Economic Offences

Comprehensive support for multi-forum disputes.

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CORPORATE LAW | TAX LAW | LITIGATION

White Collar Crimes

Our firm has a proven track record in handling intricate corporate white-collar crime cases. We diligently represent businesses and individuals facing allegations of fraud, embezzlement, insider trading, and other financial misconduct. With a strategic approach and extensive courtroom experience, we aim to safeguard our clients' interests and reputations.

BANK FRAUDS, NPAs, SECURITIES FRAUDS
Representing individuals and entities entangled in banking fraud cases, right from the stage of an account being stress-managed or being declared an NPA, building defence including forensic audit and counter-forensic audit approaches, expert opinions and other strategies, defences against securities fraud allegations, including insider trading, market manipulation, Ponzi schemes, etc.

CHEATING AND FORGERY
Defence against allegations of cheating, criminal breach of trust, forgery, falsification of accounts, and connected matters arising out of such offences including corporate fraud, banking and securities frauds etc.

INTERNET OFFENCES
Litigation and advisory support in allegations regarding online gambling and betting, hacking, cyber forgery, and frauds, besides other cyber, technology, and internet related offences.

TAX EVASION
Protecting client rights and remedies in investigations, penalties and prosecutions related to evasion of direct and indirect taxes and duties.

BENAMI PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS
Defending against allegations of the offence of benami property transactions under the Prohibition of Benami Property Transactions Act and the Indian trust law, assisting clients in navigating complex legalities surrounding such transactions and protecting their interests.

HAWALA, FOREIGN EXCHANGE, and ROUND-TRIP TRANSACTIONS
Providing advisory, regulatory and litigation support to clients regarding allegations of their transactions being hawala, illegal or irregular foreign exchange remittances, and round-tripping in nature.

INVESTIGATIONS
Handling multiple forum investigations, including ED, SFIO, CBI, EOW, Tax Departments, and Police investigations, besides others to ensure efficacious remedies for the client and its business.

LITIGATION AND CRIMINAL DEFENCE
Assertive representation in court, leveraging a deep understanding of courtroom procedures and strategies to secure efficient resolutions for our clients, at forums including special / lower courts, High Courts, Tribunals, and the Supreme Court of India.

Money Laundering

Understanding the grave implications of money laundering and PMLA allegations, our lawyers provide meticulous counsel to clients facing such charges. We diligently analyze financial transactions and build strong defences to counter money laundering accusations and ensure fair treatment in legal proceedings.

ED INVESTIGATIONS
Handholding clients through investigations conducted by the Enforcement Directorate in money laundering cases, litigation and advisory support related to investigations, investigations conducted in predicate/scheduled offences and other related cases.

ATTACHMENT PROCEEDINGS
Supporting the client through provisional attachment proceedings, confirmation proceedings before the Adjudicating Authority, appellate proceedings before the Appellate Tribunal, defending attached properties from confiscation and de-possession through remedies before courts, various High Courts, and the Supreme Court of India.

SEARCHES AND SEIZURES
Comprehensive litigation and advisory support in relation to search operations conducted by the ED and other predicate agencies, recording of statements, submissions in pursuance to searches, document and asset retention proceedings, and other post-search investigation issues.

ARRESTS AND BAILS
Litigation and advisory support in cases of arrests by the ED and predicate investigating agencies in money laundering cases, filing and arguing bail applications before the Special PMLA court, High Court or the Supreme Court of India.

MONEY LAUNDERING TRIAL
Effective representation of the accused persons before the Special PMLA courts across the country in money laundering trials, including cognizance, summons, charge and discharge proceedings, evidence, and core trial proceedings.

ADJUDICATING AUTHORITY AND APPELLATE TRIBUNAL
Proceedings before the Adjudicating Authority and Appellate Tribunal, New Delhi in cases involving retention of documents, appeals against attachment of proceeds of crime, and other proceedings.

HIGH COURTS AND SUPREME COURT
Filing and arguing various appeals, petitions, applications, including bails, writs, etc., before various High Courts and the Supreme Court of India for the protection of rights of the accused persons and obtaining timely relief.

Bribery and Corruption

Metalegal Advocates assists clients in compliance with anti-bribery regulations and representing them in cases involving allegations of bribery and corruption. Our proactive approach aims to mitigate risks and uphold ethical standards. We have substantial expertise in corporate corruption advisory, conducting internal investigations, and defending high-position executives before various courts and forums.

COMPLIANCE AND RISK MANAGEMENT
Assist clients in developing and implementing robust anti-corruption compliance programs, ensuring that clients stay on the right side of the law while promoting ethical practices throughout their organization.

BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION INVESTIGATIONS
Using skilled investigation skills to conduct impartial internal investigations to uncover any allegations of corruption or bribery within the client’s organization, preserving the integrity of client’s business and ensuring compliance with the law.

WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION
Protecting whistleblowers who come forward to report corrupt practices within the client’s organization, ensuring that they are safeguarded from retaliation and that their concerns are thoroughly investigated, building a thorough and well-suited whistleblower policy for the client’s business.

GOVERNMENT AND REGULATORY ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS
Defending client’s interests in actions by government anti-corruption investigating agencies including the Anti-Corruption Bureau of the State Police, CBI, Vigilance departments, Enforcement Directorate, and other agencies.

