Divyashree Hegde

Profile description

If you are an Indian citizen living abroad and face criminal proceedings that threaten your passport or restrict your ability to travel, you need a lawyer who understands the unique challenges of NRI criminal law. Divyashree Hegde, a Chandigarh‑based advocate, focuses on NRI criminal complaint defence, passport impounding writ petitions, and challenges to foreign travel restrictions. The lawyer holds a Master of Laws from Delhi University and has more than twelve years of experience representing non‑resident Indians before the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the Supreme Court of India.

Divyashree regularly assists NRIs who have been charged with offences under the Indian Penal Code while residing overseas. The lawyer examines the jurisdictional basis of the complaint, reviews the extraterritorial application of the law, and files applications to quash the criminal complaint in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. In several recent matters, the advocate succeeded in having the court dismiss the charges on the ground that the investigation lacked proper notice and that the alleged acts occurred outside Indian territory.

When an NRI’s passport is impounded as part of a criminal investigation, the situation can quickly become dire. Divyashree drafts and files writ petitions under Article 226 of the Constitution, seeking immediate release of the passport. By presenting evidence of the client’s ties to the foreign jurisdiction, the lawyer argues that the impoundment violates the right to travel and the principle of proportionality. The advocate has obtained interim relief in multiple cases, allowing clients to continue their professional commitments abroad while the criminal matter proceeds.

Travel bans imposed by Indian authorities also fall within the lawyer’s practice. The advocate challenges such restrictions by filing petitions that question the legal basis for denying exit visas, especially when the underlying investigation is incomplete or based on inconclusive evidence. Leveraging precedents from the Supreme Court of India, Divyashree has secured orders that lift travel blocks, enabling clients to attend crucial personal and business events overseas.

Divyashree Hegde’s approach is thorough and client‑focused. The lawyer begins with an in‑depth virtual consultation, outlining the pertinent statutes, procedural options, and likely outcomes. Throughout the representation, the advocate maintains transparent communication, updates the client on every filing, and coordinates with overseas counsel when necessary. By combining a deep understanding of constitutional rights with practical courtroom tactics, Divyashree provides NRIs a dependable defence against criminal complaints, passport seizures, and travel restrictions.

Criminal Law Practice Areas