Overview

Abhishek is a seasoned litigator who regularly appears before the Supreme Court, High Courts, and district courts across India, as well as arbitral tribunals (both ad-hoc domestic and institutional arbitrations). He advises and represents clients in commercial and criminal litigation, internet laws (with a focus on platform regulation and intermediary liability) and data privacy issues.

Abhishek also advises Indian and multinational corporations on corruption and wrongdoing, including conducting internal investigations.

Abhishek is a visiting faculty at the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, where he teaches a course on Platform Regulation and Intermediary Liability.

Experience Statement

• Successfully defended Google Pay in a writ proceeding alleging that the app violated regulatory and privacy norms under Indian law.
• Successfully defended a French government-owned renewable energy company in a multimillion-dollar proceeding instituted under the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) Rules.
• Successfully defended one of the leading business and employment-focused social media platforms in one of India’s first writ petitions filed by a user whose account was permanently suspended for violating the terms of service. Advising the same client in multiple civil proceedings and data privacy issues.
• Advised the Indian subsidiary of one of the world’s leading manufacturing companies in an internal investigation relating to complaints of bribery, systemic corruption, and integrity violations by ‘C-suite’ executives.
• Successfully defended one of the world’s largest renewable energy companies in criminal proceedings initiated against it alleging fraudulent transfer of shares and embezzlement of funds.

Overview

With a career spanning a decade, Anshul specializes in dispute resolution, with a focus on corporate and commercial disputes, insolvency & bankruptcy matters, arbitration, litigation, and ADR. Anshul's extensive experience encompasses a wide array of legal domains. He has represented clients in both domestic and international jurisdictions, earning a reputation for his strategic prowess and tenacity in complex legal matters.

Having appeared before 45+ Courts/Tribunals/Forums across India and abroad, Anshul has established himself as a formidable presence in the litigation arena. Notably, he frequents the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India and various High Courts, including the High Court of Delhi, Bombay, Punjab & Haryana, Gujarat, Telangana, Rajasthan and others.

Anshul's client portfolio boasts leading multinational companies, banks, financial institutions, and non-banking financial companies, for whom he advocates before arbitral tribunals as well as judicial and quasi-judicial forums such as the National Company Law Tribunal, Debt Recovery Tribunal, and the National Green Tribunal. Anshul combines profound expertise with a relentless commitment to achieving optimal outcomes for his clients.

Experience Statement

• Resolution Professional of ‘Corporate Power Limited’: Successfully argued before the Supreme Court of India, establishing precedent on the applicability of the Limitation Act to the Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code, shaping the legal landscape for future cases in this domain.
• Committee of Creditors of Reliance Capital: Secured crucial ruling from the NCLAT regarding the powers of creditor committees in negotiations and resolution plan considerations, enhancing clarity and efficacy in insolvency proceedings.
• Kroll Inc., USA: Representing the global risk advisory firm in a cross-border dispute involving interpretation of international treaties and signatories being India and the US.
• Sustainable Projects Development Association: Successfully represented the Association of wind and solar power companies in a constitutional challenge to the electricity regulations concerning deviation before the Delhi High Court.
• Honda Cars India Limited: Representing the reputed car manufacturer in a constitutional challenge to motor vehicle taxation laws before the Rajasthan High Court.

Overview

Astha Nigam is a seasoned practitioner in the Dispute Resolution practice at the Firm, with over a decade of experience in corporate and commercial disputes, regulatory disputes, white collar crime disputes, and arbitration disputes. She specializes in litigation and dispute resolution across diverse sectors, including banking and finance, insolvency, regulatory affairs, infrastructure, administrative issues, and white-collar crimes.

Astha has represented a wide range of clients, both Indian and multinational, across various forums, such as the Supreme Court, High Courts, NCLAT, NCLT, DRAT, DRT, Electricity Commissions, APTEL, quasi-judicial tribunals, and domestic and international arbitration panels.

She has managed high-profile cases, including pioneering cases of mismanagement, and has successfully secured favorable outcomes in numerous commercial arbitration matters. Additionally, Astha has adeptly handled complex insolvency issues, achieving positive results for her clients. She has also achieved favorable rulings from APTEL and various Electricity Commissions on behalf of her clients.

