P. C. Solanki
Poonam Chand Solanki (also known as P. C. Solanki) is an Indian advocate from Jodhpur, Rajasthan.[1] He is best known for successfully representing the victim in the 2013 Asaram Bapu rape case, which resulted in the self-styled godman's conviction and life imprisonment in 2018.[2][3][4]
Early life and career
Poonam Chand Solanki's father was a retired railway mechanic.[5] He attended a central school for primary education and joined the Bar Council of Rajasthan in 1996.[5][2] He has practiced in various courts, including the High Court, Supreme Court, and Session Courts.[5]
One of his early notable public interest litigations (PIL) was in 2002. He filed a PIL in the Rajasthan High Court against the immersion of Ganesh idols made from Plaster of Paris in Gulab Sagar, a lake near Jodhpur's historic Ghantaghar, due to the resulting pollution and death of aquatic life. The High Court subsequently banned the immersion of such idols in the lake. Solanki reportedly faced threats from some groups following this PIL.[5][6]
Asaram Bapu rape case
Solanki gained national prominence for his role as the counsel for the minor victim in the sexual assault case against Asaram Bapu, which began in 2013.[7] The victim's family approached him after being dissatisfied with the initial progress and unable to afford legal fees.[8] Solanki took on the case pro bono, stating he was fighting for truth and justice rather than money.[7][1]
Throughout the five-year trial (2013-2018), Solanki faced a formidable defense team of prominent Indian lawyers such as Ram Jethmalani, Salman Khurshid, Subramanian Swamy, and K.T.S. Tulsi,[9] who filed over ten bail applications—six in the trial court, three in the Rajasthan High Court and two in the Supreme Court—all of which were denied.[7] He reported receiving numerous threats and offers of bribes.[1][8][10] The case also saw attacks on key prosecution witnesses, with some being killed.[10][11]
In April 2018, the Jodhpur Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Court found Asaram guilty of rape and he was sentenced to life imprisonment.[12] Solanki's efforts in securing the conviction were widely reported.[1][8]
Media portrayal
The 2023 Hindi film Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai, starring Manoj Bajpayee, was inspired by Poonam Chand Solanki's legal battle in the Asaram case.[6]
In May 2023, Solanki reportedly filed a lawsuit against the film's producers, alleging copyright violation and claiming that his intellectual property rights were violated as no No Objection Certificate (NOC) was obtained from him, nor was the script approved by him.[13][14] He stated that the agreement he signed was for a biopic, and the rights were sold to another party without his knowledge.[6][15] Solanki also expressed that he did not see himself as a "hero" but as a lawyer who discharged his duties.[14]
References
- ^ a b c d "Poonam Chand Solanki: The man who fought without fear or favour". The Times of India. 2018-04-26. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
- ^ a b Suryavanshi, Aditi (2023-05-23). "'Bandaa': The True Story Behind Manoj Bajpayee's Courtroom Drama on Asaram Bapu". TheQuint. Retrieved 2025-05-09.
- ^ "Self-styled godman Asaram found guilty of rape of teenager in 2013". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 26 April 2018. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
- ^ "Jodhpur HC dismisses Asaram Bapu's plea challenging life term in rape case". India Today. 23 September 2019. Archived from the original on 11 December 2019. Retrieved 2019-12-11.
- ^ a b c d Bohra, Sanjay (2018-05-06). "Man who stared at death and won | Man who stared at death and won". www.deccanchronicle.com. Retrieved 2025-05-09.
- ^ a b c "PC Solanki, advocate who inspired Manoj Bajpayee's 'Bandaa', drags producers to court for copyright violation". The Economic Times. 2023-06-05. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
- ^ a b c "The nightmarish struggle to bring Asaram to justice". caravanmagazine.in. Retrieved 2025-05-09.
- ^ a b c "Lawyer who fought for victim in Asaram case, vows to continue fight if needed". India Today. 2018-05-02. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
- ^ "Who is Lawyer Poonam Chand Solanki, Allegedly Played by Manoj Bajpayee in". www.india.com. Retrieved 2025-05-09.
- ^ a b "Rape victim's lawyer reveals how 'godman' was finally brought to justice". SBS Hindi. 2018-05-02. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
- ^ Yadav, Jyoti (2023-07-24). "Trials, threats, trauma—one man's 10-yr battle against POCSO-convicted godman Asaram Bapu". ThePrint. Retrieved 2025-05-09.
- ^ "Asaram convicted for raping minor girl". The Hindu. 2018-04-25. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 2018-04-25. Retrieved 2018-04-25.
- ^ Hendriques, Princia (2023-05-26). "Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai In Legal Trouble; Lawyer Who Inspired Manoj Bajpayee Film Says His Rights Were 'Violated'". Mashable India. Retrieved 2025-05-09.
- ^ a b "Advocate Who Inspired Manoj Bajpayee's Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai Files Case, Says 'Not A Hero'". ABP Live. 2023-05-25. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
- ^ "'Film wrongly publicised, terms & conditions violated', alleges real-life hero behind 'Bandaa'". The Times of India. 2023-05-25. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-07-07.