Anshul Dutt & Co.
Criminal Litigation & Defence
Practice Area · 02

Criminal Litigation & Defence

Trial and defence work across general criminal law, bail, cheque-bounce, cybercrime, white-collar and economic offences, and specialised statutes such as POCSO and NDPS.

← All practice areas

Overview

The firm’s criminal practice covers investigation-stage advice, bail and anticipatory bail, trial and appellate defence, and complex regulatory and economic offences that increasingly straddle the line between civil and criminal liability. Matters range from a single cheque-bounce notice to multi-agency investigations involving the CBI, ED and SFIO, and the firm’s role typically spans early strategic advice, engagement with investigating agencies, and representation at every stage of the trial.

What this covers

01

General Criminal Trial & Defence

Defence and, where instructed, private complainant representation in criminal trials before Magistrates’ Courts and Sessions Courts under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Code of Criminal Procedure, from framing of charge through to judgment and appeal.

For example: Representing an accused through a Sessions trial on charges of criminal breach of trust arising from a business dispute.
02

Bail & Anticipatory Bail

Applications for regular bail, interim bail and anticipatory bail under Sections 438/439 CrPC (and their BNSS equivalents), argued before Magistrates, Sessions Courts and High Courts, often on an urgent basis where a client fears imminent arrest.

For example: Filing an anticipatory bail application the day a client learns an FIR naming them is likely to be registered.
03

Cheque Bounce / Negotiable Instruments (Sections 138/141)

Prosecution and defence of cheque-dishonour complaints under Sections 138 and 141 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, including statutory notices, compounding and settlement, and defence of company directors sought to be held vicariously liable.

For example: Issuing a statutory demand notice on behalf of a lender within 30 days of a cheque being returned unpaid, before filing a Section 138 complaint.
04

Cybercrime & Online Fraud (IT Act)

Advice and representation in offences under the Information Technology Act — hacking, data theft, online financial fraud, identity theft and obscene or defamatory online content — including coordination with cyber-crime cells and platforms for takedown and evidence preservation.

For example: Assisting a victim of a UPI-based phishing fraud to file a cybercrime complaint and pursue freezing of the fraudulent recipient account.
05

White-Collar Crime & Anti-Corruption (PC Act; CBI; ED / PMLA)

Representation in investigations and prosecutions under the Prevention of Corruption Act, and before agencies such as the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate in matters involving alleged bribery, disproportionate assets and money laundering under PMLA.

For example: Advising a public servant during a CBI preliminary enquiry into allegations of a disproportionate-assets case.
06

Economic Offences & Serious Fraud (SFIO / EOW)

Defence in large-scale financial fraud, cheating and criminal conspiracy investigations before the Economic Offences Wing of the police and the Serious Fraud Investigation Office, often running parallel to company-law and regulatory proceedings.

For example: Representing a company director summoned by the EOW in connection with allegations of diversion of investor funds.
07

POCSO & Offences Against Women and Children

Sensitive handling of prosecutions and defence under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and offences against women under the BNS, with particular attention to in-camera proceedings and the protection of complainant and child identity.

For example: Assisting a family in navigating a POCSO trial as the complainant’s counsel, coordinating with the Child Welfare Committee.
08

Narcotics & Psychotropic Substances (NDPS)

Bail applications, trial defence and appeals under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, including challenges to search and seizure procedure, compliance with Sections 42 and 50, and quantity classification disputes.

For example: Challenging the recovery procedure in an NDPS case where mandatory safeguards under Section 50 were allegedly not followed.
09

Customs, Excise & Smuggling (DRI)

Advice and defence in investigations by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence and Customs authorities into alleged undervaluation, misdeclaration and smuggling, including adjudication proceedings and appeals before CESTAT.

For example: Defending an importer in a DRI investigation alleging undervaluation of imported electronic goods.
10

Extradition & Cross-Border Crime

Advice on extradition requests, mutual legal assistance (MLAT) and INTERPOL Red Notices, coordinating with authorities in India and abroad where a client is a subject, witness or complainant in a cross-border criminal matter.

For example: Advising a client named in an INTERPOL Red Notice request on challenging its basis before the appropriate forum.
11

Specialised Statutory Defence (UAPA, Wildlife, Electricity)

Defence in matters under specialised penal statutes including the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the Wildlife Protection Act and offences under the Electricity Act, each carrying distinct procedural safeguards and evidentiary standards.

For example: Representing an accused in a bail application under the stringent conditions applicable to offences under the UAPA.

Related practice areas

Dispute Resolution & ArbitrationConstitutional & Public LawBanking, Finance, Insolvency & Capital Markets

Discuss a Criminal Litigation matter

Write to the firm with a brief note on your matter and a convenient time to speak.