She was recently interviewed by Super Lawyer, emphasizing the importance of meticulous preparation, effective communication, and strategic negotiation in their legal practice.

She has also authored an article on the revised criminal laws, including the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and Bhartiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) which came into effect on July 1, 2024, restructuring offenses, introducing new definitions, increasing penalties and addressing issues such as sedition, organized crime and terrorism, published on Legal Era.

Experience Statement

• Representing various companies and Individuals before the Benami Tribunal, involving drafting of the petition, appearances and compliance of the provisions of the Prohibition of Benami Property Transaction Act, 1988.
• Representing JK Fenner (India) Limited before APTEL.
• Representing individuals against Delhi Public Gambling Act, 1955, the Public Gambling Act, 1867 and other relevant gambling and betting regulations and anti-gambling provisions under the Indian Penal Code, 1860.
• Representing India Power Corporation Limited, one of the leading power generation and distribution of power company, in an Arbitration pertaining to contractual disputes amounting to INR 4000 Crore.
• Represented M3M India against whom Insolvency was invoked under Section 7 and 9 of the Code and also represented in an Arbitration pertaining to contractual disputes amounting to INR 250 Crore.

Overview

Kedar Sharma is a Partner at Luthra and Luthra Law Offices India. He is working in the firm since 1998 and have 24 years of post-qualification experience. He specializes in the areas of General Corporate, Real Estate, Regulatory, Private Client Practice and Compliance. He has conducted a large number of legal / corporate due-diligence and possesses extensive experience in handling and liaison with the Governmental and Regulatory Authorities. He has often worked or liaison with the officials of Ministry of Finance (MoF), Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Department of Telecommunication (DoT) and various other Ministries & Govt. departments for various clarification / approvals / licences etc.

Monalisa Kosaria, Partner at Luthra and Luthra Law Offices India, is an Advocate-On-Record at the Supreme Court of India. She holds extensive expertise in handling high-stakes, complex, and sensitive commercial matters spanning construction, real estate, insolvency, arbitration, taxation, electricity, intellectual property rights, mining, and food regulation.

She also specializes in election and gaming law and has provided counsel to emerging businesses within the fintech sector. With over a decade of experience, she has represented a diverse range of clients before various judicial and quasi-judicial forums, including the Supreme Court, High Courts, Arbitral Tribunals, Company Tribunals (NCLAT & NCLT), APTEL, PMLA, AFT, Consumer Courts, and DRT, among others.

Overview

Ritu Bhalla is a Partner in the dispute resolution practice of the Firm. In her career spanning over 3 decades, she has gained extensive experience in corporate commercial disputes, arbitration matters and specialises in litigation and dispute resolution in areas such as banking & finance, insolvency, regulatory, infrastructure, administrative, white-collar, etc.

She has represented both Indian and multinational clients in various fora including Supreme Court, High Courts, NCLAT, NCLT, DRAT, DRT, quasi-judicial tribunals, domestic and international commercial arbitrations, and has also led teams in undertaking investigations and legal forensic assignments.

She has handled high stake matters and has represented clients in several commercial arbitration matters, successfully obtaining favourable awards for her clients. Ritu has also advised clients on critical litigation strategies.

Samarjit G. Pattnaik has been a distinguished practitioner in dispute resolution since 2002, with a broad expertise in managing a diverse range of legal matters. He specializes in commercial litigation, white-collar crime, arbitration, and various specialized statutes. With over two decades of experience, Mr. Pattnaik has been a key figure in the litigation landscape, handling high-profile and contentious cases across multiple jurisdictions, including before the Supreme Court of India, High Courts in various States, and specialized quasi-judicial Tribunals. He spent over 2 decades as a Partner at his previous stint, where he led the white-collar crime and commercial dispute resolution practices. His approach provides end-to-end client service, encompassing everything from strategic advice and case planning to representing clients and personally arguing cases in court, tailored to their specific needs.