INTERNATIONAL ANTI-CORRUPTION COMPLIANCE
Assisting multinational companies and groups in navigating the complexities of international anti-corruption laws, ensuring seamless compliance across borders, coordinating with associates and network lawyers in other countries and jurisdictions to create a global anti-corruption policy framework for the client.

INTERNAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES REVIEW
Reviewing and enhancing clients’ internal policies and procedures to ensure they align with the highest ethical standards and best practices and match with the international anti-corruption and good corporate governance compliances and strategies.

CRISIS MANAGEMENT AND REPUTATION PROTECTION
Providing strategic counsel and representation, in the unfortunate event of a corruption-related crisis, to protect the client’s reputation and helping the business navigate through legal complexities, making available multi-pronged legal and expert advice on an immediate basis.

Cyber Crimes

With the rise of cyber threats, we offer specialized legal services in combating cyber-crimes. Our adept team is well-versed in both technology as well as law, addressing issues like hacking, data breaches, online fraud, and cyber-extortion, ensuring that our clients' rights are safeguarded in the digital realm.

CYBER FRAUD AND HACKING
Defending against cyber fraud and hacking allegations, leveraging our deep understanding of digital forensics and cybercrime laws to scrutinize electronic evidence, seeking expert opinion, building technological defences, and protecting client rights.

CRYPTOCURRENCIES AND VIRTUAL ASSETS (NFTs)
Protecting various rights of cryptocurrency and virtual assets (e.g., NFTs) businesses across multiple legal areas including taxes, foreign exchange laws, criminal laws, money laundering, etc. through a combination of legal and technological knowledge and experience.

IDENTITY THEFT AND DATA BREACHES
Offering a robust defence that focuses on protecting our clients' reputations and ensuring compliance with data privacy regulations, drafting, and reviewing internal information technology policies to effectively deal with identity theft and data breach situations.

INTERNET FRAUD AND SCAMS
Defending against internet-based fraud and scams, including phishing schemes, online financial fraud, and deceptive online practices, employing a blend of legal and technological expertise, developing policies to ensure regulatory compliances with such situations.

CYBER EXTORTION, RANSOMWARE, E-COMMERCE and ONLINE PAYMENTS
Addressing allegations of cyber extortion and ransomware attacks, navigating the complexities of e-commerce and online payment fraud cases, offering a defence strategy that encompasses both the technical aspects and the legal implications.

COMPUTER CRIMES
Defending individuals and entities accused of computer crimes, including unauthorized access, computer intrusions, and the unlawful use of computer systems, ensuring compliance with cybercrime laws and the Information Technology Act, 2000, Indian Penal Code, 1860 and other cyber and technology laws.

SOCIAL MEDIA MISCONDUCT
Guiding and defending cases related to social media misconduct, including cyberstalking and online defamation, with a focus on protecting online reputations and upholding the principles of free speech and privacy.

REGULATORY COMPLIANCE AND DATA PROTECTION
Assisting clients in navigating complex regulatory frameworks related to data protection and cybersecurity, ensuring adherence to laws and regulations such as GDPR and HIPAA and the recently enacted Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.

Searches and Investigations

We take pride in our distinguished expertise in managing searches and seizures conducted under diverse economic and tax laws, demonstrating an approach that is meticulous, thorough, and unwavering in the protection of our clients' rights and interests. Our team possesses an intricate understanding of search procedures, summonses, and statement recording, ensuring unwavering adherence to legal requisites and the principles of natural justice.

MULTIPLE AGENCY INVESTIGATIONS
We employ a strategic approach to handling multiple-forum investigations, recording of statements by investigating agencies, protecting the clients’ rights during such searches and investigations, facilitate the release of seized assets, addressing requisitioning matters with the utmost diligence and care.

VARIED EXPERIENCE
We have garnered an exceptional reputation for its adept handling of intricate investigations conducted by esteemed agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Economic Offences Wing (EOW), Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI), Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), and the Income Tax Investigation Wing, among others. Our specialization extends to multi-faceted investigations that frequently stem from high-value or large-volume cases, necessitating a legal team that is adept across diverse legal domains, possesses astute management and business acumen, and excels in interpersonal skills.

COMMITMENT
Our commitment to precision, legal compliance, and the safeguarding of our clients' rights is unwavering. Likewise, in complex investigations where multiple agencies are involved, our multi-specialty approach ensures a comprehensive and astute defence that considers the intricacies of various laws, the nuances of business operations, and the significance of effective communication and negotiation skills. Our track record attests to our dedication to securing the best possible outcomes for our clients in the most challenging legal scenarios.

Recent in Economic Offences

May 20
4 min

COURT RULINGS

PMLA Charges Persist Despite Approver Status in Predicate Offence: Bail Granted Due to Lack of Mens Rea and Procedural Compliance

Delhi HC grants bail in PMLA case, noting lack of direct involvement and mens rea.

May 14
11 min

INSIGHTS

Prosecutions under PMLA: Provisions and Key Issues

Exploring India's PMLA: A pivotal law against money laundering, blending procedure with enforcement.

May 13
3 min

COURT RULINGS

The Supreme Court Grants Interim Bail to the Petitioner Due to An Anomaly in the Documents Presented

SC grants interim bail in Sandeep Gupta v. ED due to document anomalies, ensuring due process.