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	In February 2016, she was attacked with a chemical substance by unidentified people in Dantewada district.<ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/soni-sori-attacked/article8262627.ece AAP leader Soni Sori attacked]</ref> She suffered from a swollen face and was admitted to the hospital; the doctors were unable to identify the chemical used in the attack.<ref>[http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-the-attack-has-challenged-me-now-i-can-t-be-stopped-soni-sori-2180972 The attack has challenged me; now, I can't be stopped: Soni Sori]</ref>		In February 2016, she was attacked with a chemical substance by unidentified people in Dantewada district.<ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/soni-sori-attacked/article8262627.ece AAP leader Soni Sori attacked]</ref> She suffered from a swollen face and was admitted to the hospital; the doctors were unable to identify the chemical used in the attack.<ref>[http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-the-attack-has-challenged-me-now-i-can-t-be-stopped-soni-sori-2180972 The attack has challenged me; now, I can't be stopped: Soni Sori]</ref>
	She has also been criticised by the local administration of Chhattisgarh for staging attacks to gain media attention. Areeb Ahmad, a PM Rural Development Fellow in Bastar questioned Sori's claims and alleged that the attack was stage-managed to create controversy before PM's visit to Chhattisgarh.<ref>http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/raipur/Attack-on-Soni-Sori-staged-says-Bastar-DM-on-Facebook/articleshow/51175052.cms</ref> Soni Sori returned to Chhattisgarh on 11 March after undergoing treatment for injuries caused on her face by an acid attack.<ref>{{Cite news \| url = http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/police-framing-my-family-for-attack-on-me-soni-sori/ \| title = Soni sory returned to chhttisgarh \| newspaper = The Indian EXPRESS \| date = 2016-03-12 \| access-date = 2016-05-10}}</ref> She said, “My aim in life is to get justice for us tribals.”<ref>{{Cite news \| url = http://www.boomlive.in/my-fight-is-not-personal-because-i-have-nothing-left-now-i-fight-for-the-tribals-soni-sori/ \| title = My aim in life is to get justice for us tribals \| newspaper = Boom Live \| date = 2016-05-09 \| access-date = 2016-05-31}}</ref>		She has also been criticised by the local administration of Chhattisgarh for staging attacks to gain media attention. Areeb Ahmad, a PM Rural Development Fellow in Bastar questioned Sori's claims and alleged that the attack was stage-managed to create controversy before PM's visit to Chhattisgarh.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/raipur/Attack-on-Soni-Sori-staged-says-Bastar-DM-on-Facebook/articleshow/51175052.cms\|title = Attack on Soni Sori staged, says Bastar DM on Facebook \| Raipur News - Times of India\|website = [[The Times of India]]}}</ref> Soni Sori returned to Chhattisgarh on 11 March after undergoing treatment for injuries caused on her face by an acid attack.<ref>{{Cite news \| url = http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/police-framing-my-family-for-attack-on-me-soni-sori/ \| title = Soni sory returned to chhttisgarh \| newspaper = The Indian EXPRESS \| date = 2016-03-12 \| access-date = 2016-05-10}}</ref> She said, “My aim in life is to get justice for us tribals.”<ref>{{Cite news \| url = http://www.boomlive.in/my-fight-is-not-personal-because-i-have-nothing-left-now-i-fight-for-the-tribals-soni-sori/ \| title = My aim in life is to get justice for us tribals \| newspaper = Boom Live \| date = 2016-05-09 \| access-date = 2016-05-31}}</ref>

	== Awards ==		== Awards ==

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{{short description|Indian activist and prisoner}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2013}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Soni Sori
| image = Soni Sori at Bhopal Jan Utsav 2017.jpg
| caption = Sori at Bhopal Jan Utsav 2017
| birth_date = {{circa|{{birth date and age|df=y|1975|04|15}}}}
| birth_place = Bade Bedma, [[Chhattisgarh]], [[India]]
| other_names =
| education = Higher Secondary
| alma_mater = Mata Rukmani Kanya Ashram, Dimra Pal, [[Jagdalpur]]
| occupation = Social Activist
| known_for = Bastar Human Right Activist
| notable_works =
| party = Aam Aadmi Party
| spouse = Anil Kumar
| children = Muskan Sori, Deependra Kumar and Axara Sori
| mother = Jogi Sori
| father = Mundra Ram Sori
| relations = Shadev Sori
Ramdev (brother)<ref>[http://www.otherindia.org/dev/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=410:police-land-up-at-soni-soris-house-to-arrest-her-brother Police land up at Soni Sori's house – to arrest her brother?] Retrieved 8 February 2013 {{dead link|date=March 2013}}</ref>
| awards = Front line defender award 2018 regional
| honours =
| website = {{url|sonisori.wordpress.com}}
}}

