Ezhilan Karandikar

Profile description

You are an Indian citizen residing overseas when you receive a notification that your passport has been impounded by Indian authorities pending a criminal investigation, and you discover that the case is proceeding in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The loss of your travel document threatens your livelihood and family reunification plans.

Ezhilan Karandikar specializes in filing writ petitions to challenge passport impounding orders before the Punjab and Haryana High Court at Chandigarh. The lawyer examines the impoundment notice, identifies procedural defects, and prepares a petition under Article 226 seeking an immediate release of the passport. The filing stresses that the petitioner is abroad, that the impoundment hampers the right to travel, and that the investigating agency has not demonstrated a clear risk of the passport being used to evade justice. Successful petitions often result in the High Court directing the authorities to return the passport while the case proceeds.

When the underlying criminal matter escalates, Ezhilan Karandikar regularly assists NRI clients in pursuing criminal appeals before the Punjab and Haryana High Court and, where necessary, before the Supreme Court of India. The advocate reviews the trial judgment, pinpoints errors of law or fact, and drafts a comprehensive appeal that argues for reversal, reduction of sentence, or acquittal. If the High Court judgment is unfavorable, the lawyer files a Special Leave Petition before the Supreme Court, presenting compelling reasons for the apex court’s intervention.

The lawyer brings over thirteen years of experience handling cross‑border criminal matters. Ezhilan Karandikar earned a Bachelor of Laws from Panjab University and a Master of Laws in International Criminal Procedure from the University of Sydney. Early career work as a research associate under a senior Supreme Court advocate honed skills in drafting precise pleadings and presenting oral arguments before judges. The advocate has successfully argued more than eighty NRI criminal appeals and thirty passport writ petitions, earning a reputation for meticulous preparation and strategic thinking.

The approach is client‑focused and technology‑enabled. Ezhilan Karandikar conducts secure video consultations to collect evidence, verifies documents from foreign banks, and coordinates with local counsel in Chandigarh to obtain affidavits and witness statements. The lawyer keeps the client informed after each hearing, explaining the court’s orders in simple terms and outlining next steps. Confidentiality is strictly observed, and the advocate meets tight filing deadlines, a critical factor in both writ petitions and appeal filings.

Results speak loudly. The lawyer has secured orders that restore passports within days of filing, allowing clients to travel for work or family emergencies. In criminal appeals, Ezhilan Karandikar has achieved acquittals, reduced sentences, and stays on execution of penalties, often prompting lower courts to re‑examine evidence. These outcomes not only protect the client’s freedom but also safeguard professional licenses and immigration status that can be jeopardized by a criminal conviction.

Beyond the courtroom, the lawyer advises on related immigration matters, such as re‑applying for visas after passport release and clearing criminal records with foreign embassies. By maintaining a network of forensic analysts, financial investigators, and rehabilitation counselors, the advocate ensures that every dimension of the client’s situation is addressed. This comprehensive service model gives NRI clients confidence that both passport issues and criminal appeals are managed with the same vigor and attention as any high‑stakes case in India.

Criminal Law Practice Areas