Mumbai Campus,
Assistant Professor, School of Law, Rights and Constitutional Governance
BA LLB, LLM,
Post Graduate Diploma in Social Work,
UGC NET (Law),
Ph.D (Law) NLSIU Bangalore
sonali.kusum[at]tiss[dot]ac[dot]in
Room no. 610, 6th floor, MS Gore Building , New Campus TISS
sonali.kusum@tiss.ac.in
She has done her graduation in Law with BALLB 5yr integrated course and pursued masters in law as LLM with specialization in human rights law. She has qualified UGC NET in Law. She holds Post Graduate Diploma in Social work and in Human Resource Management.
She has submitted Ph.D thesis on “ Constructing a Legal Framework on Surrogacy in India” at National Law School of India University Bangalore. She has received her Ph.D in Law degree from the Chief Justice of India, Sharad Arvind Bobde , Supreme Court of India at National Law School of India University, Bangalore. For her research contribution on Surrogacy law in India , She had the opportunity to be invited by Rajya Sabha Committee on Health & Family Welfare to present her views and her suggestions have been included in the Rajya Sabha Report No. 102, August 2017 on the Surrogacy Bill 2016 , See link https://cpb-us-e1.wpmucdn.com/blogs.cornell.edu/dist/2/7529/files/2017/08/Indian-Parliament-Report-102-1qs7ole.pdf see at pg.no.13/88, P. 4.8 of Pg. no. 18/88 g. No. 13, 18. She is one of the members of International Surrogacy forum.
Previously, She had been Research Associate (Legal) at Centre for Child & Law as a part of UNICEF India Project. She has taken legal literacy sessions for college students and She has contributed to the Legal Literacy Module (Book) published by Centre for Women & Law, NLSIU Bangalore.
She has worked with women prisons in Maharashtra and conducted clinical field research studies on issues of bail, legal aid, condition of maternal health, the plight of mother women inmates with their children ( Bachha Barracks of women prison) and compiled reports and submitted to IG Prisons Maharashtra. She has worked with Maharashtra Legal services Authority (MALSA) on similar issue and She delivered legal literacy session for the women inmates. She has published her research paper on the same.
She had been writing regular columns in a law magazine bearing ISSN No. published from AIR Private Ltd. and She writes guest editorial in news papers and quite a few online portals on medico legal and public health issues and gender related legal and judicial developments.
Major research interests
Women & Child law at national , international legal framework
Correctional Justice - Prison Inmates with emphasis on Women Inmates , their children behind bars
Surrogacy & Reproductive righst & Public helath law
Huamn Righst Law
Constitutional Law
Curriculum & Pedagogy in Law teaching
Legal research & Writing
Reserach Supervision
Faculty Supervision for LLM Dissertation for around 17 LLM students since 2017 -2020 in three academic years.
2024 -
Contributed a book chapter titled as “Issues of Unorganized Migrant Workers during Covid - 19 Pandemic - Under Indian Legal & Judicial Developments", Pp. 41- 49, in a book titled as " Law & Emerging Issues", Edited Shilpi Sharma & Baidya Nath Mukherjee , Routledge Publication, ISBN: 9781032549446 (pbk), ISBN: 9781003428213 (ebk).
Contributed a research paper as "Glaring Misuses Of Protection Of Children From Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act - Contemporary Judicial Perspectives From India" Pp. no. 3370- 3376, in the Journal, INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD AND NUTRITIONAL SCIENCES ( IJFANS ) , ISSN PRINT 2319 1775, Online 2320 7876 , IJFANS. UGC CARE Listed ( Group -I) Journal Volume 11, Iss 10, 2022.
2023-
Contributed a book chapter titled as “ Role of Forensics in Prosecution of Offenses Under Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses, ( POCSO) Act“ Pp. no. 246 to 255. in the book , Remaking Criminology, Contemporary Insights from the Criminal Justice System, edited by Editors, Prof. ( Dr.) Rashmi Khorana, Bedapriya Lahiri, Bloomsbury Publication, ISBN No. 978-93-56405-51-6.
