Criminal Lawyer in Delhi

SRLM Law Associates represents accused persons and complainants in criminal matters before Rohini Courts, other Delhi District Courts and the Delhi High Court. We handle bail and anticipatory bail, FIR quashing, trial defence, cheque bounce complaints and criminal appeals under the new criminal laws — the BNS, BNSS and BSA — in force since 1 July 2024. As a criminal lawyer in Delhi with a chamber at the Rohini Court complex, Advocate Shubham Mehta appears at every stage — from police notice to final appeal.

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Key takeaways

Criminal cases in Delhi now run under the BNSS, 2023 (replacing the CrPC) and the BNS, 2023 (replacing the IPC).
Anticipatory bail is sought under Section 482 BNSS (old S. 438 CrPC) before arrest; regular bail under Sections 480 and 483 BNSS after arrest.
The High Court can quash an FIR under Section 528 BNSS (old S. 482 CrPC) in suitable cases.
Early legal advice — before replying to a police notice or giving a statement — often shapes the outcome.

Criminal matters we handle

Bail and anticipatory bail — applications before Magistrates, Sessions Courts and the Delhi High Court.
FIR quashing — petitions under Section 528 BNSS, including quashing on settlement in compoundable and matrimonial disputes.
Trial defence — cross-examination, defence evidence and final arguments in Magistrate and Sessions trials.
Matrimonial offences — cases of cruelty and dowry harassment (Section 85 BNS, old S. 498A IPC) and related complaints.
Cheque bounce — complaints and defence under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881.
Cheating and criminal breach of trust — Sections 318 and 316 BNS (old Ss. 420 and 406 IPC).
Police inaction — applications to the Magistrate under Section 175(3) BNSS (old S. 156(3) CrPC) where police do not register an FIR.
Criminal revisions and appeals — before the Sessions Court and the Delhi High Court.

Old and new criminal law: key sections

Orders passed before July 2024 cite the CrPC and IPC; new orders cite the BNSS and BNS. The table below maps the provisions most often used in bail and FIR matters.

Subject	New law (BNSS / BNS)	Old law (CrPC / IPC)
Registration of FIR	Section 173 BNSS	Section 154 CrPC
Magistrate-directed investigation	Section 175(3) BNSS	Section 156(3) CrPC
Remand and default bail	Section 187 BNSS	Section 167 CrPC
Bail in non-bailable offences (Magistrate)	Section 480 BNSS	Section 437 CrPC
Anticipatory bail	Section 482 BNSS	Section 438 CrPC
Bail by Sessions Court / High Court	Section 483 BNSS	Section 439 CrPC
Inherent powers / FIR quashing	Section 528 BNSS	Section 482 CrPC
Cheating	Section 318 BNS	Section 420 IPC
Cruelty by husband or relatives	Section 85 BNS	Section 498A IPC

How a criminal case usually proceeds

Complaint or FIR — information is recorded at the police station, or a complaint is filed before the Magistrate.
Investigation — police collect evidence, record statements and may issue a notice of appearance or arrest.
Bail stage — anticipatory bail before arrest, or regular bail after arrest.
Charge-sheet or closure report — filed by the police on completion of investigation.
Cognizance and charge — the court takes cognizance and frames charges or discharges the accused.
Trial — prosecution evidence, cross-examination, statement of the accused and defence evidence.
Judgment and appeal — acquittal or conviction, followed by appeal or revision where available.

If an FIR has been registered against you

Do not ignore a police notice; respond through your lawyer where possible.
Collect documents, messages and records that show your side of the facts.
Avoid contacting the complainant or witnesses about the case.
Discuss whether anticipatory bail or quashing is appropriate on your facts.

Our detailed guide explains each step: What to do after getting an FIR in Delhi. For court-specific information, see all our practice areas or our work on criminal appeals and revisions.

Courts we appear before

Rohini District Courts (which hear matters from police stations in North-West Delhi), other Delhi District Courts, the Delhi High Court and, in appeals, the Supreme Court of India. Our chamber is located inside the Rohini Court complex.

Cheque bounce cases under Section 138 of the NI Act

Cheque dishonour is one of the most common criminal complaints in Delhi’s courts. The timeline is strict, and a missed step can defeat an otherwise valid claim.

Step	Time limit
Legal demand notice to the drawer	Within 30 days of receiving the bank’s dishonour memo
Payment by the drawer	Within 15 days of receiving the notice
Filing of complaint	Within one month after the 15-day period expires (Section 142)
Interim compensation	Court may order up to 20% of the cheque amount (Section 143A)
Appeal against conviction	Court may direct deposit of at least 20% of the fine or compensation (Section 148)

The complaint is filed before the court having jurisdiction where the payee’s bank branch is located. We act for both complainants and accused persons, and many cases are settled through mediation or compounding.