'''Soni Sori''' (born c. 1975<ref name=TOI1/>) is an [[Adivasi]] school teacher turned political leader of [[Aam Aadmi Party]] in Sameli village of [[Dantewada district|Dantewada]] in south [[Bastar division|Bastar]], Chhattisgarh, India. She was arrested by the [[Delhi Police|Delhi Police's Crime Branch]] for [[Chhattisgarh Police]] in 2011 on charges of acting as a conduit for Maoists. During her imprisonment, she was tortured and sexually assaulted by Chhattisgarh state police.<ref name=BBC/> By April 2013, the Indian Courts had acquitted her in six of the eight cases filed against her due to lack of evidence.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/soni-sori-kodopi-acquitted-of-murder-charges/article4673791.ece | title = Soni Sori acquitted in a case of attack on Congress leader | date = 5 January 2013 | accessdate = 2013-01-05 | newspaper = The Hindu }}</ref><ref name=Hindu1>{{cite news|last=Bagchi|first=Suvojit|title=Soni Sori acquitted in a case of attack on Congress leader|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/soni-sori-acquitted-in-a-case-of-attack-on-congress-leader/article4673791.ece|accessdate=28 September 2013|newspaper=The Hindu|date=1 May 2013}}</ref> After release from prison, Sori began campaigning for the rights of those caught up in the conflict between Maoist insurgents and the government, in particular criticising police violence against tribespeople in the region.<ref name=BBC>Arya, Divya (22 March 2016). [https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-35811608 "Soni Sori: India's fearless tribal activist".] ''BBC News''.</ref>

Sori is a member of [[Aam Aadmi Party]] on whose ticket she unsuccessfully contested the [[2014 Indian general election|2014 general elections]] from [[Bastar (Lok Sabha constituency)|Bastar]], but lost to [[Dinesh Kashyap]] of the [[BJP]].<ref name="2014 result">{{cite web|title=GENERAL ELECTION TO LOK SABHA TRENDS & RESULT 2014 - Chhattisgarh - BASTAR|url=http://eciresults.nic.in/ConstituencywiseS2610.htm?ac=10|publisher=Election Commission of India|accessdate=22 May 2014|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140522181812/http://eciresults.nic.in/ConstituencywiseS2610.htm?ac=10|archivedate=22 May 2014}}</ref>

In 2018, Sori won the 2018 [[Front Line Defenders]] award.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://feminisminindia.com/2018/05/18/soni-sori-wins-front-line-defenders-award/|title=Soni Sori Wins The 2018 Front Line Defenders Award {{!}} Feminism In India|date=2018-05-18|work=Feminism in India|access-date=2018-05-18|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/en/front-line-defenders-award|title=The Front Line Defenders Award|last=Anderson|first=Andrew|date=18 May 2018|website=Front Line Defenders|access-date=18 May 2018}}</ref>

