Vikas Pahwa

Vikas Pahwa is an Indian lawyer and Senior Advocate practicing before the Supreme Court of India and the Delhi High Court. He was designated as a Senior Advocate by the Delhi High Court in 2011. His practice focuses on criminal law, economic offences, white-collar crime, constitutional litigation, and extradition matters.

Early life and education

Pahwa studied at St. John’s Senior Secondary School in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. He later graduated from Meerut University, obtaining a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree followed by a Bachelor of Laws (LLB.).

He also pursued the Chartered Accountancy programme conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and completed the Intermediate level of the course.

In 2018, Pahwa attended the Advanced Course in International Criminal Law at The Hague Academy of International Law in The Hague, Netherlands.

Pahwa began practicing law in 1992 and was enrolled with the Bar Council of India in 1993. During his career, he has appeared in criminal and constitutional matters before various courts, including the Supreme Court of India and the Delhi High Court.

His work has involved cases investigated by agencies such as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Enforcement Directorate (ED) , Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO), Income Tax Department, and state police agencies.

Between 2008 and 2011, Pahwa served as Additional Standing Counsel for the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. He also served as Standing Counsel for the Central Bureau of Investigation from 2009 to 2011.

Notable cases

Pahwa represented the Association of Victims of Uphaar Tragedy (AVUT) in litigation arising from the 1997 Uphaar cinema fire, including proceedings relating to the criminal trial and subsequent appeals.

He represented Indian politician Shashi Tharoor in proceedings relating to the death of Sunanda Pushkar. In 2021, a Delhi court discharged Tharoor of the criminal charges brought against him.

Pahwa appeared for the prosecution in the trial arising from the 2012 violence at the Maruti Suzuki plant in Manesar, Haryana. In 2017, the trial court convicted several accused in the case.

He also represented AES Chhattisgarh Power Ltd., a subsidiary of AES Corporation, in proceedings arising from investigations into coal block allocations, in which the accused were acquitted by a Delhi court in 2023.

In 2024–2026, he represented actor Rajpal Yadav before the Delhi High Court in proceedings arising from a cheque dishonour case relating to a film financing dispute.

Personality rights order

In January 2026, the Delhi High Court issued an order protecting the name, image, likeness, and professional identity of Vikas Pahwa after it was reported that his identity and photographs were being misused online for fraudulent activities. The court directed the removal of such material and restrained further unauthorized use of his identity.

International and extradition work

Pahwa has appeared in matters relating to cross-border criminal investigations and extradition proceedings, including cases involving INTERPOL Red Notices.

His work has also included proceedings before foreign courts, including the Court of Appeal in Athens, Greece, and the Dubai International Financial Centre Courts. He has been associated with proceedings connected with the international arbitration concerning the Enrica Lexie incident before the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague.

Public service

Pahwa has assisted courts as amicus curiae in matters relating to criminal procedure and victim compensation, including issues concerning compensation under Sections 357 and 357A of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

He has also assisted the Delhi High Court in proceedings relating to motor accident compensation and investigative procedures in Rajesh Tyagi v. Jaibir Singh.

He is empanelled as Senior Counsel with the Delhi State Legal Services Authority and is a certified mediator at the Delhi High Court Mediation and Conciliation Centre.