Working with a criminal lawyer in Delhi: what to expect

Your matter is reviewed by Advocate Shubham Mehta, who explains the legal position, the realistic options and the likely timeline in plain language before any step is taken. Choosing a criminal lawyer in Delhi who practises regularly before the court that will hear your case helps you understand how that court approaches similar matters.

A clear explanation of your legal position and recommended next steps.
Drafts shared with you for review before anything is filed.
Hearing dates, updates and copies of orders communicated promptly.
Confidential handling of your documents and information.

Legal fees and costs

Fees depend on the nature and stage of the matter, the court or forum, the volume of documents and the number of hearings expected. The fee structure is explained in writing at the start of the engagement. Apart from professional fees, criminal matters may involve court fees on certain applications, charges for certified copies of the FIR, charge-sheet and orders, and surety or bond requirements set by the court when bail is granted.

Areas we serve in Delhi

Our chamber inside the Rohini Court complex and our office at Kayan Vihar are convenient for clients in Rohini, Pitampura, Shalimar Bagh, Ashok Vihar, Prashant Vihar, Model Town, Paschim Vihar, Narela, Bawana and nearby areas of North and North-West Delhi. We also act for clients from across Delhi NCR and, by phone or video consultation, for clients outside Delhi who need a criminal lawyer in Delhi.

Useful official resources

India Code — official texts of central Acts, including the BNS, BNSS and BSA
Delhi High Court — cause lists, case status and judgments
eCourts Services — case status and orders of Delhi District Courts

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between anticipatory bail and regular bail?

Anticipatory bail under Section 482 BNSS is sought before arrest by a person who apprehends arrest in a non-bailable offence. Regular bail under Sections 480 and 483 BNSS is sought after a person has been arrested or taken into custody. Both are decided on the facts and the seriousness of the allegations.

Can an FIR be cancelled?

The Delhi High Court may quash an FIR under Section 528 BNSS (old Section 482 CrPC) where the allegations disclose no offence, the proceedings are an abuse of process, or the parties have genuinely settled a largely private dispute. Quashing is discretionary and depends on the facts of each case.

What is default bail?

If the police do not file the charge-sheet within the period allowed under Section 187 BNSS — generally 60 or 90 days depending on the offence — an accused in custody becomes entitled to apply for default bail, provided the application is made before the charge-sheet is filed.

Do I have to attend every court date in a criminal case?

Generally the accused must appear, but the court can grant exemption from personal appearance on a proper application for a particular date. Repeated absence without permission can lead to warrants, so dates should be tracked carefully with your advocate.

How long does a criminal trial take in Delhi?

Timelines vary widely with the court’s workload, the number of witnesses and the nature of the offence. Simple Magistrate trials may conclude in one to three years, while Sessions trials often take longer. Your advocate can give a realistic estimate after reviewing the case.

What is a notice under Section 35 BNSS?

Section 35(3) BNSS (old Section 41A CrPC) allows police to issue a notice asking a person to appear instead of arresting them, in offences punishable with up to seven years. Complying with the notice and its conditions generally protects against arrest, so it should be answered carefully with legal advice.

Can a criminal case be settled between the parties?

Offences listed as compoundable under Section 359 BNSS (old Section 320 CrPC) can be settled with or without the court’s permission, as specified. For non-compoundable offences arising from private disputes, the Delhi High Court may quash proceedings on settlement under Section 528 BNSS in suitable cases.

Specialised services

Related practice areas

Legal guides: What to do after getting an FIR in Delhi · How to file a civil suit in Delhi District Courts · All legal guides

Advocate Shubham Mehta, criminal lawyer in Delhi, SRLM Law Associates

Written and reviewed by Advocate Shubham Mehta
Advocate, Bar Council of Delhi (Enrl. No. D/6398/2021), and head of SRLM Law Associates. He practises before Rohini Courts, other Delhi District Courts, Family Courts, consumer commissions and the Delhi High Court. More about the firm

Speak to SRLM Law Associates

For advice specific to your situation, you may consult a qualified advocate. Advocate Shubham Mehta (Bar Council of Delhi, Enrl. No. D/6398/2021) and the SRLM Law Associates team can be reached at +91 99997 91419 or srlmlawassociates@gmail.com. Chamber: 1310, Lawyer’s Chamber Block, Rohini Courts, Delhi – 110085. Office: 250, Kayan Vihar, Delhi – 110033. Open daily, 9 am – 9 pm. See our Google reviews and directions.