Contributed a book chapter titled as “Legal Issues & Challenges in Live in Relationship in India” in the book ‘One Nation One Law: Unification of Family Laws’ to be published by MPP House, Bengaluru, Edited by Dr. Shaber Ali G. (Principal). (In print & To be published in March 2024 ).
One of the Co author, submitted book chapter on “Role of Forensic Criminology in Access to Justice -A Critical Analysis” in a book named Forensic Justice : An International Perspective,edited by Dr.Beluah Shekhar , Chair Professor, NFSU, published by Taylor and Francis Books India Pvt. Ltd.,New Delhi, 2023.
Article Reviewed - Invited to Review an Article for Sri Lanka Journal of International Law, on behalf of the Editorial Committee of the Sri Lanka Journal of International Law (SLJIL), Volume 29, 2023, headed by Prof. Kokila Konasinghe to review the manuscript titled 'PATIENT'S RIGHTS IN SURROGATE MOTHERHOOD: SRI LANKAN AND INDIAN PERSPECTIVES.'
2022-
Women Prison Inmates &Their Children at Bachha Barrack During Pandemic Covid 19 , P.no. 6- 14,
Volume 4 Issue. 2 (2022): July - December | GLS Law Journal, https://glslawjournal.in/index.php/glslawjournal/issue/view/9
Contributed a chapter titled as “Significance of NAAC at National and International Forums in promoting Quality of Higher Education: Challenges & Best Practices” P .no 78- 86 Editors Prof. Dr. ND Chaudhari, Dr. S.S Hasani, Preparing Annual Quality Assurance Report (AQAR) for NAAC, ISBN No. 978- 93 – 92584- 33- 6 Harshwardhan Publications Pvt. Ltd. Maharashtra, May 2022.
Children’s Right To Education During Covid 19 Pandemic In India - Issues &Best Practices PG NO. 113- 123, INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR LEGAL RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS, May 28, 2022, Vol. 1, Issue- 7 , ISSN [2582-6433], ISBN 978-81-948082-8-2, http://ijlra.com/archive/volume-1-issue-7-isbn-978-81-948082-8-2/ indexed – Manupatra, Google Scholar, open access, peer-reviewed, and refereed journal .
"Contemporary Legislative and Judicial Developments on Rights of Persons with Disabilities - In Context of Pandemic Covid 19", International Journal of Law Management & Humanities (ISSN 2581-5369) Volume 5 Issue 3 , Impact Factor: 6.350 (2022), indexed HeinOnline and MANUPATRA , Bimonthly, Double – Blind Peer Review Journal .
2020-
Emerging Human Trafficking & Abduction in Guise of Surrogacy in India NCRB Journal , December 2020 NCRB Journal-Vol-3(No-1) 2020 : pg no. 56-66 https://ncrb.gov.in/sites/default/files/NCRB_Journal_Dec_2020.pdf
2019-
Right to Free Legal Aid for Vulnerable prison inmates in India, Karnataka Law Journal Publications January 2019 ( 1) ISSN No. 0022-9091(Research paper in Peer reviewed Journal)
Right to life to be Free from Environmental : Facet of Enviornmental Criminology, Pg. 33- 40, Editor Dr. K M Tripathi, International Journal of Socio- Legal Analysis and Rural Development, ISSN No. 2455 4049, Special Issue March 2019, available at www.ijsard.org.
