Most people have never heard of Advocate Rhythm Sheel Srivastava. Behind the black coat is a woman whose life has been defined by one thing: the inability to stay silent in the face of injustice.
Her instinct for action began early. As a schoolgirl, she stumbled upon something no child should ever witness — a group running a drug and sex racket. “A young girl had been taken away, and I couldn’t digest what was happening around me,” she recalls. Instead of looking away, she investigated by snooping around as a child, gathered details, and informed the police . A raid followed. Children who had been trafficked from across India were rescued; some returned home, others were rehabilitated. “That was the moment I realized: if I can do this as a child, then with a law degree and power in my hands, I could truly bring change,” she says.
That experience lit the fire that continues to guide her career. It’s why she chose law, and why she later specialized in ANTI-HUMAN-TRAFFICING, CHILD RIGHTS, AND ANIMAL RIGHTS. For her, the law is not just a career — it’s a weapon to protect those who cannot protect themselves.
The Toughest Case: Justice for Coco
Years later, another incident would test her conviction. A dog named Coco had acid thrown on him. “That case was really tough for me. It was a case of a voiceless — a being who could not speak, could not fight for himself. The pain was in front of our eyes, and I could not ignore it,” she says.
The legal journey was long and difficult. Court hearings stretched for years, but she persisted. In the end, the verdict marked a milestone. “For the first time, someone was imprisoned and fined for cruelty against an animal. Earlier, people thought you could kill or injure an animal and the penalty would be just fifty rupees. But this judgment proved otherwise,” she explains.
The win wasn’t just about one dog. It set an example. “That judgment helped many others file and fight cases of animal cruelty. It gave people hope that justice will be served,” she says. Coco, meanwhile, recovered. “He is fine now, living his life well, because we trusted the judiciary and they heard us,” she adds with relief.
Finding Balance on the Road
While her professional life is full of intense battles, Srivastava finds balance in a very different place — on the road, astride her motorcycle. “I take my Himalayan, go for a ride, and return with renewed energy. It gives me time with myself, and every lawyer needs that,” she says. Riding has become more than an escape; it’s a part of her identity.
In fact, she holds a record. “I was the first lady in India to get into the Limca Book of Records for covering the Golden Triangle — more than 800 kilometers — in 21 hours,” she says proudly. For her, riding connects directly to her profession. “It boosts me, it reminds me that I can endure, and it keeps me believing that I can.”
Breaking Stereotypes in the Courtroom
Law is often described as a male-dominated profession, but Srivastava has never let that dictate her journey. “I have never suffered being a female in this profession. My caliber speaks for me. I’ve had male advocates rush up to me, saying, ‘Rythmn please be with us, we know you can do it,’” she shares.
Her approach is rooted in conviction rather than comparison. “There is nothing like gender in this profession. It’s about courage, preparation, and the will to fight. My message to young lawyers is this: never think it’s a male-dominated profession. Keep your hope alive, trust yourself, and your work will speak.”
A Lawyer for Change
Looking at her journey, one thread runs through every stage — a refusal to ignore what she sees. As a child, she tipped off police to rescue trafficked children. As an advocate, she fought for justice for a dog others dismissed as “just an animal.” Along the way, she has built expertise in tackling human trafficking and stood firm in courtrooms where courage mattered more than gender.
“I couldn’t digest injustice when I was young, and I can’t now,” she says simply. “Law gave me the power to act. That’s why I am who I am today.”
In a world where most stories of justice fade before they are heard, Rhythm Sheel Srivastava’s stands out — not because she seeks attention, but because she seeks change. Her story is a reminder that justice isn’t abstract. It is human, it is lived, and sometimes, it begins with one person refusing to look away.