Next Generation Partners

Firms To Watch: White-collar crime

ALMT Legal acts for individual and corporate clients, including multinationals operating in India, in domestic and cross-border cases relating to money-laundering, financial fraud, and tax evasion, with a successful record in trial settings. Sameer Tapia heads up the team from Mumbai.
Mansukhlal Hiralal & Company is active in domestic and cross-border financial and economic crime cases, including securities fraud, money laundering, and foreign investment-related matters. The team is led by Mumbai’s Bhushan Shah.

White-collar crime in India

AZB & Partners

AZB & Partners is noted for its end-to-end capabilities in a wide variety of white-collar cases, representing clients in internal investigations, regulatory actions, and full trials in allegations of bribery, money laundering, and corporate malfeasance. The team offers cross-border expertise, advising on actions taken by the US DOJ and UK agencies relating to the FCPA and POCA, among others, and is able to provide in-house corporate and employment support to major corporates across various industries. Key names in the practice include Vijayendra Singh, who has great experience in fraud and asset tracing, criminal investigations, and governance issues, forensic investigations specialist Soumit Nikhra in Mumbai, and litigator Rajendra Barot, who has represented a number of major clients before state and federal courts. Joining the firm from an in-house position in September 2022, Mumbai-based Ajay Upadhyay heads up the firm’s internal investigation and compliance team. Bengaluru-based Aditya Vikram Bhat is also noted for his expertise in agency investigations brought by the SFIO, ED, and CBI, among others.

Autres avocats clés:

Rajendra Barot; Nohid Nooreyezdan; Vijayendra Pratap Singh; Aditya Vikram Bhat; Ajay Upadhyay; Soumit Nikhra; Priyank Ladoia


Les références

Very experienced team providing excellent advice.

Aditya Bhat, leading the team advising us, is very experienced and business savvy.

Exceptional domain knowledge in white-collar crime, prompt, quality work, prompt and decisive, understand client challenges, willing to adapt, innovative in thinking, stretching oneself to meet client needs, well connected to provide resources across India.

Principaux clients

Amway India Enterprises Private Limited


Coastal Energy Private Limited


PWC India Private Limited


Cloudtail India Pvt. Ltd.


Amazon Seller Services Private Limited


B S R and Associates LLP


LSF10 Rose Investments S.à r.l.


US multi-billion-dollar PE firm


Signify Innovations India


Bharti Airtel


HSBC


Siemens


Q Investment


Bharucha & Partners

Bharucha & Partners maintains a strong record across the life-cycle of white-collar cases, working with a combination of major corporate clients and high-net-worth individuals on internal advisory and compliance issues, through to internal and regulatory investigations and criminal enforcement proceedings at federal and state level. The firm is able to represent in both defence and prosecution, and has expertise across bribery and corruption, fraud, and money laundering cases. Sonam Gupta in New Delhi, who combines great experience in high-stakes litigation with knowledge of internal governance and ethics issues, heads up the practice alongside Mumbai-based Sneha Jaisingh, who has a broad white-collar practice with particular success in cases before the SEBI and SAT. New Delhi-based senior associates Devansh Arya and Saumay Kapoor are also key members of the team, playing a leading role in major cases before state and federal courts.

Responsables de la pratique:

Sonam Gupta, Partner; Sneha Jaisingh


Autres avocats clés:

Devansh Arya; Saumay Kapoor


Principaux clients

Diageo Plc


Avantha Holdings Ltd.


Principaux dossiers


  • Representing Diageo Holdings Netherlands before the Bombay High Court and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act Appellate Authority while protecting Diageo’s security interests in proceedings under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 initiated by the Enforcement Directorate.
  • Representing Avantha Holdings Ltd. and other affiliates in proceedings arising out of allegations of fraud against the client and affiliates.
  • Representing a high-net-worth individual based out of Nagpur in multiple proceedings arising out of a case pertaining to the coal block allocation scam.

Khaitan & Co.