For white-collar practice, he regularly advises clients on numerous strategies, while dealing with anti-corruption and white-collar issues and has been representing clients in matters pertaining to the Economic Offences Wing, Central Bureau of Investigation, Serious Fraud Investigation Office and Directorate of Enforcement. For over two decades now and with his team has successfully represented domestic as well as international clients.

Samarjit has extensively appeared in various Courts & Tribunals in India with regard to Criminal proceedings pertaining to frauds, misappropriation, breach of trust, money laundering, data theft, cyber-crimes, defamation, other economic offenses & Civil/Commercial Proceedings pertaining to MSME Act, Arbitration Act, CPC, Consumer Disputes, Intellectual Property etc. He has also conducted trials of complex criminal cases both as counsel for the complainant/assisting Prosecution and counsel for accused. Additionally, he has also handled cases under Prevention of Corruption Act, Drugs and Cosmetics Act, SEBI Act, IPC/BNS, Copyright Act etc Negotiable Instruments Act, Prevention of Money Laundering Act, IT Act, and has also conducted internal investigations for various clients.

Experience Statement

• Successfully obtained stay of proceedings initiated against India TV & its Chairman Mr. Rajat Sharma in a criminal defamation complaint filed by a Retd. District Judge.

• Successfully obtained bail for the Head of Operations of M/s GVK EMRI in a case related to the Prevention of Corruption Act being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation.

• Represented Mr. Suresh Nanda in the famous BMW hit and run case.

• Successfully represented Chairman and Directors of Price Water House Cooper in various litigations.

• Successfully represented the Chairman and Managing Director of Mankind Pharma Limited in the proceedings initiated under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.

• Successfully defended the Chairman and Board of Directors of M/s Piramal Enterprises Limited in proceedings arising out of Drugs & Cosmetics Act, Indian Penal Code etc.

• Successfully represented Yes Bank and its Board of Directors in the “Cobrapost” scam commonly known as Operation Red Spider.

• Successfully represented New York Police Department Officer and secured quashing of FIR registered against him, who was detained at IGI Airport, Delhi for possession of live bullets.
  • Received a ‘Letter of Appreciation’ from the New York Police Department.

Overview

Sanjeev has worked in many fields of law and his experience of over twenty-five years extends to virtually all aspects of litigation, dispute resolution and arbitration. Sanjeev has extensive experience in both domestic and international jurisdictions. He looks after the dispute resolution practice and possesses vast experience in corporate and commercial disputes, insolvency & bankruptcy matters, litigation and ADR.

Sanjeev specializes in civil law, arbitration, alternate dispute resolution, environmental law, labor law, criminal law, more particularly white-collar crimes, international crime syndicates, extradition and frauds and is also proficient in cross border enforcement of decrees and awards. He has extensively advised on debt recovery, banking and financial issues, commercial and corporate disputes and real estate in various Courts all over India as well as before Arbitral Tribunals and other Tribunals.

Experiment Statements

• Successfully defended global forensic auditor firm – Kroll and its Directors in a landmark criminal proceeding with far-reaching implications spanning the realms of insolvency law and criminal jurisprudence.
• Acted for Resolution Professional in the CIRP of Educomp Infrastructure Solutions and Marketing Limited and Corporate Power Ltd.
• Successfully represented Aditya Birla Finance in a precedent-setting case before the Calcutta High Court, affirming the validity of unilateral arbitrator appointments, thereby contributing to the evolution of arbitration jurisprudence.
• Represented Welspun Energy (UP) before the National Green Tribunal, ensuring adherence to environmental laws in the establishment of a 1320MW Thermal Power Plant, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable development.
• Acted for Committee of Creditors of Reliance Naval & Engineering Ltd., and Reliance Capital before NCLT, NCLAT and Supreme Court.
• Appearing for key accused in the high-profile political criminal cases such as the Common-Wealth Games Scam and the 2G Telecom Scam (representing Swan Telecom).
• Acted for Mauritius Commercial Bank in one of the first matters at NCLT, Mumbai for CIRP based on a Corporate Guarantee. Also acting for the Bank seeking damages as well as criminal proceedings before the EOW, Mumbai.
• Successfully represented and advised Infrastructure Leasing & Finance Ltd., in several employment law matters.