== Early life ==

Soni Sori was born to Munda Ram, a former [[Indian National Congress]] leader who served as the [[sarpanch]] (elected village headman) of [[Bade Bedma]] village for over a decade. Her brother Sukhdev and his wife were also elected to the [[panchayat]] (village council) as Congress representatives. Two of her uncles were also Congress leaders, who served as [[Member of Legislative Assembly (India)|MLAs]]. Her cousin Amrita Sori is [[Deputy Superintendent of Police]] in [[Jagdalpur]], the headquarters of [[Bastar district]].<ref name=sonistoryie>{{cite news |title=Soni's Story|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/soni-s-story/983928/0 |access-date=9 March 2016 |newspaper=The Indian Express|date=5 August 2012|archive-date=9 March 2013 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6EzmmlPRH?url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/soni-s-story/983928/0 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Sori's family owns large tracts of lands in [[Dantewada district]]. In the 2010s, the Naxals forbade her relatives from cultivating their land.<ref name=sonistoryie/> Her father served as an [[informant]] against the Naxals. On 14 June 2011, the Naxals looted the family's house and shot her father in the leg.<ref name=TOI2>{{cite web |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Father-shot-by-Naxals-daughter-on-police-radar-for-Maoist-links/articleshow/10219226.cms |title=Father shot by Naxals, daughter on police radar for Maoist links |author=Supriya Sharma |date=3 October 2011 |work=Times of India |access-date=21 September 2012 |archive-date=9 March 2013 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6EzmsWnQ5?url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-10-03/india/30263626_1_maoist-attack-dantewada-rajasthan-police |url-status=live}}</ref> He was given Rs. 80,000 as compensation.<ref>{{cite news|last=Sharma|first=Hemender|title=Is Soni Sori a Maoist or a teacher?|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/is-soni-sori-a-maoist-or-a-teacher/194532-3.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020050550/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/is-soni-sori-a-maoist-or-a-teacher/194532-3.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 October 2011|accessdate=5 March 2014|newspaper=IBN 7|date=19 October 2011}}</ref> Sori's mother, a housewife, died in 2012.<ref name=TOI1 /><ref name=H115 />

Soni Sori attended a nursing college, but dropped out to work as a warden of a girls' residential school in the Jabeli village.<ref name=TOI2/> She married Anil Futane; the couple lived in Sameli village with their three children before their arrests.<ref name=sonistoryie/>

==Criminal charges and prosecution==
On 14 August 2010, Naxals had appealed to boycott the [[Independence Day (India)|Independence Day]] and around 60 Naxals torched six trucks in the [[Dantewada district]] and then fled the spot.<ref name=DNA2010>{{cite news|title=Naxals torch six trucks in Dantewada|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-naxals-torch-six-trucks-in-dantewada-1423417|accessdate=13 April 2014|newspaper=DNA|date=14 August 2010}}</ref> Along with others, charges were framed against Sori for rioting at Kuakonda police station. On 29 May 2013, she was granted bail by a judicial magistrate.<ref name=affidavitGE14>{{cite web|title=Election Affidavit - Soni Sori|url=http://affidavitarchive.nic.in/DynamicAffidavitDisplay/CANDIDATEAFFIDAVIT.aspx?YEARID=May-2014%20%28%20GEN%20%29&AC_No=10&st_code=S26&constType=PC|publisher=Election Commission of Affidavit|accessdate=13 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140414130350/http://affidavitarchive.nic.in/DynamicAffidavitDisplay/CANDIDATEAFFIDAVIT.aspx?YEARID=May-2014%20%28%20GEN%20%29&AC_No=10&st_code=S26&constType=PC|archive-date=14 April 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In July 2010, warrants were first issued against Soni, along with her husband and nephew, for an attack on a local [[Indian National Congress]] leader, Avdesh Gautam. In the attack, Gautam escaped harm, but his son was injured.<ref name=OPEN>{{cite web |url=http://www.openthemagazine.com/article/nation/orwell-s-1984-starring-the-sori-family |title=Orwell's 1984: Starring the Sori Family |author=Rahul Pandita |date=8 October 2011 |work=OPEN |access-date=9 March 2013 |archive-date=9 March 2013 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6Ezn1I120?url=http://www.openthemagazine.com/article/nation/orwell-s-1984-starring-the-sori-family |url-status=live}}</ref> ''The Indian Express'' wrote that "evidence suggests both Sori and Futane were not involved in the attack", but that SRP Kalluri used the charges to pressure them to become informers.<ref name=sonistoryie /> Gautam stated that Soni Sori was not arrested as she had promised "a major haul of Maoists".<ref name=sonistoryie />

