Lily Thomas was a renowned Indian lawyer known for her landmark legal battles, especially in the areas of constitutional and election law. She is most famous for her petition that led to the disqualification of convicted MPs and MLAs.

What was Lily Thomas’s biggest contribution to Indian law?

Lily Thomas’s biggest contribution was the 2013 Supreme Court judgement that ruled any Member of Parliament (MP), Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA), or Member of Legislative Council (MLC) convicted of a crime and sentenced to two or more years would be immediately disqualified from holding office. This was a historic blow to criminalization in politics.

What was the case that brought Lily Thomas to national fame?

The Lily Thomas vs. Union of India case (2013) was the landmark case in which the Supreme Court ruled against convicted politicians retaining their seats. Her petition helped reform Indian electoral politics.

Was Lily Thomas the first woman to file a PIL in India?

While not the first, she was among the earliest women to file Public Interest Litigations (PILs) before the Supreme Court, especially focusing on issues of public morality, election law, and social justice.

What made Lily Thomas’s legal work special?

She worked independently, without big political backing, and fought many of her legal battles pro bono—driven purely by her conscience and sense of justice.

Where did Lily Thomas practice law?

She practiced law in the Supreme Court of India for over five decades and was one of the earliest women to be enrolled in the court in the 1960s.

What was Lily Thomas academic background?

Lily Thomas held degrees in law and constitutional law from Madras University. She was also one of the first Indian women to earn an LL.M. degree from that university.

Did Lily Thomas belong to a particular faith or community?

Yes, she was a devout Christian from Kerala, and her faith inspired her commitment to justice, ethics, and service.

What personal qualities made Lily Thomas a role model?

Courage, independence, integrity, and perseverance. She often stood alone in courtrooms, arguing against powerful politicians and systemic wrongs.

Is there any organization or foundation in Lily Thomas memory?

Yes, the Lily Thomas Foundation has been established by the Law Office of Saju Jakob, to promote legal literacy, constitutional awareness, legal aid, and judicial reforms—especially for marginalized communities and legal outreach.

Lily Thomas
& Saju Jakob

We strive to uphold the constitutional principles, protection of individual rights and work towards social cause.

Carrying forward a legacy of integrity, justice, constitutional law, social cause and public interest.

Our office is led by the legacy of Adv. Lily Thomas, a trailblazer in Indian constitutional law. We maintain a strong presence before the Supreme Court of India, High Courts, and Tribunals, and are committed to responsible, rights-based legal advocacy.

CARRYING THE LEGACY OF PIL CRUSADER ADV. LILY THOMAS SINCE 1955

PEOPLE’S LAWYER AND ATTORNEY IN SUPREME COURT OF INDIA- A PIL CRUSADER

PEOPLE’S LAWYER AND ATTORNEY IN SUPREME COURT OF INDIA—A PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION CRUSADER Having an experience of more than 65 years of practice in the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India and various High Courts.

EMPOWERING SOCIETY WITH LEGAL EXCELLENCE

ADV./Solicitor SAJU JAKOB

LL.B (IND) LL.M(GER) MBA (USA)

Our Vision

To uphold human rights and dignity in a democracy rooted in Constitutional supremacy.

Our Mission

We fight for individual rights and uphold constitutional morality as the essence of India's social revolution.

Our Values

Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic” values guide India's legal system and Democracy.

OUR SERVICES

Legal Practice Areas

Constitutional Law

Fundamental rights enforcement, judicial review, administrative law, and constitutional interpretation.

Public Interest Litigation

Legal representation in landmark social justice and governance reform cases across India.

Civil & Commercial Litigation

Breach of contract, tort, commercial litigation, insurance disputes, and recovery suits.

Taxation Law

Advisory on direct and indirect taxes, GST, international tax, DTAA planning, and tax disputes.

Employment & Labour Law

Employment contracts, workplace policies, termination and severance disputes, and compliance audits.

Corporate & Business Law

Corporate structuring, FDI, M&A, board governance, shareholder disputes, and business strategy consulting.

Criminal Law

Defence in criminal offenses, white-collar crimes, cybercrimes, bail, and appellate litigation.

Private International Law & Cross-Border Family Disputes

International divorce, custody and guardianship, enforcement of foreign family judgments, and child relocation cases.

OUR IMPACT

1. Lily Thomas v. Union of India & Ors. (2013) – [Disqualification of Convicted Legislators]

This landmark judgment by the Supreme Court of India ruled that Members of Parliament (MPs), Members of Legislative Assemblies (MLAs), and Members of Legislative Councils (MLCs) would be immediately disqualified upon conviction in a criminal case.

2. Lily Thomas v. Union of India & Others (2000) – [Bigamy and Religious Conversion for Marriage]

The case challenged the misuse of religious conversion by individuals The Hon’ble Supreme Court held that a Hindu husband, who converts to Islam for the sole purpose of contracting a second marriage without legally dissolving the first marriage, would still be guilty of bigamy under Section 494 IPC.

3. S. Karthik vs. N. Subhash Chand Jain (2021)- Enforcement of security interests

The Supreme Court case focused on the validity of sale notices and adherence to prescribed procedural norms, particularly in relation to guarantors/acquirers attempting to block the enforcement of a security interest. The court's decision emphasizes the need for strict adherence to the SARFAESI Act's provisions to ensure efficient and fair enforcement of security interests.

4. Lily Isabel Thomas (1964) – [Challenge to AOR Requirement under Supreme Court Rules]

This case marked an early assertion of professional equality, where Ms. Lily Thomas challenged the Supreme Court rule requiring advocates to qualify as Advocate-on-Record (AOR) to act before the Court. Emphasising her right to practice under the Advocates Act and Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution, she sought to remove procedural barriers to equal access for all advocates before the Apex Court.

Democracy wins through Rule of Law- One MLA and former Minister in Kerala - disqualified due to Lily Thomas vs Union of India-

STANDING WITH YOU, LEGALLY AND ETHICALLY

With experience and legal know-how, helping you navigate the legal waters.

At the Law Office of Lily Thomas & Saju Jakob, we go beyond legal service—we defend your constitutional rights with expertise, integrity, and a legacy of justice. Guided by Adv. Lily Thomas, we offer strategic, client-focused legal solutions

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Team

Careers

We offer dynamic opportunities to individuals ranging from law students to legal professionals.

INTERNSHIPS

We offer law students the opportunity to work alongside experienced Advocates to gain valuable insight into the practice of law majorly in the Supreme Court and various High Courts.

LEGAL ASSOCIATES

We are open to hiring driven and passionate legal professionals who are eager to learn and contribute meaningfully to the collaborative and dynamic environment of our law office.

LEGAL WRITERS

We welcome contributors who can thoughtfully shape blogs, articles, or research papers. To publish your work on our website, please review our submission guidelines.

OFFICE ADMINISTRATION

Our administrative team ensures smooth coordination, confidentiality, and efficient case management to support seamless legal service.

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Lily Thomas's Awards & Achievements

Latest Articles & Information

Educating and enriching legal minds with the recent pronouncements of the Hon’ble Supreme Court and various High Courts.

Division Bench

Criminal Breach of Trust and Cheating: A Case of a Movie

Case: V. Ganesan v. State Rep By The Sub Inspector of Police & ANR. Petition Number: Criminal Appeal NO. 1470 OF 2026 (Arising out of SLP Criminal No. 10478 of 2023) Citation: 2026 INSC 265 Date of Judgement: 19.03.2026 Hon’ble Judge/ Corum: Hon’ble Justice Pamidighantam Sri Narasimha And Hon’ble Justice Manoj Misra Introduction Justice Pamidighantam Sri Narasimha and Justice

March 31, 2026 No Comments

Division Bench

Supreme Court Reiterates that Article 21 Extends to Foreign Nationals

Date: 28/03/2026 Case Name: THE CUSTOMS V. FARIDAH NAKANWAGI Petition Number: SLP (Crl.) No. 2725/2026 Date of Order: 18.03.2026 Coram: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE J.B. PARDIWALA & HON’BLE MR JUSTICE K.V. VISWANATHAN BACKGROUND: This Petition was filed by the Customs Department challenging the Delhi High Court’s order granting bail to the respondent, a Ugandan national accused under the Narcotic