2018-
What about breast feeding for children born of surrogacy? : Sonali Kusum ETHealthWorld | April 11, 2018, https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/what-about-breast-feeding-for-children-born-of-surrogacy-sonali-kusum/63705067( write up in online news paper)
A Spate of Socio-Economic Welfare Legislations: Rising 2018, Flair Talk, 4 (11), 11–14, 2018. [ISSN: 2349-6649] (Research paper in Monthly Law Magazine)
2017 -
“Pitfalls of Altruistic Surrogacy in India & Around the World – Disturbing Trends” ISSRF Newsletter, Indian Society for the Study of Reproduction and Fertility, Issue 20, January 2017, ISSN No. 2395-2806. (Research paper in Peer reviewed Journal)
"Alarming public health concern for Road Accident Victims- Legal & Judicial Developments in India", AIR Flair Talk March 2017, Vol. 4 Issue 1, ISSN No 2349 – 6649. (Research paper in Monthly Law Magazine)
“Case of Mix-up or Switching of Gametes, Embryos – Glaring Omission Under ART Bill, India”, Indian Journal of Clinical Practice, Vol. 27, No. 10, March 2017. ISSN 0971-0876. http://ebook.ijcpgroup.com/ijcp/ (Research paper in Peer reviewed Journal)
Effective Establishment of Clinical Establishment ( Registration & Regulation ) Act Special emphasis on Essential Medical Services in India, AIR Flair Talk Vol. 4 , Issue 4 pg. no. 28- 29 July 2017 ISSN 2349-6649. (Research paper in Monthly Law Magazine)
Fighting Gender Discrimination in RERA , AIR Flair Talk Vol. 4 , Issue 4 . Pg no. 18- 20 August 2017 ISSN 2349-6649. (Research paper in Monthly Law Magazine)
Taxing Female Sanitary Commodity Under Goods & Services Tax Act, AIR Flair Talk, 4 (9), 28–29, 2017. [ISSN: 2349-6649] (Research paper in Monthly Law Magazine)
Legislation against Sexual Harassment of Women at Work Place: Ensuring Privacy of Aggrieved -- Critical Analysis, Flair Talk, 4 (10), 18–20, 2017. [ISSN: 2349-6649] (Research paper in Monthly Law Magazine)
Assessing the Illegalities & Legalities of Surrogacy in India, Symbiosis Student Law Review, Lexis Nexis , Volume III, 2017 , No. 1, ISBN NO. 978-93-8854-802-1, Pg no. 205-220. (Research paper in Peer reviewed Journal)
Surrogacy Bill must direct screening of couples, surrogate mother, India Medical Times,Tuesday, May 30, 2017 http://www.indiamedicaltimes.com/2017/05/30/opinion-surrogacy-bill-must-direct-screening-of-couples-surrogate-mother/ ( write up in online newportal)
No concern for surrogate mother's own children in Indian Surrogacy Bill ETHealthWorld | June 02, 2017, http://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/policy/no-concern-for-surrogate-mothers-own-children-in-indian-surrogacy-bill/58954663( write up in online news paper)
Surrogacy Bill should address health safeguards : Sonali Kusum ETHealthWorld | June 27, 2017 http://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/policy/surrogacy-bill-should-address-health-safeguards-sonali-kusum/59329910( write up in online news paper)
2016-
Judicial Precedents & Policy Making on Child Care Leave in Surrogacy in India, Journal of Juvenile & Family Law, Vol.2, Issue I, February 2016, ISSN No. 2446-2101. (Research paper in Peer reviewed Journal)
Chapter on “ Surrogacy –Inter country Trafficking”, Human Rights Trafficking of Women & children, Legal Policy Framework, Editors Usha Tandon & Sidharth Luthra, Central Law Publications, 2016 ISBN No. 978-93-84961-67-1. (chapter in Edited Book)
“A year of women oriented laws” (Cover story) Flair Talk, January 2016, Volume 2 Issue 11 ISSN No. – 2349- 6649. ( research paper in Law Monthly magazine)
“Judgements & developments from Courts across India”, Flair Talk, February 2016, Volume 2 Issue 12, ISSN No. – 2349- 6649. ( research paper in Law Monthly magazine)
“Questions & Answers on Right to Information”, Flair Talk, Vol.3, Issue 1, March 2016, ISSN No. – 2349- 6649. ( column and write up in Monthly Law Magazine)