On 9 September 2011, [[Chhattisgarh Police]] stated that they had prevented an exchange of extortion money from the Essar Group to the Maoist group [[Communist Party of India (Maoist)|CPI (Maoist)]]. Earlier, [[WikiLeaks]] had also revealed that the Essar Group pays a significant amount of protection money to Maoists to safeguard its operations in the state.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/MP-RAI-more-trouble-for-essar-in-maoist-protection-money-case-2443753.html |title=More trouble for Essar in Maoist protection money case |date=20 September 2011 |work=Daily Bhaskar |access-date=9 March 2013 |archive-date=9 March 2013 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6Eznk1svF?url=http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/MP-RAI-more-trouble-for-essar-in-maoist-protection-money-case-2443753.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The cable stated that a senior representative from Essar, a major industrial company with large mining and steel-related facilities in Chhattisgarh, told a representative of the [[Consul (representative)|Congenoff (Consul General Office)]] that the company pays the Maoists "a significant amount" not to harm or interfere with their operations.<ref name=wikileaks>{{cite web|title=Wikileaks: Viewing cable 10MUMBAI12, ANTI-MAOIST OPERATIONS IN CHHATTISGARH BEGIN: ACTIVISTS |url=https://wikileaks.org/cable/2010/01/10MUMBAI12.html |publisher=Wikileaks |access-date=9 March 2013 |archive-date=9 March 2013 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6EznkRcD7?url=http://wikileaks.org/cable/2010/01/10MUMBAI12.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The police stated the steel company was paying the Maoists to buy peace and safeguard its iron ore slurry pipeline from Dantewada.<ref name=TOI1 /> According to the police, along with her nephew Lingaram Kodopi, Sori was slated to collect {{INR}} 1.5 million from Essar contractor B K Lala at Palnar weekly market in [[Dantewada district|Dantewada]] on 9 September. The police stated they arrested Lala and Kodopi from the bazaar, but due to chaos in the market, Sori gave them the slip.<ref name=TOI510>{{cite web |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-10-05/india/30246696_1_chhattisgarh-police-ankit-garg-naxal-supporter |title=Woman wanted by cops in Essar case held in Delhi |date=5 October 2011 |access-date=4 March 2013 |archive-date=9 March 2013 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6EzkQAhPl?url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-10-05/india/30246696_1_chhattisgarh-police-ankit-garg-naxal-supporter |work=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Arrest and torture while in custody==

On 10 September 2011, Ankit Garg, SP, Dantewada announced the arrests of Essar contractor B K Lala and Maoist conduit Lingaram
Kodapi (Sori's nephew). The police, Garg said, arrested them on 9 September when Lala was handing over {{INR}} 1.5 million to Kodapi at Palnar market, while Sori and Maoist commanders Vinod and Bhadru "escaped" from the spot. Essar GM DVCS Verma was also arrested. Soni Sori escaped and fled to Delhi.<ref name=sonistoryie /> On 3 October 2011, Chhattisgarh Police raided house of Kavita Srivastava, general secretary of [[People's Union for Civil Liberties]], Rajasthan division in search of Sori but failed.<ref>{{cite news|author=Sunny|title=Chhattisgarh police search human rights activist's residence in Jaipur|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/chhattisgarh-police-search-human-rights-activists-residence-in-jaipur/article2509336.ece|accessdate=11 March 2014|newspaper=The Hindu|date=4 October 2011}}</ref> It was also alleged that Sori was trying to collect the levy under the pretext of being a Maoist.<ref name=tehelkaint14 />

Soni Sori was arrested by [[Delhi Police]] on 4 October 2011. [[Deputy commissioner of police (India)|Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch)]], Delhi, Ashok Chand said that they had arrested her on the request of the Chhattisgarh Police.<ref name=TOI510 /><ref name="TheHindu_denied_access">{{cite news | url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2798877.ece | title = Women's rights activists denied access to Soni Sori | date = 14 January 2012 | access-date = 19 April 2012 | work = [[The Hindu]] |archive-date=9 March 2013 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6Eznr1RKX?url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2798877.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> After her arrest, on the same day, she was produced before [[Saket (Delhi)]] Sessions Court before a Duty Magistrate and was sent to judicial custody. She was booked under various sections including extortion, criminal conspiracy and unlawful activities.<ref name=OPEN /><ref name=TOI510 />
The three accused parties – Soni, Communist Party of India (Maoist) and Essar Group – denied the charges.<ref name="TheHindu_denied_access"/>

