Indore: In recognition of her dedicated legal service and unwavering commitment to social justice, Sr. Sheela SSpS, a member of the Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit (SSpS), India Central Province, was honoured with the ‘Young Achiever’ Award in the Legal Field at a special ceremony held in Indore on December 12. The award was presented by the Vidhik Jagruti Forum at the Abhinav Kala Samaj Auditorium, celebrating her impactful legal advocacy, particularly on behalf of the poor and marginalized.
The honour acknowledges Sr. Sheela’s growing influence in the legal profession, where she has combined professional excellence with a strong commitment to human dignity. Speaking after the ceremony, she described the recognition as deeply encouraging, especially because it came from within the legal fraternity. She noted that the profession poses immense challenges, particularly for first-generation advocates, and that acknowledgment from civil society serves as a powerful motivation to persevere and serve with greater dedication.
With five years of focused legal practice, Sr. Sheela has established herself as a diligent and principled advocate known for thorough preparation and sharp legal reasoning. Her work spans a wide range of cases, including criminal and civil matters, service-related disputes, land issues, and family law. Many of her arguments have resulted in well-reasoned judicial orders that contribute meaningfully to legal precedent.
Over the past year alone, she handled 188 cases involving women and tribal communities, successfully concluding 51 cases and securing bail for 44 individuals. Several other cases remain under active litigation. A significant portion of her work involves fundamental rights cases, where she represents individuals who often lack access to legal remedies. Notably, she has taken up numerous cases pro bono, refusing to accept fees from vulnerable clients.
Her sustained advocacy among women in slum settlements, tribal regions, and domestic worker communities in Indore has earned her wide respect across social and legal circles.
Reflecting on her work, Sr. Sheela spoke candidly about the moral and emotional challenges inherent in legal practice. Handling cases involving serious crimes and encountering corruption within the system, she said, often tests one’s faith. Yet, she emphasized that her belief system remains central to her work, guiding her through disappointment, delays, and systemic inequalities.
She acknowledged the constant tension between professional realities and moral values but said she consciously carries her faith into her courtroom work. Even when outcomes are discouraging, she remains steadfast in her belief that justice ultimately prevails.
Originally from Tiruchirappalli (Trichy), Tamil Nadu, Sr. Sheela has been serving in Madhya Pradesh since 2010, the year of her first religious profession. She made her final profession in 2017. As part of her formation, she pursued higher studies at Jesus and Mary College, Delhi, before continuing her missionary service primarily in central India, with a brief period of training in the Northeast.
Recognizing the transformative role of law in social change, she pursued an LLB from Government Law College, DAVV University, Indore, followed by an LLM in Criminal Law from Prestige University, Indore. She began her legal journey in 2018, gaining court experience under senior advocates, obtained her licence in 2021, and has since been practising full-time.
Sr. Sheela credited her congregation for discerning the growing need for legal advocacy and encouraging her to pursue law as a ministry. She said the congregation identified legal intervention as an urgent requirement of the time and supported her education, freeing her from other responsibilities to focus fully on this mission.
As the first lawyer from her province, her decision to enter the legal field was driven not by personal ambition but by collective discernment. While the congregation already served in education, healthcare, social work, media, and counselling, legal advocacy emerged as a crucial missing dimension.
“Litigation affects every other field,” she observed, pointing out that access to justice remains a major struggle for many. Her missionary appointment in Madhya Pradesh reflects the broader reach of the India Central Province, which serves across several Indian states.
From a small village in Tamil Nadu to the demanding courtrooms of central India, Sr. Sheela’s journey stands as a powerful example of how faith, perseverance, and professional excellence can converge in dedicated service to justice and the voiceless.