Mr Krishnava Dutt > Argus Partners > Mumbai, India > Lawyer Profile

Argus Partners
11, 1st Floor
Free Press House, 215, Nariman Point
Mumbai 400021
India

Work Department

Corporate and M&A, Private Equity & Venture Capital, Banking & Finance, Corporate Restructuring & Insolvency

Position

Managing Partner

Career

Krishnava is the Founder and Managing Partner of Argus Partners and sits on the executive committee, which advises the Firm on various strategic initiatives. He has led the Firm from its inception in 2009, now with offices in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, and Kolkata. He advises some of the largest corporate houses and their boards on various matters including corporate governance and board responsibility.

Krishnava has been the lead adviser in some of the largest and most complex M&A and financing transactions. He is regularly sought out by CEOs, CFOs, GCs, and legal heads of large multinational corporations, government agencies, and funds for his unique mix of in-depth knowledge of law and regulatory matters, coupled with a very keen understanding of finance, accounts, and business issues. He has been consistently recognised for building Argus Partners into a leading national-level firm.

Select Professional Experience

  • Represented the erstwhile HDFC Limited (since merged with HDFC Bank) before the Supreme Court, against IL&FS.
  • Advised the Board of Control for Cricket in India on the tendering of media rights for the Indian Premier League for more than USD 6 billion, making it the 2nd most valued sporting league in the world in terms of per match value.
  • Advised the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in the historic Women’s Premier League (“WPL”) teams auction.
  • Advised on India’s largest ever merger to create India’s second largest bank, HDFC Bank.
  • Advised India Resurgence Fund promoted by Piramal Enterprises Limited and Bain Capital Credit in its investment of up to Rs 615 crore ($83 million) in Gujarat-based Setco Group.
  • Advised HDFC Limited on its acquisition of a stake in Yes Bank made pursuant to a scheme of reconstruction of Yes Bank notified by the central government owing to the deteriorating financial health of Yes Bank.
  • Advised Tata Steel Limited on the acquisition of Usha Martin (Steel Division) in one of the largest deals in the steel sector outside the framework of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.
  • Advised GRUH Finance (a subsidiary of HDFC Limited) on its merger with Bandhan Bank. This deal pertained to a merger of a listed bank with a listed housing finance company. This deal was one of the largest in the financial services sector with a combined market cap of USD 12 billion.
  • Advised the Committee of Creditors of Binani Cement Limited, which has been one of the most contentious matters under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.
  • Advised the resolution professional of Monnet Ispat & Energy Limited. This was one of the first twelve largest cases referred by the Reserve Bank of India for resolution under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.
  • Advised Edelweiss in connection with the strategic debt restructuring of Adhunik Power and Natural Resources Limited.
  • Advised HDFC Limited on the acquisition of L&T General Insurance by HDFC ERGO General Insurance.
  • Advised Mukand Limited on its joint venture with Sumitomo Corporation, Japan.
  • Advised Tega Industries Limited on its resolution plan for acquisition of McNally Sayaji Engineering Limited.

Memberships

  • West Bengal Bar Council.
  • Patron member of Bar Association of India.
  • Member of Society of Indian Law Firms.
  • Member of the National Regulatory Committee of the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII).
  • Appointed as member of the committee of Department of Justice, Ministry of Law, Government of India on Ease of Doing Business – Enforcement of Contracts.
  • Appointed as member of the committee of Department of Justice, Ministry of Law, Government of India on Legal Aid and Pro Bono work across the country.

Lawyer Rankings

India > Restructuring and insolvency

With experience in matters relating to corporate restructuring and distressed assets, Argus Partners has advised financial creditors, investors, asset reconstruction companies, and corporate debtors. Managing partner Krishnava Dutt leads the team, alongside Aastha, Adity Chaudhury, and Arka Majumdar. Their collective experience includes advising on liquidations, CIRPs, stressed loans, resolution plans, and debt restructuring.

India > City focus: Mumbai > Banking and finance

Primarily based in Mumbai, the banking and finance practice at Argus Partners is particularly known for its sector-dedicated lawyers and ability to handle complex transactions. Key industries covered include real estate, renewable energy and infrastructure. Practice head Krishnava Dutt recently led the team in a standout highlight where the firm was counsel to HDFC Limited in its merger with HDFC Bank. Prakash Panjabi is regarded as one of the market’s leading practitioners in structured and asset finance and disbursement of credit facilities. Aastha is another key team member.

India > Corporate and M&A

(Leading individuals)

Krishnava Dutt  – Argus Partners

With expertise spanning across multi-jurisdictional M&A, joint ventures, and group restructurings, the Argus Partners team routinely represents international and domestic corporations. Displaying considerable strength in the finance, sports, and manufacturing spheres, the group is well equipped to handle public and private takeovers, along with complex spin-offs. In the Mumbai office, Krishnava Dutt and Adity Chaudhury specialise in dealing with strategic debt restructurings and joint ventures, whilst Abhinav Bhalaik focuses on investment work. In Kolkata, Arka Majumdar regularly acts on behalf of clients in the mining and engineering industries, and Bengaluru-based Ankit Guha provides general corporate and funding advice. Jitendra Soni is noted for his work on IPOs and seed funding rounds.

India > Banking and finance

Argus Partners‘ broad practice encompasses structured finance, promoter funding and securitisation mandates. The group advises a range of domestic and international banks, asset reconstruction companies and other banking financial institutions. Managing partner Krishnava Dutt leads the banking and finance team from Mumbai, while Prakash Panjabi is an experienced figure in debt issuances and debt restructurings. Aastha represents a range of lenders and borrowers in syndicated lending and project finance transactions, while Nidhi Arya regularly assists with transactional matters, including construction financings and external commercial borrowing, with a particular focus on the real estate sector.

India > Private equity and investment funds

Argus Partners advises on the full lifecycle of private equity transactions, ranging from the initial investment to exit strategies, in addition to structuring investments and negotiations. Based in Mumbai, Krishnava Dutt co-leads the team and is supported by Ankit Guha, who operates from the firm’s Bengaluru office. In Kolkata, Arka Majumdar acts for domestic and international clients in primary and secondary investments, and New Delhi-based Jitendra Soni is another key contact in the group.

India > TMT

With a strong tech practice spanning transactional, corporate, and regulatory advice, the Argus Partners team draws upon its network of offices in New Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangaluru. The firm is especially strong in litigious proceedings, as well as boasting a growing fintech and e-commerce offering. Mumbai-based Abhinav Bhalaik and Jitendra Soni in New Delhi advise on M&A and strategic investments, and Mumbai-based Krishnava Dutt assists with financing transactions. From Delhi, Neha Madan represents clients from the IT and healthcare industries. Ankit Guha operates out of the firm’s Bengaluru office.