“Police Complaint Authority (PCA) -Law for Lay”, Flair Talk, Vol.3, Issue 1, April 2016, ISSN No. – 2349- 6649. ( column and write up in Monthly Law Magazine)
” Questions on Domestic violence Act, Filing Domestic Incidence Report (DIR) 2005”, Flair Talk, Vol.3, Issue 1, May 2016, ISSN No. – 2349- 6649. ( column and write up in Monthly Law Magazine)
”Q&A on Child Care leave”, Flair Talk, Vol.3, Issue 4, June 2016, ISSN No. – 2349- 6649. ( column and write up in Monthly Law Magazine)
“Rising Trend of Celeb Surrogacy Legal Void & Issues Pending Surrogacy Legislation in India”, Flair Talk Vol 3 Issue 7, August 2016, ISSN No 23349 – 6649. ( column and write up in Monthly Law Magazine)
“Surrogacy Regulations Bill 2016 (Overview, Issues & Limitations)”, Flair Talk, October 2016, Vol. 3, Issue 8, ISSN No 23349 – 6649. ( column and write up in Monthly Law Magazine)
“Single Parenting Legal & Judicial Development”, AIR Flair Talk, Vol. 3, Issue 10, December 2016 ISSN No 23349 – 6649. ( column and write up in Monthly Law Magazine)
“Legal Successes in 2016 ( cover story)” AIR Flair Talk, January 2017, Vol 3 Issue 11, ISSN NO. 2349 -6649. ( column and write up in Monthly Law Magazine)
“Surrogacy Bill 2016 - Legally Vexing & Socially Problematic, Economic Times,” Dec 20, 2018, https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/health-files/surrogacy-bill-2016-legally-vexing-socially-problematic/3379 ( publication in newspaper)
2015-
“Prohibitions & Contesting Issues on Surrogacy in India”, Indian journal of socio legal studies (IJSLS), volume IV Issue-I, Jan-June 2015, ISSN 2320 – 8562. (Research paper in Peer reviewed Journal)
“Inconsistent & Conflicting Surrogacy Laws in India and Foreign Legal Jurisdictions”, IJLSR_2015_Vol_4_No-1, 4, ISSN 2278 – 4764 http://www.ijlsr.in/ijlsr_2015_vol_4_no_1. (Research paper in Peer reviewed Journal)
“Commercial Surrogacy –The Myth of Empowerment –Case Study of India, International Research Journal Human Rights”, International Multidisciplinary Research Foundation, IMRF Journals Volume 3, Issue 1, 2015, ISSN No. 2320- 6942 , ISBN No. 978-93-84124-32-8. (Research paper in Peer reviewed Journal)
“Legal Glitches Facing Surrogacy Agreement in India”, Indian Journal of Law & Public Policy, Summer 2015, Volume I, Issue II, ISSN – 2394- 2657. (Research paper in Peer reviewed Journal)
“Legalities, Illegalities & Myths of Commissioning Surrogacy in India”, Kerala Law Times 2015 (3), 14-9-2015, RNI No. 3057/1957, ISSN No. 0023- 0529 KLT. (Research paper in Peer reviewed Journal)
“Ridding ourselves of the rod”, Teacher Plus, Azim Premji University, November 2015, Vol. 3. No 10, ISSN No. 0973-778 RNI No. APENG/2003/09403. (Research paper in Peer reviewed Journal)
“Social Stigma Surrounding Surrogacy and Prostitution in Indian Society”, IMS Unison University, Pragyaan, Volume 5, Issue 1, June 2015, ISSN No. 2278-8093. http://iuu.ac/download-pdf/PragyaanLawJan15.pdf(Research paper in Peer reviewed Journal)
“Surrogacy in India”, (cover story) LawZ , Vol. 15, No 7 , Issue 167, July 2015, RNI . No. DELENG/2001/5379. Commissioning surrogacy in India. http://www.lawzmag.com/index.php/read-articles/25-commissioning-surrogacy-in-india(Research paper in Magazine)
2014-
Review of ART Bill 2014-Contested Issues and Cases,ILI Law Review-2016 (Summer Issue), (A Peer Reviewed/ Refereed Journal) http://ili.ac.in/ilr2016.htm
"Surrogate Child Concerns & Role of Child Commission in India", Consentia multidisciplinary research in association with Peace Child India, July 2014, ISSN No. 2347 – 9922, http://researchersclub.org/category/consentia-on-multidisciplinary-research/