Khaitan & Co. represents a wide range of major clients, including Uber India, Microsoft, and an array of high-profile domestic clients, throughout investigations by the CBI, state-level authorities, and police forces, up to high-stakes cases before the courts. The team also handles internal investigations, as well as cross-border proceedings, and offers multi-industry expertise across bribery, corruption, money-laundering, and harassment cases, among others. Key names in the practice include Susmit Pushkar, an experienced litigator who regularly represents clients before state High Courts and the Supreme Court, Rajiv Bhatnagar, who also regularly handles trials relating to fraud and financial crime, and Mumbai’s Manavendra Mishra, who advises clients on regulatory investigations by domestic and global authorities, with particular strength in POCA and money laundering cases. Principal associate Ishan Khanna is a key name for anti-corruption and money laundering cases, and is notably active in the IT space.

Autres avocats clés:

Susmit Pushkar; Rajiv Bhatnagar; Manavendra Mishra; Ishan Khanna


Les références

Exceptional domain knowledge, understand client needs and expectation, meticulous and detailed in research and advice, offer pragmatic solutions, well-connected within legal community to offer support, and fully conversant with regional and local dynamics.

Principaux clients

Uber India


Usha Martin Limited


T K Elevator India Private Limited


Hindalco Industries Ltd


Flipkart Internet Private Limited


Aptech Limited


ICICI Home Finance Company Ltd.


Berger Paints India Limited


INOX Leisure Limited


Times Internet Limited


Microsoft Corporation (India) Private Limited


P.C. Financial Services Private Limited


Shree Baidyanath Ayurved Bhawan Private Limited


Howden Solyvent (India) Private Limited


Coda Payments India Pvt. Ltd.


Inox Wind Limited


Jagran Solutions


Infoblox Technical Support and Software Development Private Limited


Delhi Gymkhana Club Limited


Ogaan India Private Limited


Pearl Academy


Principaux dossiers


Kochhar & Co.

Kochhar & Co. has a geographically broad offering, representing a diverse range of corporate and individual clients in courts across India, as well as handling high-level investigations both domestically and internationally. The firm has expertise in fraud, corruption, government agency and police work, as well as data theft and asset tracing, working with major banks and global businesses. Experienced New Delhi-based criminal and fraud practitioner Rohit Kochhar leads the team alongside Gurgaon’s Krishna Vijay Singh, with both representing a wide range of major clients in cross-border fraud and financial crime cases. Also in Gurgaon, Manish Dembla handles internal investigations and corporate malfeasance cases, Pradyuman Sewar is noted for his work with the CBI and on economic crime matters, and senior associate Nachiketa Goyal represents clients in diverse industries in litigation and arbitration relating to corporate crime.

Responsables de la pratique:

Rohit Kochhar; Krishna Vijay Singh


Autres avocats clés:

Manish Dembla; Avichal Prasad; Pradyuman Sewar; Nachiketa Goyal


Les références

What sets Kochhar & Co. apart is their unwavering dedication to not only providing legal expertise but also cultivating a deep understanding of the intricate nuances within each case and coming up with out-of-the-box solutions.

Krishna Vijay Singh and Nachiketa Goyal exhibit a blend of expertise, strategic thinking, attention to detail, and their collaborative ethos truly differentiates them from the rest.

Great team. Very professional in their approach. Always trying to help resolve issues rather than take it for litigation, very considerate towards clients who may be going through a rough phase. Excellent human touch.’

Principaux clients

Avery Dennison


CMA CGM Asia Shipping Pte. Ltd.


Desmet Ballestra


Dow Jones & Company


Eli Lilly


Everonn Education


Falck


Ford


Maersk


Maersk Global Service Centres (India) Pvt. Ltd.


Optum


Regus Eversun Business Centre


Sohail Khan Productions


VSL Pharmaceuticals Inc.


Wells Fargo Bank


Principaux dossiers


  • Represented CMA CGM in a Special Leave Petition before the Supreme Court of India against the order of the Karnataka High Court dismissing the criminal writ petition for quashing of the criminal complaint filed by Union of India for alleged offences under various sections of the Indian Penal Code including sections 280 and 304A before Judicial Magistrate First Class-II at Mangalore (JMFC-II).
  • Represented VSL Pharmaceuticals Inc. and its directors in five separate revision petitions challenging the summoning order passed by the Ld. Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate in a criminal defamation complaint filed by Next Gen Pharma India Pvt. Ltd.
  • Representing a famous Indian actor and his production house before police in various states of India in investigations being conducted against Blue Fox for having induced public to invest in its schemes.

