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Mumbai, India’s financial capital, is a city where high-stakes business, politics, and diverse communities create a complex legal environment. In such a fast-paced city, criminal cases often demand swift, strategic, and highly skilled legal intervention. Whether it is a bail application, white-collar crime, NDPS matter, cheque bounce case, cybercrime, or serious offences like murder, having the right criminal lawyer can be the difference between acquittal and conviction.

This guide brings you the top 10 criminal lawyers in Mumbai, carefully selected for their expertise, success rate, and reputation for delivering justice. We also introduce how Patrons Legal, with its network of seasoned criminal defence advocates, offers unmatched legal services for clients facing complex cases in Mumbai and beyond.

Why You Need the Best Criminal Lawyers in Mumbai

Criminal law is not just about knowing the statutes – it is about understanding courtroom strategies, anticipating prosecution moves, and presenting a case persuasively before the judge. Mumbai’s courts, including the Bombay High Court and various Sessions and Magistrate courts, see a wide variety of criminal matters, such as:

• Bail & Anticipatory Bail Applications

• White-Collar Crimes & Corporate Fraud

• NDPS (Narcotics) Cases

• Cheque Bounce Matters under Section 138 NI Act

• Cybercrime & Data Theft

• Cases under IPC for Assault, Theft, or Murder

• Economic Offences under ED & CBI Investigations

The right lawyer will not only defend your rights but also ensure that your case is handled efficiently, keeping your personal and professional reputation intact.

Top 10 Criminal Lawyers in Mumbai

Below is our list of Mumbai’s most reputable and result-oriented criminal lawyers, known for their legal acumen, ethical approach, and handling of high-profile cases.

1. Satish L. Maneshinde — Senior Criminal Advocate at Bombay High Court

Satish Maneshinde is a senior criminal lawyer in Mumbai who rose to national prominence after acting in a string of high-profile celebrity and complex criminal matters. He began his career working under the late Ram Jethmalani and has decades of experience in trial and appellate advocacy. Maneshinde is best known for handling sensitive, media-intensive matters where tactical management of evidence, media and interlocutory relief (bail, anticipatory bail, interim protection) is crucial. His courtroom style combines aggressive cross-examination at the trial level with focused legal argumentation on procedural and constitutional points at the Bombay High Court. He is often retained in cases involving narcotics, economic offences and alleged violent crimes where client-reputation management is also at stake.

2. Ujjwal Deorao Nikam — Notable trial strategist

Ujjwal Nikam is one of India’s best-known criminal law practitioners in the prosecution space. Over several decades, he has been appointed as a Special Public Prosecutor in some of India’s most consequential terror and murder trials (including trials arising out of the 1993 blasts and the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks), and his courtroom record shows deep experience in prosecution strategy, witness management and long-running trial work. Nikam’s strengths lie in constructing coherent case narratives, working with investigative agencies and presenting voluminous evidence in court — skills that make him a go-to name for governments and certain complex, disputed prosecutions. He has also been in the public eye for nominations and awards recognising his legal career.

3. Amit Desai — Senior Advocate with decades in criminal law

Amit Desai is a designated Senior Advocate known for a long career in criminal litigation before the Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court. His practice spans white-collar crime, economic offences, and serious criminal trials. Beyond trial advocacy, Amit Desai is frequently cited for views on sentencing, statutory interpretation and for handling appeals in major criminal matters. Senior advocates like him are often engaged where complex principles of law (e.g., multi-jurisdictional offences, extradition, or financial crime) need a persuasive appellate argument.

4. Mihir Desai — Human-rights and public-interest criminal litigation

Mihir Desai is a well-known Mumbai practitioner who blends criminal practice with human rights and public interest litigation. He has a track record of representing clients in matters arising from custodial deaths, alleged fake encounters, riot-related matters and cases involving state excesses. Mihir’s expertise lies in the strategic use of criminal proceedings alongside writs and PILs to protect individual liberties and to ensure procedural fairness. He is frequently involved where systemic police action issues or mass crime investigations raise questions of rights and due process.

5. Mahesh Jethmalani — Senior counsel with cross-bench experience

Mahesh Jethmalani (son of the late Ram Jethmalani) is another senior advocate who appears in high-stakes criminal and constitutional matters. While his practice also covers corporate and civil litigation, his criminal work involves complex matters before the Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court, including representation on behalf of high-net-worth individuals and public figures. Senior counsel like Mahesh are commonly instructed when strategic, layered legal arguments and court-to-court credibility are essential.

6. Rizwan Merchant — Experienced trial advocate in Mumbai criminal circles

Rizwan Merchant is an established criminal advocate practising in Mumbai’s trial courts and High Court. He frequently appears in cases involving serious offences (homicide, organised crime matters) and has been part of legal teams in long-running criminal litigations in the city. Practitioners like Merchant combine intensive trial preparation with deep familiarity with local police, prosecution practice and trial court dynamics — an advantage in day-to-day criminal defence and bail work.

