Our Founder
Dr. Navpreet Kaur
Founder, NAVYA — Centre for Justice and Social Change
Dr. Navpreet Kaur is an Indian Social Activist, Advocate, Legal Researcher, Author, Diversity & Inclusion Expert and POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment at Workplace) Trainer, with extensive experience in legal research, advocacy, legal education and work relating to vulnerable and marginalised communities.
Education & Legal Career
She completed her B.A. LL.B. and LL.M. from Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, in 2012, and her Ph.D. in Law from Panjab University in 2019. She began her legal career as an Advocate in the District Courts, Chandigarh, and subsequently worked as an Assistant Professor of Law. Since 2019, she has also been associated with the State Legal Services Authority, gaining valuable experience in legal services, victim support and access to justice.
Research & Acid Attack Survivor Work
Dr. Kaur is an accomplished researcher with more than 14 years of engagement in research, advocacy and rehabilitation concerning acid attacks and the rights of acid attack survivors. Her doctoral research focused on the complex issue of vitriolage (acid attacks). Through her research and field engagement, she has interacted with survivors and their families across India and closely examined the legal, medical, psychological, social, economic and rehabilitative challenges arising from acid violence.
Her work has extended beyond academic research into practical interventions and survivor support — including legal aid, access to medical treatment, counselling, rehabilitation, education, livelihood opportunities and access to shelter and support services. She has also undertaken legal awareness and advocacy initiatives concerning the prevention of acid violence, regulation of acid sales and strengthening institutional responses for survivors.
Advocacy, Disability Rights & Gender Justice
Dr. Kaur's broader areas of work include disability rights, diversity and inclusion, gender justice, victim rights, human rights and access to justice. Her work particularly focuses on the barriers experienced by persons affected by violence, disability, discrimination, poverty and social exclusion, and on promoting dignity, equality, participation and meaningful rehabilitation.
Through NAVYA – Centre for Justice and Social Change, Dr. Kaur brings together legal research, social advocacy and practical interventions to address issues of justice, equality, human rights, victim support, disability inclusion, gender justice and rehabilitation of vulnerable persons. NAVYA reflects her continuing commitment to creating more inclusive, accessible and responsive systems of justice and social change.
Most recently, in Shaheen Malik vs. Union of India, an application for impleadment on behalf of NAVYA was allowed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India, along with a draft survivor-centric policy framework for acid attack survivors prepared by Dr. Kaur — addressing prevention, protection, rehabilitation and access to justice. Read the full update →
Dr. Kaur has also been associated with organisations and initiatives working for the support and rehabilitation of acid attack survivors, contributing to survivor assistance, awareness and advocacy efforts.
Professional Engagement
An academician and legal expert, Dr. Kaur has served as a TEDx speaker, invited speaker, Chairperson, Panelist and Judge on numerous national and international platforms. She has been invited by and associated with institutions including the Department of Justice, National Commission for Women, National Legal Services Authority, Police Academies, Judicial Training Centres and academic institutions in India and abroad.
Publications & Academic Work
Dr. Kaur is also an author and researcher. She has authored a book on acid attacks, drawing upon her research and field experience and examining the legal, social, medical, economic and rehabilitative dimensions of acid violence. Her research has been published in the Encyclopedia of Forensic Sciences and in Scopus-indexed, UGC-listed and peer-reviewed international journals. She has contributed to national and international research projects and has served on various medico-legal committees and professional forums.
Awards & Recognition
Her contributions have been recognised through several honours, including the NAI Achievement Award (2020), "The Phenomenal SHE" (2023) by the Indian National Bar Association on International Women's Day, and the State Award (2024) from the Department of Social Security, Women and Child Development, Government of Punjab.
In 2024, she was also honoured as a "Distinguished Alumna" by Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, and received the Fellowship of the Indian Academy of Medico-Legal Experts (IAMLE) at AIIMS Jodhpur.