Top Criminal Lawyers in India

The top criminal lawyers in India have secured their positions through rigorous education, an unwavering work ethic, and participation in cases that have influenced the nation's legal framework. Read further to know more.

Top 10 Criminal Lawyers in India

Creating a list of the top criminal lawyers in India involves considering their education, experience, important cases, and the impact they have on the entire legal system. Check some of the famous lawyers and their backgrounds below:

Ram Jethmalani

He completed his LLB from Mumbai University at the age of 17. Later, he also completed his LLM degree. He began his career as a lecturer however, after the partition, he came to our country and practiced law here. He was well known for taking high-profile cases. For each appearance, it is said that he used to charge as much as INR 10-20 lakh.

Some of the notable cases are:

• Indira Gandhi Assassination Case
• Harshad Mehta Scam
• Jessica Lal Murder Case
• Afzal Guru Case
• Haji Mastan Case
• Kanimozhi in 2G Scam

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Harish Salve

Salve did not choose law as his first choice. He got trained in Chartered Accountancy first and then he got into law profession. He completed his LLB degree from Nagpur University. He is not only a top-notch criminal lawyer but also a constitutional lawyer. He served as the Solicitor General of India from 1999 to 2002. He is one of the highest-paid lawyers in India. He reportedly charges between INR 6 to 15 lakh per appearance in court.

Notable Cases:

• Kulbhushan Jadhav Case
• Vodafone Tax Dispute
• Ambani Gas Dispute
• Constitutional Challenges
• Sardar Sarovar Project

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Gopal Subramaniam

Subramaniam holds expertise in constitutional, commercial and criminal law. He completed his LLB from Campus Law Centre, University of Delhi. He took his training from some of the known personalities like former Attorney General Soli Sorabjee. He served as the Solicitor General of India from 2009 to 2011. He charges INR 5 to INR 10 lakh per appearance.

Notable cases:

• Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid Case
• Vodafone Tax Case
• 2G Spectrum Case
• Entry of Women in Sabarimala Temple
• Amrapali Housing Case
  
  

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Fali S. Nariman

Nariman is a well known name in the legal world. He is known for holding expertise in  constitutional law. He completed his BA from St. Xavier's College, Mumbai. He completed his LLB from Government Law College, Mumbai. He was appointed as a Senior Advocate by the Apex Court in 1971. He served as the Solicitor General of India in 1975. He was nominated as a member of the Rajya Sabha from 1999 to 2005

Notable Cases

• Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973)
• SR Bommai v. Union of India (1994)
• Presidential Reference Case (1974)
• Arunachal Pradesh President's Rule Case (2016)

Indira Jaising

Jaising is India's human rights lawyer who has worked for women's rights. She is the first woman to be appointed as the Additional Solicitor General in 2009. She studied law from the Government Law College, Mumbai and later pursued her LLM degree. She charges between INR 5 lakh to INR 10 lakh per appearance. She was also awarded Padma Shri in 2005.

Notable Cases

• Bilkis Bano Case
• Bhopal Gas Tragedy
• Indira Jaising v. Supreme Court of India
• Sabarimala Temple Entry
• Decriminalisation of Section 377-LGBT rights

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Siddharth Luthra

Luthra is known for his contributions in several important cases, mainly in the areas of constitutional, commercial, and criminal law. He completed his BA in history from St. Stephen's College, University of Delhi. He then completed his LLM degree from University of Cambridge. There he specialised in International Law. He served as the Additional Solicitor General of India from July 2012 to May 2014.

Notable Cases

• Nirbhaya Case
• Aarushi Talwar Case
• Telecom Scam Cases

Abhishek Manu Singhvi

Abhishek Manu Singhvi is a very known Indian Lawyer and politician. He is known for both public and legal services. He completed his BA (Hons.) in Economics from St. Stephen's College, University of Delhi. He then completed his LLB from Faculty of Law, University of Delhi. Later, he pursued a Master's degree in Law from the University of Cambridge. There he specialised in International Law and Constitutional Law. Additionally, he holds a DPhil from the University of Oxford.

Notable Cases

• NJAC Case
• 2G Spectrum Case
• Vodafone Tax Case
• Presidential Reference on 2G
• Challenge to Aadhaar

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Kapil Sibal

Kapil Sibal is known as a famous politician and lawyer both. He worked as a senior advocate, minister, and legal advisor. He has completed his BA LLB from Faculty of Law, University of Delhi. He later pusued Master of Laws (LLM) from Harvard Law School. He has worked as Minister of Human Resource Development, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, and Minister of Law and Justice. Sibal charges INR 5 lakh to INR 20 lakh for per appearance in the court.

Notable cases

• Article 370 Abrogation
• Aadhaar Case
• Triple Talaq
• Right to Privacy
• Article 377

Karuna Nuddy
She did her LLB from University of Cambridge. Later, she did her Master of Laws (LL.M.) from Columbia Law School, New York. She is an international lawyer but practices in the Apex Court. For per hearing she charges around INR 5 lakh to 8 lakh. She played important role in drafting anti-rape laws.

Notable Cases:

• Arbitration Experience.
• Paytm petition to implement the TCCPR Rules and TRAI Act.
• 1984 gas disaster and toxic waste dumps in Bhopal.
• Marital Rape.
• Legalisation of Queer Marriage.
• Criminal Law Amendments 2013 (Anti-rape Bill)
• National Food Security Act, 2013 (Right to Food Act)
• Shreya Singhal v. Union of India.

Read More:

• CLAT
• AIBE XX 2025