A good criminal lawyer not only understands the legal system but is also adept at using it to his/her client's advantage. In this article, we will explore who holds the title of India's No.1
Regarding criminal cases in India, having a skilled and experienced lawyer can make all the difference in the world. Criminal Lawyer, and introduce some of the most talented and successful legal professionals in the field.
Who is India’s No.1 Criminal Lawyer?
India has several eminent and accomplished criminal lawyers, each with a unique style and expertise. However, one name that stands out in the legal fraternity is Ram Jethmalani.
Jethmalani, who passed away in 2019, was an experienced lawyer and former Union Law Minister known for his sharp wit and fearless advocacy. In some of the most complicated criminal cases, he represented high-profile clients like Amit Shah, Lalu Prasad Yadav, and Jayalalithaa.
However, there has been no consensus on who can replace his legacy and hold the title of India’s No.1 Criminal Lawyer since his passing.
Some of the lawyers who are considered contenders for the title are:
- Harish Salve
- Mukul Rohatgi
- Gopal Subramanium
- Kapil Sibal
- Fali S. Nariman
Each of these legal professionals has unique expertise and has successfully handled high-profile cases. Let’s take a closer look at each of them.
Harish Salve
Harish Salve is a senior advocate representing clients in several high-profile cases. He has worked as the Solicitor General of India and is known for his expertise in international arbitration and commercial litigation. He has also appeared in several constitutional and civil matters.
Mukul Rohatgi
Mukul Rohatgi is a senior advocate previously serving as the Attorney General of India. He has represented clients in high-profile corporate fraud, tax evasion, and criminal conspiracy cases. He is known for his sound legal knowledge and meticulous preparation.
Gopal Subramanium
Gopal Subramanium is a senior advocate serving as India’s Solicitor General. He is known for his constitutional and administrative law expertise and has appeared in several high-profile cases in India. He is also known for his commitment to public service and pro bono work.
Kapil Sibal:
Kapil Sibal is a senior advocate and former Union Law Minister who has represented clients in several high-profile cases. He has appeared in corporate fraud, telecom, and constitutional law matters. He is also known for his political involvement and activism.
Fali S. Nariman
Fali S. Nariman is a senior advocate who has appeared in several landmark cases in India. He is known for his constitutional law, administrative law, and commercial litigation expertise. He has also served as a member of the Rajya Sabha and recipient of the Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan awards.
Notable Cases Handled by Jetmalani
- He had represented Satwant Singh and Kehar Singh, both convicted for the assassination of the late prime minister Indira Gandhi.
- Jethmalani also represented the convict V Sriharan alias Murugan in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case. As recently as May 21, 1991, he sparked controversy by stating that the suicide bomb attack that killed the former prime minister was not an act of violence against the country.
- It was he who represented Harshad Mehta in the stock market fraud case.
- As a lawyer, he defended underworld don Haji Mastan in cases involving smuggling.
- In the Havala scam, he argued on behalf of senior BJP leader LK Advani. Jethmalani recently claimed that Advani had won the Hawala case because he had appeared on his behalf.
- Jethmalani also represented Manu Sharma, who was convicted of murdering Jessica Lall.
- He represented Amit Shah in several fake encounter cases, including the case involving Sohrabuddin Sheikh.
- Kanimozhi has hired Jethmalani to represent her in court as part of her investigation into the 2G scam.
- Jethmalani appeared to have bailed out 72-year-old Asaram, who had been accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl in his ashram in Jodhpur.
- In the disproportionate assets case, he argued in favor of AIADMK leader and Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Jayalalithaa.
- Former Karnataka chief minister BS Yeddyurappa was defended by Jehthmalani in an illegal mining case.
Also, Read: