Criminal law is one of the most dynamic and challenging fields of legal practice in India. A criminal lawyer defends or prosecutes a person accused of a crime ranging from minor misdemeanours to serious felonies. In India, criminal law covers a vast array of offences, ranging from theft, assault, murder, fraud, and corruption. Good criminal lawyers have vast knowledge about the law and can break down intricate situations, offer strategic consultation, and aggressively represent their clients in court.

Who is a Criminal Lawyer?

A criminal lawyer deals with crimes and those charged with them. He deals with the cases of clients and represents them in trials and appeals, guiding them through all the developments of the criminal justice system. A criminal lawyer needs to be an expert in Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (IPC), Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (CrPC), and other relevant laws. He searches case law, negotiates with prosecutors, and defends clients in court, among many more.

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Who are the Top Criminal Lawyers in India?

There are given some of the most famous criminal lawyers of India along with information on education, career success, salary, and a few landmark cases.

1. Ram Jethmalani (1923-2019)

• Education: at the age of 17 completed an LL.B. from Sindh Law College, now in Pakistan. Further, he also pursued his LL.M.

• Career: He started his career as a lecturer in Karachi and, after partition, went to India and started practicing law. He was famous for defending high-profile cases and political leaders and celebrities.

• Salary: Jethmalani reportedly was taking as much as INR 25 lakh per appearance.

• Achievements: The lawyer held several posts, including that of Union Minister for Law and Justice. Jethmalani was also a Member of Parliament several times.

• Prominent Cases: He was the lawyer for heavy-weight cases, including defense of Harshad Mehta in a case of scam in shares and bonds, Manu Sharma in the case of the murder of Jessica Lal, and is notable as a lawyer for L.K. Advani, who was accused in the Babri Masjid demolition case.

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2. Harish Salve

• Education: Salve first trained in Chartered Accountancy and then adopted the law profession. He has an LL.B. degree from Nagpur University.

• Career: Harish Salve is India's top criminal and constitutional lawyer. Moreover, he had also performed the duty of Solicitor General of India.

• Fee: The chargeable fee to appear in court for every case for Harish Salve is between INR 20 lakh to INR 30 lakhs.

• Achievements: He has represented India at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against the Kulbhushan Jadhav case, and is famous for the high-value criminal as well as constitutional cases.

• Notable Cases: He has represented Vodafone in the much publicized tax case amounting to INR 20,000 crore. Moreover, he has argued for Mukesh Ambani in the gas dispute case and has also appeared in all the cases associated with 2G spectrum.

3. Siddharth Luthra

• Education: Siddharth Luthra completed his law education from the University of Delhi and also holds a postgraduate degree from the University of Cambridge.

• Profession: Senior Advocate

• Experience: Luthra has served as the Additional Solicitor General of India. His practice areas include crimes, cyber crimes, among others.

• Fee: He commands a fee ranging from INR 10 lakh to INR 15 lakh per appearance.

• Achievements: He has handled several landmark cases, including corporates scams, murder on high-profile crimes and economic offenses.

• Notable Cases: He has appeared for cases such as the Nirbhaya case of gangrape, and has been leading counsel in the cases of 2G spectrum scam.

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4. Kapil Sibal

• Education: Sibal has done his LL.B. from Delhi University, thereafter completed LL.M. at Harvard Law School

• Career: Sibal is both a very accomplished lawyer as well as a politician. Sibal has served in a number of ministerial positions within the Indian government and is also a senior advocate in the Supreme Court.

• Fee: Sibal charges anywhere between INR 15 lakh to INR 20 lakh for every appearance.

• Experience: Sibal is known to be sharp-minded when it comes to legal affairs and has been a part of various criminal and constitutional law issues that were successfully dealt with.

• Major Cases: He represented Anil Ambani in the Reliance gas dispute case, and cases like the 2G spectrum scam and the Ayodhya land dispute are some of the examples he has been a part of.

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5. Indira Jaising 

• Education: Jaising has pursued her study of law from the Government Law College, Mumbai and further on acquired her LL.M. degree.

• Career: Jaising is one of India's great human rights lawyers known for work in constitutional law as well as for women's rights. She became India's first woman to be appointed as Additional Solicitor General in 2009.

• Salary: Indira Jaising charges between INR 5 lakh to INR 10 lakh per appearance.

• Successful works: She has been fighting for women's rights, and she was also instrumental in gaining the Domestic Violence Act, 2005. She received Padma Shri, one of the highest civilian awards in 2005 for her contribution to public affairs.

• Notable Cases: She represented Bilkis Bano in the gang rape case during the Gujarat riots, involved in decriminalization of Section 377-LGBT rights, and defended the rights of women in the Sabarimala case.

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6. K.T.S. Tulsi

• Education: Tulsi has a degree in law from Punjab University and further studies completed in India.

