Seema Kushwaha, a prominent Supreme Court advocate, is best known for her unwavering dedication to securing justice for Nirbhaya, the victim of the horrific 2012 Delhi gang-rape. Her life story is one of remarkable resilience and commitment to fighting for the rights of the vulnerable.

Wiki/Biography

Born Seema Samridhi Kushwaha on October 2, 1986, in Ugrapur village, Etawah district, Uttar Pradesh, Seema’s zodiac sign is Libra. She completed her schooling at Kalavati Rampyari School in Lakhna and pursued higher education at Ajitmal PG College in Auraiya. She earned a Bachelor of Law degree from Kanpur University in 2005 and a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Rajarshi Tandon Open University in 2006. Adding to her impressive credentials, she also holds a Master’s degree in Political Science. After her education, she moved to Delhi to prepare for the UPSC exams.

Family

Parents & Siblings

Seema’s father, Baladin Kushwaha, was a farmer who later served as the Gram Pradhan of Bidhipur Gram Panchayat. Her mother, Ramkuanri Kushwaha, is a homemaker. Seema’s family background presented significant challenges, with the birth of a girl child often viewed negatively.

Husband

Seema Kushwaha is married to advocate Rakesh Kumar Kushwaha.

Career

As a Lawyer

She began her legal career around 2006 in Allahabad court. Her notable work includes securing the death sentence for the four convicts in the Nirbhaya case, a victory achieved through a tenacious legal battle that spanned from the Saket Court in 2013 to the Supreme Court of India in 2020. The successful prosecution culminated in the execution of the convicts at Delhi’s Tihar Jail on March 20, 2020.

Beyond the Nirbhaya case, Seema has represented several other high-profile cases. She fought for justice for the family of the 2020 Hathras gang-rape victim and took on the case of Manish Gupta, a businessman who died due to police torture in Gorakhpur. Her commitment to fighting injustice is evident in her tireless advocacy.

As a Politician

Seema’s career extends beyond the legal field. She joined the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) on January 20, 2022, before the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly election. However, she later switched to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Facts/ Trivia

Seema hails from a small village in Etawah, so small that it may not appear in online searches. She faced significant challenges due to societal norms that undervalued the education of girls. Despite adversity, her father’s unwavering support enabled her to pursue her education and defy expectations.

Her determination was exemplified by her persistence in attending school despite having to cross a jungle and later facing opposition to her further education. She even beat a school bully who tried to harass her. Seema was the first girl from her village to continue her education beyond the 8th grade.

She faced immense pressure to marry young, but instead prioritized her education. Her passion for learning was so strong she even sold her jewelry to pay for her education. She supplemented her income by working as a teacher.

While preparing for the UPSC exam, she became involved in the Nirbhaya case, recognizing her calling to fight for justice. She actively participated in the protests seeking justice for Nirbhaya. Notably, she did not charge any fees for this landmark case.

Even after securing justice for Nirbhaya, she faced threats for her work. Seema continues her fight for justice for victims of gender-based violence and beyond. Her unwavering commitment serves as an inspiration for many.