Area of Practice

White Collar Crimes

The Practice

AQUILAW’s White Collar Crimes practice advises and represents corporates, promoters, directors, senior management and individuals in complex criminal, regulatory and enforcement matters. We regularly handle high-stakes and sensitive matters involving fraud, cheating, criminal breach of trust, corruption, money laundering, financial and corporate misconduct, cybercrime and other economic offences. Our experience spans investigations, prosecutions, internal investigations, regulatory proceedings, asset attachment and freezing, bail, quashing, trials and appellate proceedings. Our team represents clients before the Supreme Court of India, High Courts, trial courts and investigative and enforcement agencies, including in proceedings involving the Enforcement Directorate, Central Bureau of Investigation and other specialized Central and State agencies. Beyond white-collar matters, the practice covers the wider spectrum of criminal law, including criminal defamation, cyber and digital offences, offences against women and children, matrimonial disputes, cheque dishonour and proceedings under special and regulatory statutes. We have also represented Government and statutory authorities in significant criminal matters, writ proceedings, PILs and proceedings involving important questions of law and public interest.

Key Service Offerings

Strategic advisory and end-to-end representation in matters involving fraud, cheating, criminal breach of trust, corruption, money laundering, financial irregularities, corporate misconduct and other economic offences.
Representation and strategic assistance during investigations, summons, questioning, search and seizure proceedings, freezing of bank accounts and assets, arrests and other coercive measures by investigating and enforcement agencies.
Advisory and representation in proceedings under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and allied legislation, including attachment and confiscation proceedings.
Assistance to corporates and management in internal investigations, employee misconduct, fraud, whistle-blower complaints, compliance breaches and potential corporate criminal liability.
Representation before the Supreme Court, High Courts and trial courts in bail and anticipatory bail proceedings, quashing petitions, criminal writs, revisions, trials and appeals.
Drafting and filing criminal complaints before police authorities and Magistrates, assistance in registration and investigation of FIRs, and representation in relation to notices and proceedings under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
Advisory and representation in matters involving online fraud, impersonation, cybercrime, digital evidence, criminal defamation and unlawful online content, including takedown requests before intermediaries.
Representation in proceedings under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, NDPS Act, 1985, Factories Act, 1948, POCSO Act, 2012, Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 and other special and sector-specific statutes.

The Aquilaw Advantage

White-collar and criminal matters rarely exist in isolation. An investigation can simultaneously expose a client to criminal prosecution, regulatory action, asset attachment, commercial disruption and reputational risk. AQUILAW approaches these matters holistically and combines litigation strategy, regulatory insight, rigorous legal analysis and crisis response from the earliest stage of an investigation through trial and appellate proceedings. Our teams are equipped to respond swiftly to sensitive and high-stakes situations, while our multi-state presence enables coordinated representation across jurisdictions. Our focus is simple: anticipate risk, protect the client’s position and build an effective strategy from investigation to final resolution.

The team navigate and facilitate complex commercial deals within tight timelines and readily provide innovative commercial solutions to overcome negotiation hurdles.