MZM Legal, Advocates & Legal Consultants

Boutique white-collar firm MZM Legal, Advocates & Legal Consultants supports a broad range of corporate and individual clients, including major banks and senior executives, throughout white-collar proceedings, ranging from advice on internal compliance and regulatory investigations, to representation in high-stakes criminal proceedings brought by Indian regulatory bodies, such as the CBI in both state and federal court. The team also supports clients in governmental prosecutions, and works with global clients on cross-border cases relating to bribery and corruption, brought under the FCPA and UK Bribery Act. The practice is led from Mumbai by Zulfiquar Memon, a highly experienced practitioner with a strong record in cross-border disputes relating to bribery, money laundering, and financial fraud, alongside Waseem Pangarkar, who combines litigation expertise with strategic advice to companies facing regulatory investigations, and Parvez Memon, also a key name for advice to boards on bribery, corruption, fraud, and embezzlement issues. Principal associate Chirag Naik is also highly active, representing executives and companies in criminal prosecutions, and offering standout cross-border litigation experience.

Responsables de la pratique:

Zulfiquar Memon; Parvez Memon; Waseem Pangarkar


Autres avocats clés:

Chirag Naik


Principaux clients

Resilient Innovations Private Limited


ICICI Bank Limited


National Spot Exchange Limited


Dun & Bradstreet Information Services India Private Limited


Kiran Rao


Bombay Fluid Systems Components Private Limited


Deinon Risk Services Private Limited


JSW


Principaux dossiers


  • Representing BharatPe in its criminal prosecution against its former MD.
  • Represented ICICI Bank Limited, its erstwhile President, and other Senior Managerial Officers before the Bombay High Court in obtaining an order of quashing of an FIR registered by the EOW.

Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co

Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co advises clients on internal investigations and compliance matters, as well as representing them throughout regulatory and criminal proceedings brought by law enforcement and government agencies. The team offers strong expertise across a wide range of anti-corruption and financial crime legislation, including the US FCPA, and is noted for its work in full trials as well as its dawn raid response capabilities. The team is led by managing partner Pallavi Shroff, a vastly experienced figure in the space with a successful record at trial, who advises a number of company boards on strategic compliance issues, alongside Nishant Joshi, also an accomplished white-collar litigator, and Alina Arora, a key name for corporate investigations, including multi-jurisdictional internal proceedings. Samarth Gupta has a notable specialism in handling internal investigations relating to private equity investors and industrial relations. All lawyers are based in New Delhi.

Responsables de la pratique:

Pallavi Shroff; Alina Arora; Nishant Joshi


Autres avocats clés:

Samarth Gupta; Aditya Mukherjee; Apurva Zutshi; Parth Singh


Principaux clients

Citibank (Citi)


Punjab National Bank


J.P. Morgan India Private Limited


HCL Technologies Limited and HCL Infosystems Limited


Twitter Communications India Private Limited


Honeywell Automation India Limited


Reebok India Company Ltd.


India Steel Summit Private Limited


U.S. Department of Justice – Office of Foreign Litigation


Tata Motors Limited


Samsung Display Noida Pvt. Ltd.


Shalimar Corp Limited


Pernod Ricard India Private Limited


JK Tyres and Industries Limited


United Breweries Limited


Biocon Biologics Limited


Citi Bank


Mantri developers Private Limited


Resilient Innovations Private Limited


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising Pernod Ricard India Private Limited on a defense strategy in anticipation of litigation.
  • Representing United Breweries Limited oin an investigation by the CBI and ED into the affairs of a major distributor in the alco-beverage industry of Maharashtra.
  • Representing Biocon Biologics Limited in relation to certain arrests (including an employee of the client) made by the CBI.

