Sahil Chatterjee

Profile description

An NRI who returns to India to find a proclamation order or a notice labeling them a proclaimed offender faces immediate arrest, bank freezes, and travel bans, even though they may have been unaware of any pending case. The sudden legal shock can jeopardize overseas assets and disrupt family plans. Sahil Chatterjee steps in at this critical moment, offering focused assistance to quash proclamation orders and remove proclaimed offender status. Based in Chandigarh, the lawyer specializes in representing non‑resident individuals before the Punjab and Haryana High Court, where most such applications are decided.

Sahil Chatterjee completed a Master of Laws from Jindal Global Law School and later pursued a certification in International Criminal Procedure. Early in the career, the advocate worked with a diaspora‑focused legal consultancy, handling cross‑border criminal matters and learning the procedural gaps that often arise when an NRI is prosecuted in absentia. Over the past nine years, the lawyer has built a niche practice defending Indians living abroad, mastering the interaction between Indian criminal law and the realities of overseas residence.

Quashing a proclamation order begins with establishing that the alleged default in appearance was either unintentional or the result of improper service. Sahil Chatterjee can help by gathering proof of overseas location, passport stamps, and airline tickets, then presenting a petition that demonstrates the client’s willingness to cooperate with the court. The advocate files a detailed application under Section 15 of the Criminal Procedure Code, requesting the High Court to set aside the proclamation and withdraw the proclaimed offender designation. By also presenting a bail application tailored to the client’s foreign residency, the lawyer works to secure immediate release pending trial.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has jurisdiction over proclamation matters filed from the northern states, and it regularly handles petitions from NRIs who have been declared offenders in their absence. Sahil Chatterjee appears before this bench with a clear understanding of the judges’ expectations for documentary proof and timely compliance. The advocate leverages precedents from the Supreme Court of India that protect the right to a fair hearing, ensuring that the petition aligns with the highest judicial standards. Prompt filing often results in a stay on the arrest warrant, allowing the client to travel and manage overseas affairs.

Recent cases illustrate the effectiveness of a focused quash strategy. In one matter, the lawyer secured the withdrawal of a proclamation order against a software engineer residing in Canada within two weeks, preventing the seizure of his bank accounts and the issuance of an Inter‑State Transfer Certificate. Another success involved an NRI businessman in the United Kingdom where Sahil Chatterjee obtained a full set‑aside of the proclaimed offender status, leading to the restoration of his passport and immediate clearance of pending investigations. Clients consistently commend the lawyer for clear communication across time zones and for delivering outcomes that protect both liberty and international assets.

If you are an NRI confronted with a proclamation or proclaimed offender notice, early legal response can prevent irreversible damage. Sahil Chatterjee offers an experienced, cross‑border approach that blends thorough evidence collection with skilled advocacy before the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The lawyer will examine the particulars of your case, explain the procedural steps required to challenge the order, and fight persistently to have the proclamation lifted. Do not let a distant court ruin your life abroad; engage a specialist who understands the nuances of NRI criminal law today.

Criminal Law Practice Areas