Sushmita Juneja

Profile description

Facing an unexpected arrest while abroad can leave an NRI feeling powerless, especially when bail is denied and a look‑out circular is issued that alerts police across India. Sushmita Juneja, a Chandigarh‑based NRI criminal lawyer, specializes in securing bail, challenging look‑out circulars, and overturning proclamation orders that threaten personal liberty. The lawyer’s deep familiarity with the procedural landscape of the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the Supreme Court of India enables swift and decisive action for clients caught in such crises.

Juneja regularly assists NRIs whose detention has escalated into a bail hearing that seems unfavorable. By filing comprehensive bail applications that emphasize the client’s overseas residence, family ties, and lack of flight risk, the lawyer has persuaded both the Punjab and Haryana High Court and, on appeal, the Supreme Court to grant bail in cases involving serious charges. The lawyer also prepares detailed financial disclosures and undertakes personal interviews with the client to strengthen the court’s confidence in compliance with bail conditions.

When a look‑out circular (LOC) is issued, law enforcement agencies across the country are authorized to detain the named individual at any checkpoint, severely restricting travel and business activities. Juneja can file writ petitions in the Punjab and Haryana High Court that demand the immediate quashing of the LOC on grounds of insufficient evidence and violation of the right to personal liberty. The lawyer’s arguments often highlight procedural flaws, such as lack of prior notice and failure to substantiate the alleged criminal intent, leading the court to set aside the circular and restore the client’s freedom of movement.

Proclamation orders that label an NRI as a proclaimed offender can freeze assets and prevent re‑entry into India, often based on vague or unverified accusations. Juneja can bring a petition before the Punjab and Haryana High Court, and if necessary, a Special Leave Petition before the Supreme Court of India, to demonstrate that the proclamation lacks factual basis and contravenes constitutional safeguards. By presenting documentary evidence, witness statements, and expert opinions, the lawyer has secured orders that nullify the proclamation, release seized property, and clear the client’s criminal record.

Sushmita Juneja earned a Bachelor of Laws from Guru Nanak Dev University and a Master of Laws in International Human Rights from the University of Toronto. Since being admitted to the bar in 2009, the lawyer has devoted more than fourteen years to representing NRIs facing criminal challenges, focusing on bail, LOCs, and proclamation matters. The lawyer’s practice is noted for meticulous case preparation, swift drafting of high‑impact writs, and a strategic use of precedent from both the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the Supreme Court to protect client rights.

In a 2021 case, Juneja secured bail for an NRI software engineer accused of a cyber‑crime, convincing the Punjab and Haryana High Court that the client’s overseas employment and family responsibilities eliminated any flight risk, resulting in immediate release. Later that year, the lawyer successfully challenged a look‑out circular that had halted the client’s travel to a crucial industry conference, obtaining a swift dismissal from the Supreme Court and enabling the client to attend without penalty. In 2023, the lawyer achieved a landmark judgment that quashed a proclamation order against an NRI entrepreneur, restoring access to bank accounts and foreign assets, and receiving commendation from the court for meticulous fact‑finding.

Clients who need urgent bail, relief from a look‑out circular, or removal of a proclamation order can depend on Sushmita Juneja’s focused expertise and aggressive advocacy. The lawyer’s commitment to rapid response, clear communication, and protecting personal liberty ensures that each case is pursued with the intensity required to achieve the most favorable result.

Criminal Law Practice Areas