Trilegal

With expertise across areas including bribery and corruption, fraud, sanctions, and corporate investigations, the team at Trilegal represents major domestic and international businesses as well as executives, boards, and high-net-worth individuals in major litigation, as well as advising clients throughout regulatory proceedings brought by the CBI and other agencies. The team is able to handle cross-border proceedings, being heavily involved in DOJ and SEC investigations, and also has a strong presence across India, allowing it to handle cases involving state authorities and police forces. Disputes head Shankh Sengupta oversees the team, which also includes investigations and ESG specialist Kunal Gupta, Pallav Shukla, known for his work on money laundering and corruption cases in sectors such as IT, aerospace, and life sciences, and Anuj Berry, who regularly litigates before the Supreme Court as well as advising on complex cross-border corruption investigations. All lawyers mentioned are in New Dehli.

Responsables de la pratique:

Shankh Sengupta


Autres avocats clés:

Nitesh Jain; Kunal Gupta; Pallav Shukla; Anuj Berry


Les références

Great team of lawyers on all hierarchy levels.

Anuj Berry steers his practice with loose reigns and places trust in his employees. Intervenes when necessary and then always finds the right recommendations. Shows vast experience in white-collar crime topics and helps client to steer procedures in difficult times.

Principaux clients

Tata Projects Limited


AgustaWestland International Limited, UK


Piramal Enterprises Limited


DDPL Global Infrastructure Projects Private Limited


Unicorn Infra projects & Estates Pvt Ltd


Saffron Art Private Limited


Schmidt and Clemens


B.R. Taneja – Promoter and Founder of ISMT Limited


Azure Maple Power Private Limited


Egis India Consulting Engineers Private Limited


Hitachi Metals


RamkyEnviroEngineers Limited


Principaux dossiers


  • Representing Tata in a case of alleged bribery and conducted raids at the office premises of TPL.
  • Representing a NYSE-listed power-producing company in relation to a whistleblower allegation alleging false reporting of capacity installation to government authorities.

Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas

Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas works with major financial institutions, corporates, and senior executives on major criminal and regulatory matters, with a strong focus on internal investigations and responses to government investigations and enforcement actions, with capabilities in state-level cases throughout India, as well as working with global counsel on cases brought by international agencies such as the SEC, FCPA, and UKBA. The firm has expertise across various sectors, handling matters in areas including real estate, financial services, media, and intellectual property. Managing partner Cyril Shroff leads the team alongside experienced litigators Indranil Deshmukh, Ankoosh K Mehta, and Faraz Alam Sagar, who combine high-stakes litigation expertise with regular work on internal and government investigations, also working with government agencies on regulatory developments. Aviral Sahai is an up-and-coming name notable for his work with state police forces as well as federal enforcement bodies in white-collar cases across a variety of sectors. Principal associate Srinivas Atreya Chatti is a key up-and-coming name in the team, with broad litigation expertise. All lawyers mentioned are in Mumbai.

Responsables de la pratique:

Cyril Shroff; Indranil Deshmukh; Ankoosh Mehta; Faraz Alam Sagar


Autres avocats clés:

Aviral Sahai; Srinivas Atreya Chatti; Sarah Navodia; Lomesh Kiran Nidumuri; Kapil Arora


Les références

Diversity, strength of knowledge of sophisticated issues and ease of working are hallmarks for this firm.

They are responsive, well-versed in the topics that are needed and command an appropriate level of respect with our corporate stakeholders without being overbearing.

‘We get to work with quality lawyers who provide the appropriate work product.’

Principaux clients

MSC Agency (India) Private Limited


Former Managing Director, Bank of Baroda


An official of Sembcorp Energy India Limited


SBI Capital Markets Ltd.


DSK Legal

DSK Legal represents a broad range of corporate and individual clients, including high-net-worth individuals of significant public profile, in the full range of white-collar proceedings, including internal compliance, investigations, and full criminal trials. The team is able to handle proceedings brought by the CBI, SFIO, and state and local police forces, with a broad geographic presence across India, with expertise encompassing issues such as fraud and bribery, sexual harassments, corporate malfeasance, and insider trading. Leaders in the team include managing partner Anand Desai and Vikrant Singh Negi, experienced practitioners in the Mumbai office, and New Dehli-based Prashant Mishra, Prashant Pakhiddey, and Saleem Hasan Ansari. Other key team members in Mumbai include Ekta Tyagi, who has strong expertise in corporate investigations, and senior associate Pratik Thakkar, an accomplished litigator.

