenges and the Way Forward

7.     Consumer Protection in the Financial Sector: Challenges and the Way Forward

8.     Consumer Participation in Standardization Process

9.     Consumer Protection in Rajasthan: Issues for Advocacy

10.  Strengthening Consumer Voices: The Way Forward in Rajasthan

11.   Status of Consumer Protection in Rajasthan

12.  Law Enforcement for Misleading Advertisements in India and its Impact on Consumers (GIZ)

13.  Holding Broadband Service Providers to Account (Consumers International)

Key Published Articles

14.  “Why Should We Pay for Online Transactions?” – Governance Now, Aug. 2013
🔗 Read Article

15.   “Consumer Safety in India: Documented but Yet to Be Implemented” – Consumer Voice, Sept. 2013
🔗 Read Article

16.  “Reforms to Boost Power Sector and Curtail Losses” – Hindustan Times, Oct. 2009

17.   “Nothing Plastic: Cut Misuse of Your Lost Credit Card” – Economic Times, Sept. 2009
🔗 Read Article

18.  “Does It Make Sense to Separate ATM & Debit Card for Security?” – Economic Times, Oct. 2009
🔗 Read Article

19.  “Fill in Correct Facts for Smooth Insurance Claims” – Economic Times, Oct. 2009
🔗 Read Article

🎓 Education & Global Training

·       LL.M. (Master of Laws) – Jagannath University, Jaipur (2014)

·       LL.B. (Bachelor of Laws) – M.D.S. University, Ajmer (1999)

·       M.A. (English) – Bikaner University (2004)

·       B.A. (Economics & Political Science) – Kurukshetra University (1996)

International Certifications

·       Food & Nutrition Legal Symposium – GHAI, Bali (2024)

·       Global Road Safety Leadership Course – Johns Hopkins University & GRSP, Nairobi (2018)

·       Decentralization & Good Governance (Gender Perspective) – ICLD, Sweden (2011)

·       Tobacco Control Workshop – CTFK, Bangkok (2019)

·       People-Centred Advocacy & Governance – NCAS, Oxfam India

·       Standardization Process & Consumer Protection – GIZ, CI & BIS

💼 Areas of Expertise

·       Consumer Protection Law

·       Legal Research & Policy Analysis

·       Regulatory Framework Development

·       Public Health & Road Safety Policy

·       Capacity Building & Stakeholder Training

·       Governance, Transparency & Accountability

·       Gender-Sensitive Policy Reform

·       Civil and Consumer Litigation

💬 Looking Ahead

Through my ongoing legal practice and consultancy with NGOs like Shivi, I remain committed to promoting justice, accountability, and rights-based governance.

At PRAN, our mission is to translate law into lived justice — empowering people with knowledge, institutions with capacity, and systems with integrity.

Law. Policy. Justice. Together, they define the path toward an equitable and sustainable society.

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📧 Contact: amarjeetpanghal@gmail.com | 📞 +91-9829015812
🔗 LinkedIn: Amarjeet Singh Panghal
🌐 Public Right Action Blog: https://publicrightaction.blogspot.com

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