AQUILAW

CIVIL LITIGATION INCLUDING CORPORATE AND COMMERCIAL LITIGATION / CRIMINAL LITIGATION AND INVESTIGATIONS

Astha Sharma is a Partner at AQUILAW, New Delhi.

Astha has over 14 years of experience as a litigator in the domain of commercial, civil, constitutional and criminal laws. She has argued, drafted, advised and appeared in several petitions for both State Governments as well as Private clients, and as an Advocate on Record the Supreme Court Practice & Procedure is her forte. She is a Member Executive in Supreme Court Advocates on Records Association (2024-2026). Astha was the former Standing Counsel for the State of West Bengal in the Supreme Court of India.

The following are some of the major highlights of her work experience:

WRITS, SPECIAL LEAVE PETITIONS AND APPEALS Strategizes, drafts, files, briefs and appears on behalf of various Private and State Clients in Writs, SLPs, Appeals relating to enforcement of Fundamental Rights, Inaction by the Govt., criminal cases, validity of statutes and policy decisions vis-à-vis the Constitution of India, contractual disputes, blacklisting of tenders, etc., before Supreme Court of India.

CONSUMER DISPUTES & ARMED FORCES MATTERS Appears and advises complainants as well as Opposite parties in various Consumer Disputes in State as well as National Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission, while appearing majorly for Home Buyers and/or the Builders. Handles various Medical Malpractice, and negligence cases in the Consumer Foras as well. She also regularly practices before the Armed Forces Tribunal (Principal Bench), New Delhi, and also advises Defence Personnel in Matrimonial Issues, Pay Discrepancies, Departmental Investigations, Court of Inquiry, Summary of Evidence, etc. Appears and represents the Accused in Court Martials.

SOCIAL WELFARE ISSUES Certified POSH Trainer, she extensively works to empower women through awareness of their legal rights. She has been an active part of fostering gender equality and justice through various pro bono petitions in the Supreme Court, including issues pertaining to Sexual Harassment Allegations against a sitting High Court Judge by a Judicial Officer, Equality in work & pay for women, domestic violence to include verbal, economic, emotional and sexual abuse, right to anonymity for sexual assault victims and their rehabilitation, free legal aid to women through SCLSC, illegal arrest and handcuffing of women etc. She has also been involved in several animal rights issues in the Supreme Court, with her association with various NGOs working in this area, to bring about justice to the voiceless.

English and Hindi.

Standing Counsel for the State of West Bengal, Supreme Court of India.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS Bar Council of Delhi Supreme Court Bar Association Supreme Court Advocates on Record Association

CHAMBER AFFILIATIONS The Confederation of Indian Industry Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry Indian Chamber of Commerce The Associated Chambers of Commerce & Industry of India

B.A.LL.B

LL.M