Responsables de la pratique:

Anand Desai; Vikrant Singh Negi; Prashant Mishra; Prashant Pakhiddey; Saleem Hasan Ansari


Autres avocats clés:

Ekta Tyagi; Pratik Thakkar


Les références

Vikrant Singh Negi handles most of our issues in the firm and is an excellent lawyer. He is balanced in his approach and always comes forward with sensible and meaningful advice.

Vikrant Singh Negi is aware of most issues in this space. Together with his team they are capable of handling all issues.

Principaux clients

Aditya Birla Group


More Retail Private Limited


Piramal Enterprises Limited


Mott Mcdonald


ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company Limited


Ares SSG


InterContinental Hotels Group India Pvt. Ltd.


Ruparel Real-estate Group


Mr. Aroon Purie, Chairman of TV Today Network Limited


Flipkart Internet Private Limited


Essilor India Private Limited


Mr. Hari Sankaran, former Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services Limited (IL&FS).


Blue Dart Express Limited


Motilal Oswal Financial Services Limited


Prama Hickvision India Private Limited


IndiaMart Intermesh Limited


Unimoni Enterprises Solutions Private Limited


Principaux dossiers


  • Representing Piramal Group in all aspects of litigation, including advising on legal strategy, conducting due diligence, responding to summons issued by ED, drafting, and filing of petitions and applications before the Bombay High Court, and appearing before the police and Bombay High Court and Sessions Court.
  • Representing Indiamart in all aspects of the litigation in State of Maharashtra, including advising on legal strategy, drafting, and filing of applications, petitions, replies, etc., appearing before the Adjudicating Officer under the IT Act and the Bombay High Court.
  • Representing ICICI, its directors, and key management employees in all aspects of the litigation, including advising on legal strategy, appearing before subordinating criminal courts, drafting, and filing of applications before the lower courts including the representations before the police station.

Economic Laws Practice

Economic Laws Practice handles a wide range of cases on behalf of corporate and individual clients, with standout expertise in FCPA and POCA cases. The firm represents clients in internal and regulatory investigations through to trials before state and federal courts, including matters brought by the ED, CBI, and international agencies, and has notable involvement in cases relating to public corruption, financial fraud, and the ongoing black money investigations. The team is led by Mumbai’s Naresh Thacker, an experienced litigator who also regularly advises corporate clients and boards on white-collar investigations and compliance. Mumtaz Bhalla in New Delhi is also a key practitioner, with a strong record in criminal trials.

Responsables de la pratique:

Naresh Thacker


Autres avocats clés:

Jitendra Motwani; Dinesh Pednekar; Mumtaz Bhalla


Principaux clients

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China


Switz International Private Limited and its Directors.


Atos India Private Limited


IndusLaw

IndusLaw represents clients throughout the life-cycle of white-collar proceedings, with bespoke internal investigations and criminal enforcement practices able to handle fraud, bribery and corruption, internal malfeasance, and financial crime proceedings. The firm acts for a number of major global corporates, domestic businesses, and investors, as well as boards and individuals in proceedings brought by the CBI, SFIO, and other state and federal regulatory agencies. The practice is led by Mumbai-based Amit Jajoo, who takes the lead on regulatory enforcement proceedings and criminal trials, alongside Bengaluru’s Avik Biswas, the go-to contact for internal investigations work. Also in Bengaluru, senior associate Rithika Reddy is a key figure in the investigations practice, with particularly strong knowledge of Indian and global anti-bribery legislation. Mumbai-based principal associate Nirav Parmar is an active litigator, representing clients in high-level misappropriation and financial fraud cases up to Supreme Court level.

Responsables de la pratique:

Amit Jajoo; Avik Biswas


Autres avocats clés:

Rithika Reddy; Arunima Kumar; Nirav Parmar


Les références

Avik Biswas and his team operate with a focus on the relationship. The team has a diverse set of achievers.

Relationship-driven approach that facilitates excellent output and growth.

The team is always available to understand the demand and look for a solution.

