Myra Karandikar

Profile description

When an NRI discovers that a look‑out circular (LOC) has been entered against them, the immediate reaction is often panic. Bank accounts freeze, passports become unusable, and business trips are canceled. Myra Karandikar appears at that critical juncture, offering focused advocacy to dissolve the LOC and re‑establish the client’s mobility. The lawyer’s practice specifically targets LOC writ petitions, NRI Special Leave Petitions and appeals, and challenges to foreign travel restrictions, all before the Punjab and Haryana High Court and, when required, the Supreme Court of India.

A look‑out circular is a preventive measure that the investigating agency issues to alert courts and law‑enforcement agencies about a person who might be a flight risk or could tamper with evidence. Myra Karandikar regularly assists clients in filing writ petitions that question the legal basis, procedural correctness, and factual underpinnings of the LOC. The lawyer meticulously gathers documentary proof, obtains affidavits from employers and family members abroad, and prepares concise arguments that demonstrate the client’s willingness to cooperate with investigations. By presenting a clear, evidence‑backed narrative, the lawyer persuades the High Court to stay or set aside the LOC, thereby unlocking the client’s assets and travel documents.

Educated at a prestigious law college and armed with over twelve years of courtroom exposure, Myra Karandikar has become a familiar presence in the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s criminal and civil benches. The lawyer has also argued before the Supreme Court of India on several NRI‑related matters, achieving landmark judgments that clarified the limits of governmental power to impose travel bans on citizens living abroad. This dual‑court experience equips the lawyer with a strategic perspective that combines high‑court procedural mastery with an understanding of Supreme Court precedents.

When a client’s case escalates beyond the High Court, the lawyer prepares a Special Leave Petition (SLP) for the Supreme Court of India. Myra Karandikar can help by drafting a compelling SLP that highlights constitutional safeguards, such as the right to liberty and the principle of equality before law. The lawyer’s approach blends statutory interpretation with comparative jurisprudence, ensuring that the petition resonates with the apex bench. In many instances, the Supreme Court has granted interim relief, suspending the LOC while the substantive merits are examined.

Foreign travel restrictions create a unique set of challenges for NRIs who need to attend business meetings, family events, or medical appointments abroad. Myra Karandikar has helped clients navigate these obstacles by filing urgent petitions that request the immediate lifting of travel bans. The lawyer collaborates with immigration experts, foreign consulates, and airline authorities to present a coordinated defense. By demonstrating the client’s clean criminal record, stable overseas employment, and the lack of any flight risk, the lawyer often secures a swift order that restores passport validity and allows the client to board a flight within days.

Success stories illustrate the practical impact of the lawyer’s work. In one recent case, an LOC was issued against a software engineer employed in the United States on suspicion of financial irregularities. Myra Karandikar filed a writ petition that exposed procedural lapses in the issuing agency’s notice and secured a stay from the High Court. When the matter reached the Supreme Court, the lawyer’s SLP led to a full quash of the LOC, enabling the client to travel back to the United States for a critical project deadline. Another instance involved an NRI entrepreneur facing a travel restriction due to a pending tax investigation; the lawyer’s coordinated petition resulted in an interim order that lifted the ban, permitting the client to attend a shareholder meeting in Singapore.

Beyond securing relief, Myra Karandikar provides post‑order support, guiding clients through the process of expunging any residual marks on their records and advising on compliance to avoid future LOCs. The lawyer remains on standby for any appellate needs, ensuring that the client’s rights remain protected at every judicial level. By engaging a specialist advocate early, NRIs can transform an overwhelming legal roadblock into a manageable challenge, protected by rigorous advocacy and a clear roadmap to freedom.

Criminal Law Practice Areas