In Conversation with Senior Advocate Ms Pinky Anand, Former Additional Solicitor General of India

Ms Anand, you epitomise excellence as a lawyer and I am sure I can say this on behalf of all women in law that you are an inspiration for all of us. Would you please take us down the memory lane and share with us how has this illustrious journey been so far; where did it begin and at what point did you know you wanted to be a lawyer.

Thank you Ashima, for the kind introduction. I guess I was destined for being a lawyer, I was always inspired by law, but having graduated in economics from Lady Sri Ram, Delhi, I logically gravitated towards an MBA and joined XLRI Jamshedpur, but the charm of an independent profession and being a professional brought me back into the fold of law, and I’ve never looked back. The journey has been incredible and extremely interesting. 

You were the First Woman Secretary of DUSU (Delhi University Student Union); an active debater; an athlete; host of a radio show; a singer and I am sure there are many other things that you excelled at. How did you don so many hats with such ease; please tell us more about your student life in India and then at the Harvard University.

I guess I have always been a multi-tasker and will always remain so, I do enjoy activity and that too diverse activity. Of course, fate has had its own hand in my life as much as anybody else’s. My contribution was picking up the opportunities that came my way. My student life has been exhilarating at all times. I wish I could return to those days. I enjoyed my days in all my institutions from school to college to Campus law Centre, Delhi University. The lessons learnt there, the companionship, the learning, the growing up, the playgrounds and the exposure to student diversity….. they have all made me into what I am today. I continue to nurture these relationships. Being the Secretary of DUSU was one of the most exhilarating experiences and was my first true exposure to public life in a strength of almost one and a half lakh students. Elections, campaigning, and being a part of DUSU taught me a lot about co-existence, leading and public interaction. Harvard Law School was a dream come true, from my early student days in law, I was motivated to go for higher education and Harvard was the premier Ivy League law school, added to that I got the INLAKS scholarship, which is one of the most prestigious scholarships. Harvard broadened my horizons and taught me a new learning. My most memorable spots include Langdon library, one of the finest law libraries in the world, the underground tunnels, Ames Hall which was my hostel and the law school itself and each and every nook and cranny of the campus.

Who are the people who have inspired you the most in this profession, and how?

My first senior, under whom I apprenticed, Mr K.K. Luthra was a huge inspiration to me, Justice B. N. Kirpal, Justice A. S. Anand are some of the names I have always looked upto. The current Attorney General Mr K. K. Venugopal, with whom I have had the pleasure of being associated with during my government tenure,  Soli Sorabjee who is my good friend and a fantastic neighbour and Mr Fali Nariman’s inimitable style and his eidetic memory have all had major influences in my professional and personal work ethics. 

In your long career, while you must have faced so many hurdles, is there any incident that you found particularly challenging to handle? How did you power through the problem?

Law canonically is full of hurdles, everyday is a challenge, every hearing is an examination, I’ve just taken it one day at a time, but I don’t take no for an answer. 

Ms Anand, my next question derives its substance from your book ‘Trials of Truth’ that talks about many gripping landmark criminal cases on defamation, circumstantial evidence, contract killing and more. Today the country as well as the media is trying to solve another mysterious case of Sushant Singh Rajput’s death.  Would you please share your views on the case and the way it is being tried by media. Would you like to share with our readers a similar case from your book?

Sushant Singh Rajput is a tragic case, but I cannot in my capacity as a lawyer comment as the case is sub-judice, however that being said, I do believe that in cases where the cause is taken up by the media and civil society the investigation and proceedings end up being monitored closely and the truth does come out. A similar case from my book would be the chapter we wrote on women who kill. It explores the themes of women killers and the reason why they do it. 

Ms Anand, you’ve mentioned in some of the interviews before that your life-changing court case was when as a novice lawyer you appeared against the reputed jurist L. M. Singhvi and eventually won. What were your key learnings from this case and what to your mind are the five fundamental essentials to be a successful litigating lawyer in India? 

I believe one of the most necessary characteristics that lawyers need to have is tenacity, the passion and the sheer will to push through a matter. After that, hard work, a proclivity towards reading and research and a natural curiosity are all characteristics that make a lawyer. 

What are the most critical changes that we must make in the wake of the pandemic to face the future effectively? 

Covid-19 has dramatically changed our lives, how much of this change can be sustained will be difficult to say but what I have learnt is the value of health, family, environment and sustainable living.

From the treasure trove of your experiences, what is one piece of practical advice you would give to women in law who feel the way to the top continues to be a journey through labyrinths and mazes?

Don’t look at the journey, focus on the destination and enjoy the ride. Don’t allow yourself to be stereotyped, have the confidence that if you prove your mettle, others will see it too. 

“Jis din se chala hoon, meri manzil pe nazar hai, aankhon ne kabhi meel ka pathhar nai dekha.”

While we have discussed your many talents in this interview before, we’d still love to know if you continue to find time to follow your passions; any new interests or hobbies that keep you busy or help you unwind when you are not working? 

I get bored easily so I need a slew of activities,  I love to read and write, right now I enjoy my Yoga and my training, and spend time with my daughter’s dog. I do enjoy golf and swimming if I am lucky enough to get the time to. 

What are some of the ways people from the legal industry can make a difference in the world? What are some of the winning qualities (for the BW LegalWorld 40 under 40 Awards) you’d like to see in a legal practitioner, law firm, legal writer, journalist, legal tech-startup or anyone else from the legal fraternity?

I’ve often said that law is a catalyst to change. The lawyers act as a bridge between the society and the ideal society. The qualities that I would look for is industriousness and a deep-seated curiosity for how law works. I would like to see some entrepreneurship and a willingness to change and manipulate your abilities according to circumstances.

Thank you so much for doing this interview with us, Ma’am. As a final note, would you please recommend to our readers your favourite book, quote, or movie that left a lasting impression on you.

I really enjoyed reading Dan Brown “the Da Vinci Code” and enjoyed “Chariots of Fire”.