Winsaa

Advocate Anik M Iktear Uddin

(Redirected from Draft:Advocate Anik M Iktear Uddin)

Advocate Anik M Iktear Uddin (born 1984), widely known as Advocate Anik, is an Indian advocate, cybercrime specialist and legal consultant based in Bengaluru, Karnataka. He is the co-founder and partner of the full-service law firm Prime Legal and has been appointed as a Special Public Prosecutor for the state of Karnataka in several high-profile criminal cases, including a notable double murder case in JP Nagar. Over the course of his career, he has handled more than 30,000 cases across India, with a focus on cybercrime, commercial disputes, fintech regulation, consumer protection and criminal law. He has also advised major companies and startups, particularly in the fintech, transport, technology and recruitment sectors, and has been frequently cited in the media for his work in cyber and consumer crime cases.

Early Life

A M Iktear Uddin was born in 1984 in a small village in the Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal, India. His father was the late Abdul Jalil, and his mother was the late Nanda, who later converted to Islam and was renamed Shanaz Parvin alias Anwara. His mother passed away in 1986, within two years of his birth, and his father died soon afterwards, leaving him orphaned at a young age.

He grew up in a dual-faith environment, experiencing both Muslim and Hindu cultures within his extended family and surroundings. This upbringing fostered in him a deep understanding of and respect for both religions and for cultural diversity in general. In 1999, he relocated from West Bengal to Bangalore to pursue his education and build his professional career.

Education

After moving to Bangalore in 1999, Anik completed his SSLC (10th grade) in 2001, followed by his Pre-University Course (PUC) in 2003.

He then enrolled in a five-year integrated Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) program at Bangalore University, graduating in 2008. Seeking advanced legal training, he pursued a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Business Law – Corporate Law at University Law College (ULC), affiliated with Bangalore University. He completed the two-year full-time LL.M. programme in 2010, securing First Class with 2nd rank. He remains a lifetime alumnus of ULC.

Following his graduation, he enrolled with the Bar Council of Karnataka in 2010 and began practicing law, representing clients before courts, law enforcement agencies and various institutions.

Legal Career

Advocate Anik began his legal journey in 2006, providing administrative and legal support at a law firm in Malleswaram while still completing his studies. During this period, he co-founded and managed a venture called Legal Troubleshooting with his partner and classmate, Ayantika Mondal. The firm focused on property title verification, advisory on data protection laws and related documentation. Alongside this, he worked as Admission Head and part-time law lecturer at Bangalore School of Business, contributing to legal education and training.

In 2010, he joined Deshraj and P C Reddy Chambers in Gandhi Nagar, Bangalore, a law firm established in 1984. There he worked as an associate until July 2012, handling litigation in various courts across Karnataka, preparing briefs and pleadings, conducting legal research and appearing in multiple matters including before the High Court of Karnataka. In July 2012, he moved to Dell International India Pvt Ltd as a Legal Associate, where he was involved in policy drafting, vetting legal documents, coordinating with external counsel, handling consumer and recovery litigation issues, and advising on contracts, trademarks, employment issues and regulatory compliance.

Prime Legal was initially founded in 2009 by Anik and partners, and from 2013 to 2015 he worked as an associate at Prime Legal, handling litigation, research and court appearances across Karnataka. In 2015, he joined ANI Technologies Pvt Ltd (Ola Cabs) and its group companies, where he served in various senior roles including Senior Legal Manager and Head – Law Enforcement, and later Associate Director and Country Head of Legal (OFT) and Law Enforcement (Group). In these roles he led legal affairs and engagement with law enforcement across India, the United Kingdom and Australia, oversaw complex litigation from heinous crime to policy-related matters, and acted as a key liaison with government departments and ministries.

In 2019, Advocate Anik returned to Prime Legal full-time as partner and co-founder, focusing on expanding the firm’s partnerships with national law firms such as Vidhikarya and building a wider network of legal collaborations. He is also associated with other legal entities, including OLQ Online Legal Experts and Anik and Associates, and serves on advisory boards of several companies. His practice spans High Courts and various judicial forums across India, where he represents clients in civil, criminal, corporate and commercial disputes, cybercrime matters, consumer cases and regulatory proceedings.

Notable Cases and Legal Contributions

Advocate Anik is widely known for his role as a Special Public Prosecutor for the state of Karnataka in serious criminal cases. Among his notable assignments is a high-profile double murder case in JP Nagar, where he appeared as Special Public Prosecutor.

