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Amit Desai Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated October 3, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

ProfessionSenior Advocate

NationalityIndian

FamilyBorn into a family of lawyers; father was a senior counsel

Amit Desai Biography

Amit Desai is a senior advocate practising at the Bombay High Court known for representing high-profile clients in criminal, commercial and regulatory law.

Early life and background
Amit Desai was born into a family with a strong legal tradition: both his father and grandfather practiced law. He completed a Bachelor of Commerce before taking an LLB from Government Law College. As a youngster he was reportedly shy, and although he at one point considered pursuing an MBA, family guidance led him to study law and join the bar.

Career
Desai enrolled with the Bar Council of India in 1982 and trained under well-known Indian lawyers including Bhai Rege, Dilip Udeshi and Ashok Modi. Early in his career he handled major matters that established his reputation, including defending Keshub Mahindra, the non-executive chairman of Union Carbide India Limited, in the legal aftermath of the Bhopal gas tragedy. He later acted for notable figures involved in high-profile financial and securities cases during the 1980s and 1990s.

Through the 2000s and 2010s Desai’s practice expanded across white-collar and commercial litigation. In 2007 he was designated a senior advocate. His practice areas include white-collar crime, banking and commercial fraud, economic and regulatory offences, corruption and anti-bribery matters, extradition, capital markets, company law, taxation and currency regulation, and negligence matters such as medical, industrial and road cases.

Desai has represented a range of clients from individuals to multinational corporations. He acted for Jayalalithaa and her associate Sasikala in an income-tax matter in 2014. He was retained by Nestle India in the litigation surrounding the Maggi noodles ban in 2015 and was appointed to represent businessman Vijay Mallya in his money-laundering proceedings in 2018. Desai also became widely visible in criminal defence work: he represented Salman Khan in the 2002 hit-and-run case in 2015 when bail was secured on terms including a monetary fine.

He has served as special counsel and as a special public prosecutor for the state of Maharashtra, and has appeared in trial courts as well as before corporate and regulatory forums for Indian and foreign companies, private equity investors and business houses. Between 2012 and 2018 he assisted Attorney General K. K. Venugopal’s predecessor K. Parasaran in the LIC versus Escorts matter, drawing on a broad spectrum of commercial, constitutional and administrative law points during those proceedings.

Public profile
Desai is frequently engaged in matters that attract public and media attention. In 2021 he was brought into the legal team for Aryan Khan following developments in a narcotics-related case; at the time he emphasised reliance on the judicial process and framed his role around securing procedural opportunities for his client. Over the years he has been invited to speak on subjects such as foreign exchange management, anti-corruption compliance and international legal developments at forums including the International Bar Association and regional tax training institutes.

Personal interests and style
Outside the courtroom Desai enjoys reading widely and spending time with family and friends. He has mentioned a preference for readable non-fiction and historical works, as well as legal history and books written by members of the legal community. His tastes also extend to lighter fiction for relaxation.

Latest updates
In recent years Desai continued to be retained in high-stakes matters involving prominent individuals and corporate clients, maintaining a practice that spans criminal defence, regulatory litigation and commercial disputes. He remains based at the Bombay High Court where he appears for a varied roster of clients.
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Recent Work

Salman Khan — 2002 hit-and-run case

Represented the actor in 2015 proceedings that resulted in bail with a monetary fine.

2015
Nestle India — Maggi noodles litigation

Acted as counsel for Nestle India in litigation related to the Maggi noodles ban.

2015
Vijay Mallya — money laundering case

Appointed to represent businessman Vijay Mallya in money-laundering proceedings.

2018
Aryan Khan — narcotics-related case support

Engaged in 2021 to assist with procedural matters following the denial of bail.

2021
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Career Highlights

  1. Designated as a senior advocate in 2007
  2. Represented high-profile clients in criminal and commercial matters
  3. Served as special counsel and special public prosecutor for Maharashtra
  4. Assisted in the LIC versus Escorts case during the tenure of Attorney General K. Parasaran
  5. Speaker at legal and regulatory forums including the International Bar Association
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Amit Desai known for?

Senior Advocate