Principaux clients

DBS Bank India Limited


HDFC Bank Limited


Fujitsu India


Premji Invest


Pernod Ricard India


Ribbit Capital


Gates Corporation


InMobi Group


Unacademy


JM Financial


Mystifly Consulting


ICICI Lombard


Principaux dossiers


  • Represented Eastman Chemical Company following a whistle-blower complaint from an employee which alleged that a CXO-level employee of Eastman’s Indian subsidiary had engaged in the exchange of kickbacks and conduct amounting to conflict of interest, among others.
  • Represented Pernod Ricard India in a whistle-blower complaint against several employees (including senior level employees) alleging that they have engaged in, inter alia unauthorised production of Pernod Ricard’s products, irregular transactions with business partners, and suspicious inter-employee transactions involving large sums of money.
  • Representing J.C. Flowers Asset Reconstruction Company Private Limited in proceedings initiated by Directorate of Enforcement (under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (under the Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance, 1944) against ABG Shipyard and its properties and subsidiaries.

Law Offices of Panag & Babu

Specialist white-collar and investigations firm Law Offices of Panag & Babu represents a wide range of major corporate clients in regulatory investigations and criminal proceedings brought by domestic and international agencies, with notable experience of cross-border investigations relating to bribery, fraud, internal governance issues, and corporate policy violations, as well as litigation up to Supreme Court level. The team, led by veteran white-collar practitioner Sherbir Panag, also advises clients on internal policy and risk compliance, as well as crisis management, including dawn raid responses. Samudra Sarangi is also a notable name in the team, focusing on criminal litigation. The firm is based in New Delhi.

Responsables de la pratique:

Sherbir Panag


Autres avocats clés:

Samudra Sarangi; Vidhi Khanijow; Tanya Ganguli


Numen Law Offices

Numen Law Offices handles a wide variety of cases, representing individuals and businesses accused of corporate and financial fraud, antitrust violations, and money laundering, among others, with experience in interacting with agencies ranging from local and national police through to the CBI and SFIO. The team is led by New Dehli-based Arush Khanna, who specialises in cases arising from commercial disputes and insolvencies, and Mumbai’s Lakshmi Raman, an experienced figure in criminal trials and complex investigations.

Responsables de la pratique:

Arush Khanna; Lakshmi Raman


Les références

My experience working with Numen Law Offices has been of absolute delight. I was in touch with their partner, Arush Khanna, who handled my cases with a lot of passion.’

‘Arush Khanna’s expertise to deal with technical questions was impressive. Arush and his team instantly gained my trust by being so well-versed in such technical matters.

The turn around time of drafting and reviewing of documents was second-to-none. They have shown to us their eagerness to learn and expand.

Principaux clients

D K Madhukar


Kaleel Rehman


Liselotte Reddy


Principaux dossiers


  • Represented a client who was accused of economic terrorism under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act by NIA, Mumbai for conspiring and abetting the smuggling and circulation of high-quality counterfeit Indian currency of Rs. 2000/- notes from Malaysia.

Prosoll Law Inc

New Delhi-based Prosoll Law Inc has a strong record in complex white-collar litigation before local and national courts, acting for a variety of corporate and individual clients throughout the NCR. Clients include established businesses, start-up ventures, public institutions executives, and politicians, with the team demonstrating expertise across bribery, financial fraud, and corruption. The team is led by founding partner Harsh K Sharma, a vastly experienced litigator at trial and appellate level, corruption specialist Vaibhavi Sharma, who was promoted to partner in 2023, and Arit Benjamin, who focuses on corporate and commercial cases. Also promoted in 2023, principal associate Lakshya Parasher has a strong record in corruption and broad economic crime cases.

Responsables de la pratique:

Harsh K Sharma; Vaibhavi Sharma


Autres avocats clés:

Lakshyar Parasha


Les références

‘While dealing with them, I found entire team very professional and committed. The founder, Harsh K Sharma, has in-depth exposure to Cr PC Act and handles his cases very thoroughly. Could be trusted. Firm has been keeping abreast with latest technology leading to customer delight.’

‘I have broadly dealt with Harsh K Sharma and Vaibhavi Sharma. They thoroughly understand the case, do good research work and their indulgence in arguments are value based and result oriented.’