On 9 July 2013, [[Chhattisgarh High Court]] rejected her bail application along with another accused Lingaram Kodopi after hearing their counsels. The court observed that allegations against them were of serious nature.<ref name=toi9july>{{cite news|title=Times of India|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/raipur/Chhattisgarh-high-court-rejects-Soni-Soris-bail-plea/articleshow/20980444.cms|accessdate=8 August 2013|newspaper=The Times of India|date=9 July 2013}}</ref> On 11 November 2013, she was granted an interim bail during the pendency of her bail application as Chhattisgarh Police could not aid the Supreme Court of India with the records at that time. Her bail applications would be heard on merits on 3 December 2013. She has been ordered not to stay in Chhattisgarh and weekly report to Police in Delhi.<ref>{{cite web|title=Order dated 11 November 2013 of the Supreme Court of India in Soni Sori v. State of Chhattisgarh|url=http://sci.nic.in/outtoday/sr789813.pdf}}</ref>

Despite Soni Sori's statement to a court that she feared for her safety, she was transferred to the custody of Chhattisgarh state police in [[Dantewada]].<ref name=HRW /> She was then interrogated on 8 and 9 October, during which time she alleges that she was stripped naked and tortured with electric shocks.<ref name=AI>{{cite web |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/for-media/press-releases/india-release-soni-sori-international-women-s-day-2012-03-07 |title=India: Release Soni Sori on International Women's Day |date=7 March 2012 |publisher=[[Amnesty International]] |access-date=19 April 2012 |archive-date=9 March 2013 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6EzmrIVCz?url=http://www.amnesty.org/en/for-media/press-releases/india-release-soni-sori-international-women-s-day-2012-03-07 |url-status=live}}</ref> at the orders of then-district police superintendent [[Ankit Garg]].<ref name=HRW>{{cite web |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2012/01/30/india-prosecute-security-forces-torture |title=India: Prosecute Security Forces for Torture |date=31 January 2012 |publisher=[[Human Rights Watch]] |access-date=19 April 2012 |archive-date=9 March 2013 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6EznsQ2L1?url=http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/01/30/india-prosecute-security-forces-torture |url-status=live}}</ref> She wrote to her lawyer that she had been forced to stand naked while "(Superintendent of Police) Ankit Garg was watching me, sitting on his chair... While looking at my body, he abused me in filthy language and humiliated me."<ref name=Hindu83>{{cite web |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/article2971330.ece |title=Soni Sori case: HRW wants PM to order impartial probe on torture |author=J Balaji |date=8 March 2012 |work=The Hindu |access-date=19 April 2012 |archive-date=9 March 2013 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6EznzWnfE?url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/article2971330.ece |url-status=live}}</ref> She alleged that he then sent three men into the room to sexually assault her.<ref name=Hindu83 /> Garg "categorically denied" Sori's allegations against him.<ref name=Hindu261>{{cite web |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2834675.ece |title=Activists shocked at gallantry award for Chhattisgarh cop |author=Aman Sethi |authorlink=Aman Sethi |date=26 January 2012 |work=The Hindu |access-date=21 September 2012 |archive-date=9 March 2013 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6EznzvAyH?url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2834675.ece |url-status=live}}</ref>

Sori was subsequently hospitalized at [[Kolkata Medical College Hospital]], where doctors removed stones that had been inserted into her vagina and rectum.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2681984.ece |title=Court anguished at Soni Sori's medical report|date=3 December 2011 |work=The Hindu |access-date=19 April 2012 |archive-date=9 March 2013 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6Ezo0M4H7?url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2681984.ece |url-status=live}}</ref> A review by the ''Indian Express'' found the medical reports on the issue to be inconsistent, noting that government doctors had not previously noted the stones in their report after an X-ray and that the Kolkata doctors had not noted any tearing or discharge as might be expected.<ref name=sonistoryie /> However, an inquiry by India's Supreme Court determined that sexual torture had occurred.<ref name="BBC"/>

On 8 January 2013, [[Supreme Court of India]] allowed Sori's request for shifting from the Raipur Central Jail to the Jagdalpur Jail. Court recorded that she had been shifted to the Raipur Central Jail on her own request. Sori had complained of sexual harassment from jail officials at the Raipur prison. The order was passed after lawyers who appeared for [[Chhattisgarh government]] were not opposed to the plea.<ref name=Pioneer241>{{cite web |url=http://www.dailypioneer.com/state-editions/raipur/124152-soni-sori-shifted-to-jagdalpur-jail-.html |work=The Pioneer |date=24 January 2013 |title=Soni Sori shifted to Jagdalpur jail |access-date=9 March 2013 |archive-date=9 March 2013 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6EzoMPwJa?url=http://www.dailypioneer.com/state-editions/raipur/124152-soni-sori-shifted-to-jagdalpur-jail-.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Order, Supreme Court of India|url=http://courtnic.nic.in/supremecourt/temp/20620114812013p.txt|publisher=Supreme Court of India|accessdate=19 July 2013}}</ref>

