Criminal Law

Overview

The Practice

M/s. RRN Legal acts in criminal matters at all stages under India's new criminal codes — the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 (BNS), which replaced the Indian Penal Code; the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023 (BNSS), which replaced the Code of Criminal Procedure; and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023 (BSA), which replaced the Indian Evidence Act. These codes came into force on 1 July 2024.

The firm advises clients on their rights at the stages of arrest, remand and investigation, and conducts the defence and, where instructed, the prosecution of criminal proceedings. Partners appear before Magistrate and Sessions Courts, the High Court of Madras and specialised forums, and have experience on the criminal side of the High Court.

The practice extends to matters involving economic and white-collar offences, drugs and narcotics, and family and matrimonial criminal matters, with the firm emphasising that the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty and that early advice can be decisive.

What We Handle

Areas of Work

Bail & Anticipatory Bail

The firm acts in applications for regular bail (for a person in custody), anticipatory bail under the BNSS (for a person who apprehends arrest in a non-bailable matter), and interim bail, before the Magistrate, the Sessions Court and the High Court of Madras. The court's discretion in non-bailable matters turns on the nature and gravity of the accusation, the risk of absconding or tampering with evidence, and the antecedents of the accused.

Trial Defence & Prosecution Support

The firm conducts the defence of criminal trials before the Magistrate and Sessions Courts under the BNSS and BSA, including framing of issues, cross-examination, evidence and argument, and supports prosecution where instructed. The work is grounded in the offences and punishments defined in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023.

Economic / White-Collar Offences

The firm advises and acts in matters involving economic and white-collar offences — cheating, criminal breach of trust, forgery and related offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, and offences under special statutes — including the investigation stage, bail, and the conduct of trial and appeal.

Drugs & NDPS

The firm acts in matters under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985 (NDPS Act), which carries stringent bail conditions and procedural safeguards, advising on the investigation, the conduct of search and seizure, bail and trial in these matters.

Family / Matrimonial & Domestic Matters

The firm acts in criminal matters arising from family and matrimonial disputes, including proceedings under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 and the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005, and related quashing and bail applications, with attention to the sensitivities of these disputes.

Appeals

The firm acts in criminal appeals and revisions from the trial courts to the Sessions Court and the High Court of Madras under the BNSS, preparing grounds of appeal, applications for suspension of sentence and bail pending appeal, and arguing the matter before the appellate forum.

Our Method

How We Approach This Work

Early advice on rights at arrest, remand and investigation.
Bail strategy matched to the offence, the stage and the forum.
Defence conducted on the principle that the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Sensitivity in family and matrimonial criminal matters.

Relevant forums & statutes: Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023; Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023; Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023; NDPS Act 1985; Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005; Juvenile Justice Act 2015; Magistrate and Sessions Courts, High Court of Madras.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is anticipatory bail?

It is bail sought before arrest, under the BNSS, by a person who apprehends arrest in a non-bailable matter, asking the court to direct release in the event of arrest.

Can bail be granted in a non-bailable offence?

Yes. Bail in a non-bailable offence is discretionary, and the court grants or refuses it based on the facts and the prescribed considerations.

Which codes govern criminal matters now?

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023 and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023, in force since 1 July 2024, replacing the IPC, CrPC and Evidence Act.

Should I contact an advocate before or after arrest?

As early as possible. Early advice on rights at arrest, remand and investigation, and on anticipatory bail where arrest is apprehended, can be decisive.