Varnika Singh is a distinguished lawyer and advocate specializing in animal law, with over a decade of experience in litigation, legal advocacy, and policy work. Currently serving as the Head Legal Consultant at the Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations (FIAPO), India Varnika has been instrumental in leading landmark animal protection cases in the Supreme Court of India and various High Courts. Notable among these are her advocacy in the Community/street dog case and the Jallikattu Ban, alongside her efforts to combat dog fighting and the use of animals in circuses.
Her work extends beyond the courtroom to include suggesting and drafting key amendments to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and the Wildlife Protection Act. She has also been actively involved in challenging the removal of Section 377 from the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, addressing its implications for both human and non-human victims of non-consensual sexual crimes. In addition to her legal practice, Varnika is dedicated to educating and empowering the next generation of animal law advocates. She regularly provides legal training to volunteers, law students, and member organizations, focusing on enhancing their understanding of animal protection laws and advocacy strategies.
Varnika’s academic accomplishments include LLM degrees in online Advanced Animal Laws from Lewis & Clark Law School, Portland, in January 2024 and LLM from National Law University, Bhopal in Science & Technology in 2010. She has also served as a guest researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law in Germany, further enriching her global perspective on animal law.
A trained mediator, Varnika has completed 40 hours of formal mediation training and has resolved commercial and matrimonial disputes as a co-mediator. Her legal background also encompasses human rights advocacy, including her contribution to the landmark case of Shabnam Hashmi vs. Union of India, which expanded adoption rights for Muslims in India.
As the Lewis & Clark Animal Law Ambassador for 2024-2025, Varnika will continue her commitment to animal protection on a global scale, representing the values of the program and furthering its mission to advance the Animal Laws in Nepal and her home country, India.