==Reactions==

===Government===
The Chhattisgarh government submitted to the Supreme Court of India that the entire allegation was being orchestrated by certain vested interests to malign the Chhattisgarh Police.<ref name=Pioneer241 /> The police also denied the charges of torture. ADG (Naxal) Ramnivas said that she had slipped in the bathroom and had injured herself. The police said, "in her statement to doctors in Dantewada hospital in the presence of the police, she confirmed that she slipped in the bathroom and sustained head and back injuries".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/arrested-woman--maoist--in-chhattisgarh-hospital-with-head-spinal-injuries/858356 |title=Arrested woman 'Maoist' in Chhattisgarh hospital with head, spinal injuries |date=11 October 2011 |work=The Indian Express |access-date=9 March 2013 |archive-date=9 March 2013 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6EzorxFIB?url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/arrested-woman--maoist--in-chhattisgarh-hospital-with-head-spinal-injuries/858356 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Gautam, the Indian National Congress leader whose house was attacked in July 2010, said that he felt sorry for her as human rights activists were using her and this had made the case more complex.<ref name=sonistoryie />

===Activists===
On 11 October 2011, Sori began a [[hunger strike]] to protest her alleged framing in the payoff case.<ref name=TOI1 /> On 13 October, the [[National Human Rights Commission of India|National Human Rights Commission]] announced that it would investigate Sori's allegations of torture.<ref name=TOI1>{{cite web |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-10-13/india/30274685_1_hunger-strike-dantewada-nhrc |title=NHRC to probe if Soni Sori was tortured |author=Supriya Sharma |date=13 October 2011 |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=21 September 2012|archive-date=9 March 2013 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6EzmVHkL7?url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-10-13/india/30274685_1_hunger-strike-dantewada-nhrc |url-status=dead}}</ref> In January 2012, [[Human Rights Watch]] called on Prime Minister [[Manmohan Singh]] to launch an independent probe, criticizing the failure of the Chhattisgarh government to begin an investigation and the lack of inquiries by the national government.<ref name=Hindu83 /> [[Amnesty International]] stated that it considered Sori a [[prisoner of conscience]], imprisoned for her critique of human rights violations by both Maoist rebels and Indian state forces. On [[International Women's Day]] 2012 (8 March), it launched a campaign calling for her unconditional release and an investigation into her torture allegations.<ref name=AI />

A group of 250 activists and intellectuals wrote to Prime Minister Singh on 30 April expressing concern over Sori's "rapidly deteriorating" condition in prison and demanding that she receive immediate medical attention. Signatories included [[Aruna Roy]], [[Jean Dreze]], [[Harsh Mander]], [[Prashant Bhushan]], [[Meena Kandasamy]], [[Arundhati Roy]], [[Noam Chomsky]], [[Rinshad Reera]] and [[Anand Patwardhan]].<ref name=ET304>{{cite web |url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-04-30/news/31508156_1_adivasi-school-teacher-jean-dreze-harsh-mander |title=Activists like Aruna Roy, Jean Dreze write to PM demanding medical attention for Soni Sori |author=M Rajshekhar |date=30 April 2012 |work=[[The Economic Times]] |access-date=21 September 2012 |archive-date=9 March 2013 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6EzoFeKtZ?url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-04-30/news/31508156_1_adivasi-school-teacher-jean-dreze-harsh-mander |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |agency=Times News Network |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-05-12/india/31679500_1_arundhati-roy-tribal-teacher-human-rights-activists |title=Punjab academicians, Sahitya Akademy award winner authors write to PM for tribal teacher Soni Sori' release |author=Neel Kamal |date=12 May 2012 |access-date=21 September 2012 |archive-date=9 March 2013 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6EzoG1tVO?url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-05-12/india/31679500_1_arundhati-roy-tribal-teacher-human-rights-activists |work=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=dead}}</ref> After being refused by the [[All India Institute of Medical Sciences]] the previous day, Sori was later admitted to the hospital on 10 May for treatment. She was found to be suffering from severe [[blister]]s in her genital area, and a government inquiry was instituted to learn why the hospital had initially refused her.<ref name=H115>{{cite web |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article3405683.ece |title=Soni Sori admitted to AIIMS; issue in RS |author=Divya Trivedi |date=11 May 2012 |work=The Hindu |access-date=21 September 2012 |archive-date=9 March 2013 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6EznUGVD4?url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article3405683.ece |url-status=live}}</ref>