7. Sana Raees Khan — Rising criminal advocate handling high-stakes trials

Sana Raees Khan has been reported as counsel in recent high-profile trial proceedings and appellate applications in Mumbai. She has represented accused persons in serious criminal matters, including murder trials and contested bail hearings, and is known for courtroom clarity and reliance on circumstantial evidence strategy when appropriate. Contemporary practitioners like Sana bridge robust trial advocacy with modern litigation techniques (forensics, CCTV analysis, witness reliability arguments).

8. Prakash Salsingikar — Trial-court specialist in hardcore criminal cases

Prakash Salsingikar is a Mumbai-based advocate who is regularly mentioned in lists of criminal defence counsel for handling hardcore criminal trials — rape, murder and multi-accused incidents. His experience in trial courts and handling sensitive charge-sheets gives him an advantage in tactical cross-examination and trial record-building for appeal. Where trial record and careful witness handling determine outcomes, trial specialists such as Prakash play a vital role.

9. Vikas Dongre — Defence counsel for high-court litigation

Vikas Dongre is a practising Mumbai advocate who advertises a criminal defence focus with experience in high court matters and bail litigation. Lawyers like him typically provide a mix of trial and High Court practice — drafting appeals, urgent bail petitions and interlocutory applications while managing the client’s case across levels of the judiciary. For time-sensitive relief (bail, interim protection) and coordinated litigation across trial and appellate courts, this profile is often retained.

10. Deepak Salvi — Senior advocate with criminal practice

Advocate Deepak Salvi is a highly respected senior criminal lawyer in the High Court of Bombay, known for his expertise in handling complex and high-profile criminal cases. Serving as a Special Public Prosecutor in several significant matters, he has represented the state in cases related to terrorism, organized crime, and corruption. He has also been appointed as Retainer Counsel and Special Legal Advisor by Maharashtra. His reputation for integrity and professionalism has made him a trusted name in both the judiciary and the legal fraternity.

How Patrons Legal Supports Clients in Mumbai

While these lawyers represent Mumbai’s legal elite, Patrons Legal brings a team approach that blends the experience of top criminal advocates with personalised client care.

Our Services Include:

• Bail & Anticipatory Bail: Urgent applications in the Sessions Court, the Bombay High Court, and the Supreme Court.

• White-Collar Crime Defence: Representation in ED, CBI, and SFIO matters.

• Trial & Appeals: Strong defence strategies in lower courts and appellate forums.

• NDPS Cases: Legal expertise in narcotics-related offences.

• Cheque Bounce Matters: Quick resolution under NI Act provisions.

• Cybercrime Defence: Protection against hacking, fraud, and data theft allegations.

Why Choose Patrons Legal in Mumbai?

• Multi-Court Representation: Experience in Magistrate, Sessions, and High Court proceedings.

• Case-Specific Strategy: Tailored defence for every unique legal situation.

• Confidential Handling: Discreet and secure legal support for sensitive matters.

• Network of Experts: Access to senior counsels, forensic experts, and investigators.

Understanding Mumbai’s Criminal Justice System

For clients and businesses, understanding how Mumbai’s criminal courts function is essential. The city operates under a structured judicial hierarchy:

• Metropolitan Magistrate Courts – Handle minor offences and preliminary hearings.

• Sessions Courts – Hear serious criminal matters, including murder and NDPS cases.

• Bombay High Court – Handles bail, appeals, and writ petitions.

• Special Courts – NDPS, PMLA, and CBI courts for specific types of offences.

Having a lawyer who understands procedural timelines, court culture, and local legal nuances is critical for success.

Tips for Choosing the Right Criminal Lawyers in Mumbai

1. Specialisation Matters: Match your case type with the lawyer’s expertise.

2. Courtroom Experience: Trial experience often outweighs theoretical knowledge.

3. Track Record: Look for past successes in similar matters.

4. Client Testimonials: Genuine feedback can reveal a lawyer’s working style.

5. Availability & Communication: Your lawyer should be accessible and transparent.

Final Thoughts

Mumbai’s legal landscape is vast, competitive, and challenging. Whether you are facing a criminal trial, seeking anticipatory bail, or defending against complex financial allegations, having the right criminal lawyer in Mumbai is crucial.

The names listed above represent some of the most reputed criminal lawyers in Mumbai, but the choice ultimately depends on your case type, budget, and comfort level. With Patrons Legal, clients benefit from a dedicated legal team, strong courtroom advocacy, and a client-first approach, making it one of the most reliable legal partners for criminal defence in Mumbai.