“Contemporary legal developments & transformations on surrogacy laws in India”, Indian journal of legal philosophy, volume 2, issue 4, December 2014, ISSN : 2347- 4963, http://www.ijlp.in/ijlp/imageS/IJLP-Volume-2,Issue(4),December-14.pdf (Research paper in Peer reviewed Journal)
“Sociological Understanding & Implications of Surrogate Motherhood in Indian Societies”, International Research Journal Arts & Education, ICAECS, November 14- 15th 2014, Volume 1, Issue 2, ISSN No. 2349 – 1353 , 2014, ISBN No 978 – 93 – 84124 – 20 – 5. (Research paper in Peer reviewed Journal)
“Legal inconsistencies and barriers in commercial surrogacy in India”, Directorate of Legal Studies Kilpauk, Chennai, Journal of Department of Legal Studies, Vol. 35, 36 & 37 – 213, 2014- 2015, ISSN No. 2395- 5481. (Research paper in Peer reviewed Journal)
”Rise of Twin Surrogate Motherhood in India : Legal and Heath Issues,” March 2014, Posted On: 6/11/2014, indusbusinessjournal, http://www.indusbusinessjournal.com/me2/default.asp ( online news portal)
“No Record of Surrogate Mother and Child at Regional and National Levels”, Mainstream, Vol LII, No 15, April 5, 2014 , http://www.mainstreamweekly.net/article4838.html (Weekly Magazine)
2013-
Chapters on “Reproductive Rights & Technologies”, “Law & Legal System, Legal Literacy Module NLSIU Bangalore, edited by Dr. Sarasu Easter Thomas, Centre for Women & Law, National Law School of India University Bangalore 2013. ISBN No. 978-93-83363-00-1. (contributed two chapters in book)
“Commercial Surrogacy and Feminist Perspectives”, Karnataka Law Journal, Vol. 1st July, 2013, Part -13, ISSN No. – 0022 – 9091. ( Research paper in Peer reviewed Journal)
“A brief overview of Indian Surrogacy Law ( ART) Regulations Bill 2013”, Legislative Comment , NLSIU LLM Journal of Law, Volume 1 Number 2, ISSN No. 2349-5723, http://www.nljl.in/vol.1--no.1.html ( Research paper in Peer reviewed Journal)
“Surrogacy Law Inconsistent”, 29th July 2013, Hindu, http://www.thehindu.com/features/education/research/surrogacy-laws-inconsistent/article4960385.ece ( publication in National news paper)
2012-
Chapter on “Amnesty under international Legal Frame work”, Human Rights in 21st century , changing dimensions, edited by Gurdip Singh, VK Ahuja, Faculty of Law, Delhi University , Universal Law Publishing Co., 2012, ISBN no. 13 – 978- 93- 5035- 166- 6, English (Book). ( contributed chapter in Book)
“Manual for Commissions for Protection of Child Rights- How to implement the Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005”. Edited by Arlene Manoharan, Research Assistance by Sonali Kusum Centre for Child & Law, National Law school of India University Bangalore, 2012 ISBN No. 978- 81-925521-6-3. ( contributed chapter and over all research contribution in Book)
Participation in International Research Project Workshop-
Reproductive Health Care and Policy Concerns: Regulation of Surrogacy Arrangements in Sri Lanka and Lessons Learned from the United Kingdom, University of Aberdeen, Kings College, Project Legal Regulations of Surrogacy workshop, https://www.abdn.ac.uk/events/conferences/surrogacy-event-2021/speakers-discussants-1753.php
Received Award Letter for research project Grant , ICSSR Special Call for the Studies on the Culture, History, and Geography of the Scheduled Tribes of India under ICSSR Research Projects, File No. 02/155/2022-23/GN/TS/RP, 3rd August 2023, from ICSSR Expert Committee, regarding your project proposal for the "Special Call for the Studies on culture, history and geography of the Scheduled Tribes of India under ICSSR Research Projects", Title: "Study of Munda Tribal Women's Inheritance Rights and Gender Discrimination under Customary Law of Jharkhand vis a vis Contemporary Legal-judicial Developments in India", Budget Approved: ₹1000000/- (Rupees Ten Lakh Only) Approved Duration of the Project (Months): 24 months.
