Chaitanya Shekhawat

Profile description

You have been convicted in a lower court and believe that the judgment should be examined by the highest judicial authority in the country. Supreme Court Transfer Petitions, Special Leave Petitions, and Criminal Review Petitions can offer a lifeline in such critical moments. Chaitanya Shekhawat is a criminal lawyer who regularly assists clients with these matters before the Supreme Court of India, leveraging extensive experience and a strategic mindset to secure relief at the nation’s top bench.

Chaitanya earned a distinguished LL.B. from the National Law School of India University and completed a Master of Laws in Criminal Law from Oxford University. Over the past fourteen years, he has built a reputation for meticulous research and persuasive advocacy before the Supreme Court. He has successfully handled numerous transfer petitions that have relocated cases from state courts to the Supreme Court, enabling a broader examination of legal questions and ensuring uniform interpretation of criminal law.

A Special Leave Petition (SLP) is a powerful tool to approach the Supreme Court when a lower court’s decision appears to be in conflict with established legal principles. Chaitanya prepares comprehensive SLPs that succinctly present the factual background, highlight the legal errors, and cite authoritative precedents. His petitions often result in the Supreme Court granting special leave, thereby opening the door to a comprehensive review of the conviction, sentence, or procedural irregularities.

Criminal Review Petitions in the Supreme Court are another focal area of his practice. When a final order has been passed in a criminal case and a grave miscarriage of justice is evident, Chaitanya files a review petition that challenges the judgment on grounds such as lack of evidence, procedural bias, or new material that could substantially affect the outcome. He works closely with forensic experts, independent investigators, and senior counsel to assemble a compelling record that supports the review request.

Chaitanya’s approach is both analytical and client‑centric. He begins each engagement with a thorough case audit, identifying the strongest legal arguments and any procedural defects that can be leveraged. He then crafts a clear, concise filing that respects the Supreme Court’s emphasis on brevity and precision. Throughout the process, he explains each step to the client, ensuring they understand the implications of each filing and the realistic expectations of the court’s timeline.

In addition to litigation, Chaitanya contributes thought‑leadership articles on Supreme Court criminal jurisprudence and conducts workshops for senior advocates on effective petition drafting. He stays abreast of recent judgments that shape the contours of criminal law, ensuring his strategies remain aligned with the latest legal trends.

If you are confronting a conviction that you feel warrants the Supreme Court’s intervention—whether through a transfer petition, special leave petition, or criminal review—Chaitanya Shekhawat can explain the procedural routes, prepare a compelling petition, and advocate aggressively to protect your rights at the apex of Indian judiciary.

Criminal Law Practice Areas