However, in an interview, Sori claimed that while she was in jail, no political party and leader came forward to help her.<ref name="tehelkaint14">{{cite web|last=Majumdart|first=Ushinor|url=http://www.tehelka.com/i-think-they-will-kill-me-because-the-truth-scares-them/|title=I think they will kill me… because the truth scares them|publisher=Tehelka|accessdate=13 April 2014}}</ref>

=== Press ===
Rahul Pandita of ''[[OPEN (Indian magazine)|OPEN]]'' wrote that "there is good reason to believe that the stories in circulation about her are a complex web of lies and falsehood systematically spread over the past two years by the state machinery", and compared the case to [[George Orwell]]'s novel ''1984''.<ref name=OPEN /> ''The Indian Express'' wrote of the case that "Sori's story over the past two years is that of a woman who was exploited both by the police and the Maoists—some would say she let them use her—and now by her activist friends."<ref name=sonistoryie />

==Politics==
After her release from Jail on Bail in 2014, Sori joined Aam Aadmi Party. She said that she wanted to contest elections and transform the system. Party leaders had finalised her name for tribal-dominated [[Bastar division|Bastar]] constituency, however later the party made it clear that Sori was not being given a party ticket.<ref>{{cite news|title=Soni Sori, ex-Infosys CFO V Balakrishnan join AAP|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Soni-Sori-ex-Infosys-CFO-V-Balakrishnan-join-AAP/articleshow/30730155.cms|accessdate=27 February 2014|newspaper=Times of India|date=20 February 2014}}</ref><ref name=ndtvaap>{{cite news|last=Asrar|first=Nadim|title=AAP to field tribal rights activist Soni Sori from Bastar for Lok Sabha polls|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/election-2014/aap-to-field-tribal-rights-activist-soni-sori-from-bastar-for-lok-sabha-polls-484264|accessdate=27 February 2014|newspaper=NDTV|date=17 February 2014}}</ref> It was reported that state leaders of Aam Aadmi Party were reluctant to accept Sori as a candidate. It was thought that charges against her might hurt party's vote in the Chhattisgarh.<ref name=hinduaap2014>{{cite news|last=Bagchi|first=Suvojit|title=AAP not fielding Soni Sori from Chhattisgarh|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/aap-not-fielding-soni-sori-from-chhattisgarh/article5708803.ece|accessdate=27 February 2014|newspaper=The Hindu|date=19 February 2014}}</ref> Finally in their sixth list, AAP announced Sori as their candidate from the Bastar constituency.<ref>{{cite news|last=Parsai|first=Gargi|title=Soni Sori, Shazia Ilmi on AAP 6th list|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/soni-sori-shazia-ilmi-in-aaps-sixth-list-of-candidates/article5788936.ece|accessdate=15 March 2014|newspaper=The HINDU|date=15 March 2014}}</ref> [[Agnivesh]] asked the Naxalites to help Sori win the elections.<ref>{{cite news|title=सोनी सोरी की मदद करें नक्सली : अग्निवेश|url=http://www.jagran.com/news/national-naxalites-should-support-to-soni-sori-agnivesh-11205817.html|accessdate=9 April 2014|newspaper=Dainik Jagran|date=3 April 2014|language=Hindi}}</ref> The north regional committee of the CPI(Maoist)’s Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee has issued a statement opposing the polls and appealing to people to boycott Sori, while Maoists in Darbha and Katekalyan have asked people to vote for her.<ref name=IE9414>{{cite news|last=Bhardwaj|first=Ashutosh|title=Backing or boycott, Sori divides Maoists in Bastar|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/politics/backing-or-boycott-sori-divides-maoists-in-bastar/99|accessdate=9 April 2014|newspaper=Indian Express|date=9 April 2014}}</ref> She lost the 2014 General election contesting from Bastar, to Dinesh Kashyap of the BJP.<ref name="2014 result"/>

