Vaibhav Gokhale

Profile description

You are an NRI who has seen your passport impounded in India and now face a criminal charge that threatens your liberty and ability to return home. Vaibhav Gokhale is the advocate who brings decisive experience to both the Punjab and Haryana High Court at Chandigarh and the Supreme Court of India, handling Special Leave Petitions as well as writ petitions to challenge passport impoundment.

Vaibhav’s practice bridges two critical strands of NRI defence. First, he prepares NRI Special Leave Petitions and Appeals, seeking the Supreme Court’s intervention when lower courts have rendered an adverse decision. Second, he files writ petitions under Article 21 of the Constitution to contest the unlawful impounding of passports, a common tool used by authorities to restrict an NRI’s movement. By integrating these approaches, he crafts a comprehensive defence that not only attacks the criminal charge but also restores the client’s fundamental right to travel.

Educated at a nationally recognised law school, Vaibhav earned his LL.B. with distinction and later completed a post‑graduate diploma in International Human Rights Law. He spent seven years as an associate in a prominent high‑court firm, focusing on criminal appeals and constitutional writs. Over the past nine years, he established his own practice in Chandigarh, representing over two hundred NRI clients facing passport seizures, criminal prosecutions, and related immigration hurdles. His success includes securing the release of seized passports, overturning wrongful convictions, and obtaining Supreme Court judgments that set precedents for future NRI defence.

Vaibhav regularly assists clients in understanding the procedural routes for challenging passport impoundment, including filing a writ of habeas corpus or a special writ under Article 226 of the High Court. He also advises on the preparation of evidence, coordination with foreign consulates, and the timing of a Special Leave Petition to the Supreme Court when lower‑court relief proves insufficient. His methodical approach ensures that all statutory deadlines are met, and his persuasive drafting highlights the constitutional violation inherent in denying travel.

Clients appreciate Vaibhav’s transparent communication. He provides clear summaries of case strategy, outlines realistic expectations, and keeps them informed of each development, whether at the High Court or the Supreme Court. His courtroom presence is marked by concise oral arguments that focus on the violation of fundamental rights and the procedural improprieties of the investigating agencies. These qualities have yielded numerous orders restoring passports, dismissing criminal charges, and, in several instances, prompting the Supreme Court to issue landmark rulings on NRI protections.

Engaging Vaibhav Gokhale means working with a lawyer who blends deep criminal law knowledge, constitutional expertise, and a dedicated focus on NRI concerns. He can help you navigate the complexities of writ petitions, Special Leave Petitions, and appeals, ensuring that your rights are defended at both the Punjab and Haryana High Court and, when necessary, before the Supreme Court of India.

Criminal Law Practice Areas