Overview

Shikher has demonstrative career with experience of almost a decade at the Bar. He specializes in advising clients on a wide variety a legal issues. Shikher has enabled various companies to establish themselves, especially where there is a lack of proper regulatory regime. Shikher regularly appears before the Supreme Court of India, Delhi High Court (till date he has appeared before 8 High Courts), districts courts and various tribunals.

At the firm, Shikher has advised and represented some of the most prominent corporates which include Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt. Ltd., Renault Nissan Automotive India Ltd., ANI Technologies Pvt. Ltd. (Ola Cabs), Twitter Communications India Private Limited, M/s Fashnear Technologies Pvt. Ltd. (Meesho), Rebel Foods Pvt. Ltd. (Foodpanda), In-shorts Group, Star India Pvt. Ltd., Dish TV India Ltd., etc.

Experience Statement

• Represented former promoter group comprising of KAL Airways and Mr. Kalanithi Maran against SpiceJet Limited and its promoter Mr. Ajay Singh (M/S KAL Airways Ltd. & Anr. v. Spicejet Limited & Ors.). KAL Airways and Mr. Kalanithi Maran initiated arbitration proceedings citing various breaches / non-compliances with the terms of the Share Sale & Purchase Agreement by SpiceJet and Mr. Ajay Singh.
• Representing Crystal Crop Care Protection Ltd. in a complex criminal prosecution launched by CBI, Gandhinagar and Directorate of Enforcement (ED) in relation to alleged fraudulent claim of Terminal Excise Duty running into crores of rupees. Recently, the Adjudicating Authority, PMLA, had passed an order confirming the provisional attachment order whereby ED had attached properties worth crores of rupees. Shikher has successfully obtained a stay on the order passed by the Adjudicating Authority, PMLA. The case is currently pending adjudication before the Hon’ble High Court of Delhi.
• Represented Philips India Ltd. (Mr. Mehul Kamik of Philips India Ltd.) successfully in a pending Common-Wealth Games matter (CBI case) before the Special Judge, CBI. Shikher representing the accused on behalf of the Firm and was successfully able to seek discharged of the accused. This was the first occasion where a CBI Special Court had discharged an accused in the Common-Wealth Games scam, purely on merits.
• Advising Twitter India regularlyin relation to various compliances under the regime of the IT Act as well as the recently framed Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digit Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. Apart from this, Shikher has also assisted the clients in strategizing and formulating responses to the notices (for e.g., Notice issued u/s 91 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, take-down notice issued by various law enforcement agencies, etc.) to the client.

Overview

Shinoj is a dual-qualified attorney, qualified in India and England & Wales. He has extensive experience in key financial centers of London, New York, Dubai, Mumbai and New Delhi, working on domestic and cross-border M&A transactions and private equity investments. He has acted on both sell and buy-side mandates. Over the last 18 years of his practice, he has advised on transactions with a cumulative deal value of over USD 40 billion.

His practice focuses on corporate transactions, particularly M&A; joint ventures, corporate finance (equity and debt investments); commercial dispute resolution (shareholder disputes, post-closing pricing disputes in M&A); employment matters, governance issues and internal investigations in matters related to anti-bribery & anti-corruption and FCPA & UKBA compliance).

Shinoj’s diverse and global experience gained at Linklaters and Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton has helped him understand clients’ business and commercial objectives, to advise and implement legal strategies to achieve their objectives most optimally.

Shinoj is closely associated with industry associations like the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) and Invest India; advising them on ways to promote FDI in key sectors like Infrastructure, Manufacturing & Retail and E-commerce. Additionally, he is also a member of the India-Jersey Advisory Group advising the States of Jersey government on its interactions with the Government of India.

Shinoj regularly lectures at law universities like the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore and National University of Juridical Sciences (NUJS), Kolkata. His analytical writing and comments are published in both national and international peer-reviewed journals and industry publications like IFLR, IBLJ, IBA Asia Pacific Journal, The Mint and The Hindu Business Line.

