Manohar Lal Sharma is an Indian lawyer known for filing a number of
frivolous public interest litigations.
Career
Starting with a public interest litigation in 1991 against provisions of the
Places of Worship Act, 1991, Sharma has litigated a number of issues in Indian courts that have attracted media attention.
He had filed a petition before the Supreme Court about the
Indian coal allocation scam. He also defended the accused in the
2012 Delhi gang rape case
The 2012 Delhi gang rape and murder, commonly known as the Nirbhaya case, involved a rape and fatal assault that occurred on 16 December 2012 in Munirka, a neighbourhood in South West Delhi. The incident took place when Jyoti Singh, a 22-year ...
. In 2007, as an independent advocate, he filed a public interest litigation petition in the Supreme Court in the case of
Sant Muktabai Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana.
Controversies
Blaming the Nirbhaya Case victims for using public transport and lack of character
In defence of the accused in the
2012 Delhi gang rape and murder
The 2012 Delhi gang rape and murder, commonly known as the Nirbhaya case, involved a rape and fatal assault that occurred on 16 December 2012 in Munirka, a neighbourhood in South West Delhi. The incident took place when Jyoti Singh, a 22-year ...
case, Sharma blamed the victim for using public transportation. He said, “Until today I have not seen a single incident or example of rape with a respected lady. Even an underworld don would not like to touch a girl with respect."
Sharma claimed, ‘Nirbhaya gang rape was planned by her boyfriend to gain political mileage’
Publicity on burning issues in court
Sharma is known among lawyers for being the first to approach the court on any burning issue. His petitions are always poorly drafted and lack substance or legal backing. By virtue of being the first to file a petition in court, he makes his way to daily headlines and fame.
Contempt notice over false averments
On 18 November 2022,
Supreme Court of India
The Supreme Court of India ( IAST: ) is the supreme judicial authority of India and is the highest court of the Republic of India under the constitution. It is the most senior constitutional court, has the final decision in all legal matters ...
issued contempt notice to Sharma for allegedly attributing motives to
Madhya Pradesh High Court Chief Justice
Ravi Malimath in their petition challenging the High Court verdict.
References
20th-century Indian lawyers
1950s births
Living people
Year of birth uncertain
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