On the election day of 10 April 2014, [[Election Commission of India]] had served a notice on her for violation of [[Election Commission of India#Model Code of Conduct|Model Code of Conduct]] for displaying her party symbol while voting.<ref>{{cite news|title=AAP's Bastar nominee Soni Sori gets notice for poll code violation|url=http://www.ndtv.com/elections/article/election-2014/aap-s-bastar-nominee-soni-sori-gets-notice-for-poll-code-violation-506929|accessdate=13 April 2014|newspaper=NDTV|date=10 April 2014}}</ref>

=== 2016 attack ===

In February 2016, she was attacked with a chemical substance by unidentified people in Dantewada district.<ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/soni-sori-attacked/article8262627.ece AAP leader Soni Sori attacked]</ref> She suffered from a swollen face and was admitted to the hospital; the doctors were unable to identify the chemical used in the attack.<ref>[http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-the-attack-has-challenged-me-now-i-can-t-be-stopped-soni-sori-2180972 The attack has challenged me; now, I can't be stopped: Soni Sori]</ref>
She has also been criticised by the local administration of Chhattisgarh for staging attacks to gain media attention. Areeb Ahmad, a PM Rural Development Fellow in Bastar questioned Sori's claims and alleged that the attack was stage-managed to create controversy before PM's visit to Chhattisgarh.<ref>http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/raipur/Attack-on-Soni-Sori-staged-says-Bastar-DM-on-Facebook/articleshow/51175052.cms</ref> Soni Sori returned to Chhattisgarh on 11 March after undergoing treatment for injuries caused on her face by an acid attack.<ref>{{Cite news | url = http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/police-framing-my-family-for-attack-on-me-soni-sori/ | title = Soni sory returned to chhttisgarh | newspaper = The Indian EXPRESS | date = 2016-03-12 | access-date = 2016-05-10}}</ref> She said, “My aim in life is to get justice for us tribals.”<ref>{{Cite news | url = http://www.boomlive.in/my-fight-is-not-personal-because-i-have-nothing-left-now-i-fight-for-the-tribals-soni-sori/ | title = My aim in life is to get justice for us tribals | newspaper = Boom Live | date = 2016-05-09 | access-date = 2016-05-31}}</ref>

== Awards ==
On 18 May 2018, Soni Sori won the [[Front Line Defenders Award for Human Rights Defenders at Risk|Front Line Defenders Award]] for Human Rights Defenders at Risk. She was among five winners who won awards from their regions. Sori won this award for her on-going work towards justice for justice for the Adivasi community in the [[Bastar district|Bastar]] region of [[Chhattisgarh]], [[India]]. The other winners are Nurcan Baysal ([[Turkey]]), the LUCHA movement ([[Democratic Republic of the Congo|Democratic Republic of Congo]]), La Resistencia Pacífica de la Microregión de Ixquisis ([[Guatemala]]), and Hassan Bouras ([[Algeria]]).<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Aam Aadmi Party}}

{{Naxalite-Maoist insurgency}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sori, Soni}}
[[Category:1970s births]]
[[Category:Amnesty International prisoners of conscience held by India]]
[[Category:Women educators from Chhattisgarh]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian educators]]
[[Category:Indian human rights activists]]
[[Category:Indian prisoners and detainees]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Naxalite–Maoist insurgency]]
[[Category:Chhattisgarh politicians]]
[[Category:Aam Aadmi Party candidates in the 2014 Indian general election]]
[[Category:Crime in Chhattisgarh]]
[[Category:Indian victims of crime]]
[[Category:Aam Aadmi Party politicians]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian women politicians]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian politicians]]
[[Category:Adivasi activists]]
[[Category:Activists from Chhattisgarh]]
[[Category:Indian women activists]]
[[Category:Women in Chhattisgarh politics]]
[[Category:Adivasi politicians]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian women politicians]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian politicians]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian educators]]
[[Category:Educators from Chhattisgarh]]
[[Category:Adivasi women]]
[[Category:20th-century women educators]]
[[Category:21st-century women educators]]

Soni Sori - Revision history

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