# Hasan Mohammed Jinnah

Hasan Mohamed Jinnah (born 1977) is an Indian lawyer, human rights activist, and author. He currently holds the position of Tamil Nadu State Public Prosecutor since 2021 He is a criminal lawyer in South India and has served as a regional advisor to UNESCO CENTRE.
Jinnah practiced law at Madras High Court after graduating from Tamil Nadu Dr. Ambedkar Law University. He often takes up public interest litigation. Jinnah has frequently placed gender issues on the radar of human rights violations. The Sarika Shah case was an important moment in his career. It involved an incident of eve-teasing at Ethiraj College and set a precedent for the Tamil Nadu Protection of Eve Teasing Act in 1999.

## Early life and education

Hasan Mohamed Jinnah was born in Atthikadai, Thiruvarur district in 1977. He completed his schooling in Thiruvarur and Nagapattinam. In 1999, he received his law degree from Tamil Nadu Dr. Ambedkar Law University and also completed his post-graduation in law.
Jinnah is known for his public interest legal lawsuits that for the youth's cause. He filed a Public Interest Litigation in the same year he started his professional career as a lawyer, demanding the reinstallation of the Kannagi statue at the same location from which it was dethroned, at the Marina beach, Tamil Nadu. He successfully persuaded the Madras high court to issue an interim order to place the statue in safe custody at the Government Museum in Chennai.

## Career

He began his career as a lawyer in the Madras High Court in 1999. From 2006 to 2009, he served as Government Advocate on the criminal side at the Madras High Court. In 2009, he was appointed as the Additional Public Prosecutor and standing counsel for CMDA and Waqf Board. In 2012, he served as the regional advisor at the UNESCO centre for Human Rights.
In 2021, the State Government appointed him as State Public Prosecutor for Tamil Nadu, a position he holds until today.The added work in the criminal justice system is effective in dealing with criminal cases at all points and areas of concern to the welfare of law enforcement personnel working with him. He has pushed for increased cooperation between prosecutors and police, with a clear stand on the idea of all players in the justice and investigation systems, by having measures that look into their proper treatment and trusted worthiness in all matters. Thus, he is a person involved in many approaches for bettering police personnel, urging the human treatment of officers, especially in times of stress and pressure, but making sure that shortcomings in investigations do not lead to unfair treatment of police.
Subsequently, in 2023, he was designated as a senior advocate by the Madras High Court. He also holds a position as a member of the academic senate at Tamil Nadu Dr. Ambedkar Law University, where he is now giving his input to the new generation of lawyers, quite literally.
He contributed diplomatic insights on the Qatari death row case by writing an article in The Hindu, on November 15, 2023 offering suggestions based on the Vienna convention, international precedents, and broader context of India- Qatar relations. On December 1, PM Modi met the Emir of Qatar on the sidelines of the COP 28 Summit in Dubai, based on suggestions using the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, furthering the breakthrough with the death penalty being dropped for the eight former Indian Navy officers by December 29, 2023.
In 2023, Hasan Mohammed Jinnah, State Public Prosecutor, requested the Director General of Police to warn officers against premature usage of preventive detention laws; he argued that the Madras High Court is overturning several such orders. He said that the provision should be invoked only in cases that threaten public order and not in trivial matters, and he urged police officers to learn more about the difference between law and order and public order issues.
In 2024, his role in Tamil Nadu’s LGBTQIA+ policy development also stands out. He submitted a draft policy to the Madras High Court, which has proposed enabling provisions for sexual and gender minorities. His work in this area was hailed for its inclusive and anti-discriminatory efforts.
Hasan Mohamed Jinnah served as Director of Prosecution (in-charge) for four months in 2024. All during his tenure, he advised joint directors and governmental prosecutors to take up long-pending criminal cases priorities in regard to meetings he held. He also urged daily court competition coupled with active participation in cross-examinations. He further motivated prosecutors to be available to receive consultations with police officials. He apparently proposed a Chief Minister's Award for the winning prosecutor and mentioned the intention of filling the vacant slots and overdue promotions of the department.
He has been active in pursuing the swift resolution of long-pending criminal cases, especially those involving MPs and MLAs. He helped facilitate measures to improve the working conditions for government prosecutors and has proposed a Chief Minister's Award for the best prosecutor.
In 2024, he requested the Director General of Police to quickly proceed with the cancellation of bail where the offender continues to commit offenses or violates conditions of bail. Further, in a letter to DGP, he pointed out that in serious cases, the police should be swift to carry out investigations and file final reports within reasonable time. He also highlighted the importance of addressing witness tampering or threats by collaborating with public prosecutors to take necessary actions. Besides, he emphasized that bail should be the rule in criminal law, but it must be canceled when there are violations.
In his first meeting with prosecution officers, urged them to prioritize pending cases, be present during cross-examinations, actively engage in court proceedings, and assist police officers. He also promised to address issues related to promotions and filling vacant posts in the prosecution department.
He also pretty much thought about the safety of the lawyers and proposed ways for the solution of attacks on lawyers in 2025. His work has now extended to prison reform, including improving conditions for prisoners and promoting rehabilitation in place of punishment. Within the area of prison welfare, he had focused on better mental health care and vocational training for prisoners.
In 2025, State Public Prosecutor Hasan Mohammed Jinnah emphasized Tamil Nadu's strong tradition of religious harmony and social unity. He reaffirmed the government's commitment to upholding religious freedom, ensuring that all individuals can practice their faith without interference. Jinnah stressed that when people live together as one community, free from religious divides, granting permission for the procession could disrupt this harmony and lead to unnecessary tensions. He underlined the importance of preserving communal peace and unity.

## Personal life

Jinnah's father, Hasan Mohamed, was an advocate who served as the Public Prosecutor cum Government Pleader (1989–1991) in Thanjavur District. From 1996 to 2001, he worked as a lawyer in Nagai Quaide Millat District.