• Career: He is a Senior Advocate and has served as an Additional Solicitor General of India. A leading criminal lawyer, Tulsi has specialist experience with heavyweight cases involving serious crimes.

• Fee: He charges in the range of Rs 8 lakh to Rs 12 lakh for one appearance.

• Achievements: He is not only a successful lawyer but also a Member of Parliament who has contributed much to the Indian legal system.

• Notable Cases: He represented Salman Khan in the poaching case of blackbuck and also CBI in Aarushi Talwar murder case.

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7. Gopal Subramanium

• Education: Subramanium was a law student at Delhi University and subsequently underwent his law training in the UK.

• Career: Gopal Subramanium was Solicitor General of India, specialising in criminal law.

• Fee: He charges INR 12 lakh to INR 15 lakh per appearance.

• Achievements: With his contribution towards high profile cases, he has also undergone contributions to legal literature and judicial reforms.

• Notable Cases: He was the Special Public Prosecutor in the 2001 Indian Parliament attack case and was also a key figure in the 2G spectrum case.

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8. Fali S. Nariman

• Education: Nariman was educated at the Government Law College, Mumbai.

• Career: One of the most distinguished jurists in India, he is a senior advocate in the Supreme Court since the 1970s.

• Fee: Nariman charges between Rs 8 lakh to Rs 10 lakh per appearance.

• Achievements: Nariman has won many awards in relation to law contributions that also encompasses the Padma Vibhushan.

• Notable Cases: He has defended the firm of Union Carbide in Bhopal gas tragedy and has argued several landmark cases based on constitutional issues like the case of Kesavananda Bharati.

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9. Abhishek Manu Singhvi

• Education: Singhvi has his LL.B from Delhi University and Ph.D. from Trinity College, Cambridge.

• Career: A senior advocate and politician with appearances in criminal and civil cases, Singhvi is an Indian National Congress member.

• Fee: The fee for appearance by Singhvi is between 10 lakh and 15 lakh INR

• Achievements: Many high-profile cases have been represented successfully, and he has managed to maintain a balanced career of politics.

• Notable cases include the Aadhaar hearing and Sahara Group in its legal battles.

10. Karuna Nundy

• Education: She did her LL.B. from the University of Cambridge, followed by the Master of Laws (LL.M.) from Columbia Law School, New York.

• Career: Nundy is an international lawyer who practices in the Supreme Court of India. She specializes in constitutional law, media law, and commercial litigation. Nundy is known for her persuasive abilities in cases dealing with human rights and gender equality.

• Fee: Charges around INR 5 lakh to INR 8 lakh per appearance. This depends upon the case.

• Achievements: She featured in the list of "100 Next" from Time magazine of the world's next-generation leaders in 2021. Nundy was instrumental in drafting India's anti-rape laws and happens to be one of India's most visible voices on gender justice.

• Notable Cases: Nundy has handled many cases; included among these are a free speech case, an internet shutdown in Kashmir, and compensation in the Bhopal gas tragedy case for victims.

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Today, India has produced several of the world's best criminal lawyers who have defended or prosecuted in landmark cases that shape the legal landscape of the country. These top criminal lawyers have always depicted legal acumen, negotiation skills, and courtroom presence, hence becoming indispensable figures in India's judicial system. The outstanding success and contribution that such criminals have achieved continues to inspire another generation of lawyers in India. Crime will never end, and neither will the demand for criminal lawyers. These days, many universities offer customized criminal law courses to make sure that young lawyers have the correct expertise in this field of law. 

Top Criminal Lawyers in India FAQs

Q1. Who is the most paid criminal lawyer in India?

Harish Salve, who charges anything between Rs 20 lakh to Rs 30 lakh per appearance, is often quoted as one of the best in the country. 

Q2. Who are the top ten criminal lawyers in India?

According to several sources, the top 10 acclaimed criminal lawyers in India are Late Ram Jethmalani , Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Karuna Nundy, Fali S. Nariman, Gopal Subramanium, K.T.S. Tulsi, Indira Jaising, Kapil Sibal, Siddharth Luthra and Harish Salve

Q3. What are the eligibility criteria to become a criminal lawyer in India?

Only after completing their LL.B. degree, passing the All India Bar Examination, and getting registered with the State Bar Council can one become a criminal lawyer in India. Even further studies can be helpful along with LL.M. or specialization in criminal law.

Q4. What is the career path to becoming one of the top criminal lawyers in India?

Following the LL.B., candidates to criminal law often work beneath a senior lawyer or in a law firm. Good cases, prestige, and further education would also help one reach fame.

Q5. Does India have famous criminal lawyers who are women?

Yes, numerous women criminal lawyers in India have done great work. For instance: Indira Jaising is one criminal lawyer in India who was a part of certain landmark cases like the Bhopal gas tragedy and a strong human rights and gender equality activist.