Dhyananjay Madwanna

Dhyananjay Jayashree Anil Madwanna is a young Indian advocate, techno-legal consultant, NGO founder and privacy law researcher. He is best known for his work in privacy protection and his authorship of a model law on Right to Privacy, Voyeurism and Cyber Security, which was introduced in the Indian Parliament as a Private Member’s Bill in 2025. He founded the World Anti Voyeurism Forum (WAVF), a non-profit organisation committed to safeguarding individual privacy.

Early Life and Education

Born and raised in Sangli city, Maharashtra, Dhyananjay completed his schooling and higher education in his hometown. He pursued his law degrees at N.S. Soti Law College, Sangli, affiliated with Shivaji University, Kolhapur, where he was a university rank-holder during his Master of Law (LL.M.) studies. In addition to his legal education, he holds degrees in B.A. (Economics), B.Sc. (Electronics). Furthermore, he holds a Diploma in Industrial Electronics Engineering (D.I.E.) from the prestigious Walchand College of Engineering, Sangli. Originally named Dhananjay, he officially changed his name to Dhyananjay.

Legal Career

Madwanna has been enrolled as an advocate with the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa since 2013. He is the founder of M/s. Dhyananjay Madwanna Law Firm, which provides legal services across diverse domains including civil, criminal, consumer, family, education, NGO, charity, intellectual property, cybersecurity and privacy law. He also serves as a techno-legal consultant. He has represented clients in cases involving major institutions and clients such as ICICI Bank, Jio Studios, Thomas Cook India Ltd., Kolhapur Municipal Corporation, Royal Families and several educational institutions. As a legal advisor, he has been on the panel of several civil construction companies. He has drafted legal contracts for acclaimed filmmakers. He is also the honorary legal advisor to Circle Square Productions, a Sangli-based media company. Madwanna has developed legal expertise in arms laws owing to his family background, his father Mr. Anil Madwanna, is a licensed Arms and Ammunition Dealer under the firm M/s. Brahmastra Armoury.

Social Contributions and Activism

Since his student days, Madwanna has been actively engaged in social causes. He has worked with several NGOs and played a prominent role as an RTI activist. He participated in consumer and student rights movements. Additionally, he briefly served as Assistant Editor for the weekly newspaper Rajmarg in Sangli. He is also the founder of the Kusteeveer Khashaba Jadhav Foundation and the co-operative financial institution M/s. Rajyog Finserve. He has also contributed to animal rights advocacy as a local member of People for Animals (PFA), India’s largest animal welfare organization. He has supported awareness campaigns and legal initiatives aimed at protecting animals.

World Anti Voyeurism Forum (WAVF)

Madwanna is the founder and chairman of the World Anti Voyeurism Forum (WAVF), a non-profit organization dedicated to privacy protection in the digital age. The Forum focuses on the Right to Privacy, fighting voyeurism, deepfake threats, AI-related privacy issues and non-consensual image abuse. WAVF works on setting privacy standards, offering voyeurism-free certifications, law reform proposals and support services for victims of privacy violations.

Book and Legislative Contribution

Madwanna is the author of the extensive, research-based book titled “YOU ARE BEING SECRETLY WATCHED with Model Law on Privacy - The Voyeurism (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Bill, 2024”, published by WAVF in January 2024. This book is the official publication of the Forum and is a testimony to years of self-driven, selfless, non-profit, voluntary research and advocacy by Dhyananjay Madwanna. According to experts, the well-researched, meticulously drafted, and ready-to-enact Bill provided in his book, as one of its chapters, has the potential to serve as a Model Law for countries worldwide. It can significantly influence global privacy legislation, serve the larger public interest, and contribute to nation-building. Notably, this readymade Bill, comprising around 161 sections and derived from his book, was introduced in the Parliament of India in 2025 as a Private Member’s Bill, an exceptional achievement among India’s approximately 22 lakh advocates. He has made extensive efforts to meet Members of Parliament, Ministers, Judges, Public Figures, Celebrities, Law Colleges, Universities, Journalists, Bureaucrats, Public Servants, News Channels, Politicians, Statutory Bodies, and NGOs to seek support for and introduce his authored Bill in Parliament. He frequently travelled to New Delhi to follow up on these activities and introduce the Bill. The entire project was personally funded by Dhyananjay, reflecting his unwavering commitment to the cause and his patriotism. If enacted, this would position India as the first country in the world to adopt such detailed and unique privacy legislation, setting a precedent for others. Therefore, the work of Mr. Dhyananjay Madwanna and the World Anti Voyeurism Forum (WAVF) is of national importance and serves as a powerful inspiration to common citizens, legal researchers, advocates, NGOs, leaders and countries.

Media Coverage

Madwanna has appeared in media segments including “The Legal Eagle – You Are Being Secretly Watched” on DD National’s Live Morning Show in April 2025. Moreover, he gave an interview on All India Radio (Akashwani Sangli), ABP Maja, Tv9 Marathi in 2025. Moreover, BBC Marathi has published his article on the Right to Privacy and Anti-Voyeurism in April 2025. His work has been featured in both electronic and print media prominently in Marathi media. He has delivered numerous guest lectures and participated in podcasts, interviews, and media discussions on legal and social topics. His writings have appeared in leading Marathi publications.

Philosophy and Personal Life

Madwanna draws inspiration from the ideology of the late Rajeev Dixit, founder of the Azaadi Bachao Andolan and the philosophical teachings of OSHO. A rationalist by belief, he is actively involved in rationalist movements. He firmly believes that advocacy is not merely about winning or losing cases, but about contributing meaningfully to the administration of justice and working constructively in the public interest.