Received an approval for the training program in collaboration with National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) , “Two (Two-Day) Basic Training Programme on Human Rights for from NHRC” , Delhi from Senior Research Officer [Training] Unit, National Human Rights Commission, Delhi, T-11/3/2022Trg Date 13. 03.2023.
Participation in UGC sponsered Faculty Induction Programme (FIP) -
Completed the University Grants Commission, Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Centre, Goa University , Maharashtra, participated and completed the 119th Faculty Induction Programme (FIP) (GURU –DAKSHTA) (Online) held from 27-09-2023 to 03-11-2023 in hybrid mode.
Talk as Resource Person:
The Justice Inclusion and Victim's Access ( JIVA) Conference, 2024 at Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh ( M.P) , organized by The Pracademic Research Lab of MP Police ( PARIMAL ) ,
Delivered a talk as Resource Person on 'Access to Justice and Police Investigation: New Laws, Forensics, and Victim's Rights & Dignity' on 22nd March, 20204 at M.P Police Academy.
Paper Presentation at International Conference :
Presented a research paper on “ Role of Cyber Forensics in Crimes against Women & Children : Contemporary Regulatory Developments & Challenges” during the “International Conference on Recent Trends in Criminology, Law, and Forensic Science” from 20 – 22nd March, 2024.
Organized in capacity of Faculty Coordinator , A Public Lecture on “Community Forensics” by Dr. G. K. Goswami, (IPS), the founding director of UPSIFS, Additional Director General (ADG) of Police, State Government of Uttar Pradesh on 11th January 2024 at S. Parsuraman Hall, TISS, Mumbai.Developed the Public Lecture Report , available at TISS Website :
https://tiss.edu/view/5/mumbai-campus/school-of-law-rights-and-constitutional-governance/public-lecture-on-community-forensics-access-to-ju/
Teaching –
Program & Course Name - One year LLM Course on Access to Justice at SCLRCG
IstSemester –
LLM Foundation Courses Comparative Public Law 3 Credits , 45 hours ( First Semester)
IInd Semester -
LLM 05 – Curriculum Development & Teaching of Laws – 2 credits, 30 hours (Second Semester)
Program & Course Name - MA in Globalization & Labour, Industrial jurisprudence, (1 Credit, 15 hours ),Centre for Human Resources Management and Labour
Program & Course Name – Law Institution & Society, Choice Based Credit Course (CBCS) – Semester, 2 Elective Foundation – 2 credits 30 hrs, Co Course Teacher
Co – Teaching a two credits course,30 hours
Program & Course Name – CC10: Electoral Justice Systems, "Electoral Justice Systems and Regulatory Frameworks"_M.A. in International Electoral Management and Practices (MIEMP), School of Development Studies ( SDS), TISS, Mumbai, . 2 credits course, 30 hours, Co Course Teacher , 24th june 2023 onwards.
Co – Teaching a two credits course, 30 hours ,
Program & Course Name – Law, Institutions and Society
under MIDP (MA in International Development Practice), Dual Degree Programme with Monash University, Office for International Affairs, TISS, Mumbai.
Teaching a two credit course , 30 hours,
'Law and Social Work', Disciplinary Elective, first year PG students of Social Work program, 2 credits , 30 hours.
