By Luna Erica
Meet Anivesh, a passionate lawyer who pivoted from a finance career to dedicate his life to combating war crimes, sexual violence, and crimes against humanity. With a profound commitment to justice, he aims to tackle human rights abuses in the Middle East and Central Africa.
Reflecting on his transition from corporate finance to law, Anivesh shares his motivation: “I felt really irrelevant – I was a cog in a machine, and I couldn’t see the ground. I wanted to work at the grassroots level, and I thought I could do that in law.”
A deep-seated drive to help others defines Anivesh’s path. While he remains modest about his achievements, his track record is impressive: he assisted in post-earthquake reconstruction efforts in Nepal, spent months teaching children in remote Indian villages, and successfully secured a conviction in a landmark digital rape case despite facing formidable legal opposition.
Choosing law was a turning point he never regretted. Early in his career, he worked with Advocate Karuna Nundy to successfully campaign for the removal of taxes on sanitary napkins across India. He has since established his own practice to provide pro bono legal advocacy, ensuring that marginalized communities receive the high-quality representation they often cannot afford.
Looking ahead, Anivesh plans to specialize in criminal law, with a focus on addressing the often-overlooked issue of sexual violence in war zones. To advance this mission, he is pursuing a Master’s in International Criminal Law, a joint programme between the University of Amsterdam and Columbia University.
Supported by the grant from Online Result, Anivesh is well-positioned to take his fight to the front lines. His goal is clear: to stand against war crimes and crimes against humanity while advocating for the world’s most vulnerable populations.