Harina Bains is an accomplished lawyer and advocate with an LL.M. in Criminal Law, graduating with first-class honours. Her academic foundation includes a distinguished dissertation on live-in relationships in India, reflecting her deep engagement with socio-legal complexities. With extensive experience spanning Indian Family Law, Civil and Criminal Laws, Child Custody, Citizenship and Nationality Laws, and Employment Law, Harina has built a diverse legal career addressing intricate matters across multiple jurisdictions.

Her professional expertise encompasses preparing expert reports and witness statements on Indian law and society for foreign courts, covering issues including discrimination, gender-based violence, LGBTQ+ rights, political persecution, and prison conditions. Having prepared over 950 due diligence reports for diplomatic missions and approximately 45 expert reports spanning human rights violations to socio-political conditions in India, Harina demonstrates profound understanding of Indian statutory laws, personal religious laws, and international frameworks. Fluent in English, Hindi, and Punjabi, she has published research on stateless Tibetans and international parental child abductions, establishing herself as a recognized expert in Indian legal systems and society.

She can be contacted at harina.bains@asylos.org