Experience Statement

• Advised Anhui Conch Cement Company Limited, China’s largest cement manufacturer on its bid to acquire Lafarge’s cement manufacturing business in North India.
• Advised British Telecom on its USD 90 million acquisition of an Indian telecom company and start its outsourcing operations in India.
• Advised DoIT Smart Hospitality (India) Private Limited on its USD 15.23 million acquisition of the Ambience Hospitality Management Private Limited and its subsidiary which runs The Palms Town and Country Club.
• Advised Everstone on its USD 52 million acquisition of Aon Hewitt’s payroll processing business through a combination of share and asset purchases in India, China, Singapore and Philippines.
• Advised Multiples Private Equity on its USD 35 million investment in Delhivery.

Suprio’s career spans over 30 years, in diverse settings. He started his career with United Nations before moving to academics, then in-house and finally transitioned to private practice from general counsel practice of more than 2 decades.

Suprio’s focus areas of practice are mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, private equity, general corporate and commercial matters, intellectual property, technology, media & telecommunication, labour & employment, ESG, real estate, anti-corruption & compliance, data privacy and litigations/dispute resolution for clients across the sectors such as pharmaceuticals, life sciences, healthcare, technology, media, entertainment, telecommunication, energy and real estate, etc.

Experience Statement

• Advised Board of the listed companies of Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, Schneider Electric India, Honeywell JVs in India.

• Advised Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories in M&A and business deals with Wockhardt, UCB, Astra Zeneca, etc and Securities Class Action, Anti-trust litigation and Pricing litigations in the USA and India.

• Advised Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories and Glenmark Pharmaceuticals in pharma statutory compliances, FCPA compliances and data privacy compliances.

• Advised Glenmark Pharmaceuticals in prosecution matters with the Dept. of Justice, USA and IP class actions in USA.

• Advised Schneider Electric in power and renewable energy projects both in utility and solar sectors.

• Advised Honeywell in SEZ related matters, real estate deals, global integration in various acquisitions and technology transfer to NAL and other aerospace commercial deals.

• Advised GE and Honeywell in cross border IP transactions, technology transfer, patent protection, licensing, anti-counterfeit strategy & actions and statutory compliances.

• Advised the Government of India in legislative drafting, profit sharing model for CSIR laboratories, IITs and IISc.

Overview

Vivek K. Agarwal is a Partner with Luthra and Luthra Law Offices India with over 15 years of diversified experience and has dealt with clients across continents and specializes in dealing with wide array of legal and associated business issues and offers solutions to business and legal needs of clients. He has the experience of advising on wide range of corporate legal matters including advising on India entry/ set-up and exit/ insolvency, corporate governance issues, restructuring, joint ventures, mergers, acquisitions.

Vivek has extensively dealt with various ministries and departments of the Government of India including the Department of Economic Affairs, Department of Revenue, Ministry of Corporate Affairs and Reserve Bank of India and has also been a contributor to the Government in its efforts to bring about changes in policies and business landscape in India from an ‘Ease of Doing Business’ perspective. He is also a regular contributor to the World Bank in conducting its ‘Ease of Doing Business’ study in India.

Vivek has advised various multinational as well domestic clients in areas of corporate and commercial laws and has helped a number of clients’ set-up their India presence and strategize their business closure and India exit and also on obtaining relevant government approvals. His experience brings in a mix of effective implementation strategy and legal expertise and he strives to deliver the best solution to clients with his practical approach and efforts to balance risk with desired client objective.

Experience Statement

• Acted at the behest of one of the largest steel manufacturers in the world in its acquisition of the distressed steel business of the Essar group in India under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.
• Assisted the monitoring agency in negotiations and implementation of the resolution plan of an Indian listed steel major in acquisition of another listed entity in the steel business under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.
• Assisted in completing the acquisition of the shares of the Indian subsidiaries of a leading identity management solutions provider in the United States following which the acquirer became the world leader in biometric identity solutions.
• Assisted a Chinese business house in completion of their asset and business acquisition of Brakes business units from a premier supplier of automotive chassis products to OEMs in the U.S., Europe and Asia.
• Assisted in setting-up of the successful venture which holds the exclusive right to organize and stage the hugely successful ‘Pro-Kabaddi League’.