He has played a strategic role in multiple cases involving major corporations and digital platforms, particularly during his tenure at Ola Cabs and in later consultancy roles. Key highlights include:

  • Acting as Special Public Prosecutor and counsel in serious criminal matters, including high-profile double murder and violent crime cases.
  • Securing compensation exceeding ₹1 million for a client in a significant consumer dispute, a case that received wide media coverage.
  • Advising fintech companies and clients in Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigations involving amounts up to ₹2,500 crores.
  • Handling over 30,000 cases across India, with a strong specialization in cybercrime, financial fraud, and complex commercial and criminal litigation.
  • Representing companies and individuals before agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Central Crime Branch (CCB), Fraud Prevention Units and various cybercrime cells.
  • Assisting in investigations and litigation related to cryptocurrency wallets and exchanges, including advising globally recognised crypto platforms on compliance and enforcement issues.

He has been actively involved in writ petitions and other strategic litigation before the High Court of Karnataka, including matters involving mediation centres and regulatory disputes. His work in cases such as a minor’s rape and murder case and the Preet Vihar doctor abduction case drew significant attention; in the latter, he provided technical and legal support in a rescue operation later depicted in a crime series based on cab-related crimes.

Legal Aid and Social Justice Work

From 2012 to 2015, Advocate Anik was associated with the District Legal Services Authority, where he served as a conciliator for a large number of pre-litigation cases. Through mediation, he assisted in resolving more than 10,000 disputes. He also represented many indigent and financially weak clients pro bono, ensuring they received legal support at all stages of litigation.

Even after his formal tenure with legal aid services, his firm continues to extend options for free legal advice and assistance, reflecting his commitment to accessible justice and social responsibility.

Collaboration with Law Enforcement

Throughout his career in law firms, corporate roles and private practice, Anik has closely collaborated with police and investigative agencies across several Indian states. He has assisted police teams in high-risk investigations, including:

  • A widely reported case involving the rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl in Kolkata.
  • The Preet Vihar doctor abduction case, where he provided crucial inputs, location details and legal strategy, contributing to the safe rescue of the victim.
  • Multiple cybercrime and financial fraud investigations handled by cyber crime cells and special task forces.

He has served as nodal officer and primary law enforcement contact for aggregator companies in sectors such as taxi services, fintech and crypto, coordinating responses to thousands of police enquiries and investigations on a day-to-day basis. His work has been featured in crime and investigative television series, and he is frequently consulted by authorities on cybercrime prevention and enforcement strategies.

Corporate Affairs and Crisis Management

Advocate Anik is recognised for his corporate affairs and crisis management expertise. He has played a leading role in:

  • Managing large-scale strikes involving driver-partners and employees, restoring business continuity through negotiation and legal intervention.
  • Working with government departments on the framing and interpretation of state laws related to taxis and bike taxis.
  • Addressing regulatory and public policy issues affecting technology and mobility companies.
  • Revoking a government ban on a major company within a short period by engaging with authorities, clarifying legal issues and addressing compliance concerns.
  • Participating in public initiatives such as Road Safety Month and awareness campaigns like the One Life road safety campaign in collaboration with police and legal services authorities.
  • Launching and supporting socially responsible initiatives, such as jute bag distribution at courts and public legal awareness drives.

Recognition and Awards

Advocate Anik has received multiple recognitions from both law enforcement agencies and media outlets for his contributions to law and public safety. His honours include:

  • Email appreciation from the Superintendent of Police, CID, Cyber Crime, Hyderabad (27 February 2016).
  • Email appreciation from the Deputy Superintendent of Police, CID, Cyber Crime, Bangalore (27 March 2016).
  • Letter of appreciation from the Government of Telangana, Police Department (21 October 2016).
  • Letter of appreciation from the Special Task Force, Bhopal (5 November 2016).
  • Letter of appreciation from the Anti-Terrorism Squad, Gujarat State (12 July 2017).
  • Special thanks and appreciation letter from the Government of West Bengal, Cyber Crime, Birbhum (27 December 2018).

He has also been profiled or recognised as a leading lawyer by several news and digital platforms, including Daily Hunt, Borok Times, Scoop360, Tripura 360 News, Indian Times Express, Hindustan Pioneer, Weekly Mail, Entrepreneur Story, Daily Mail Express, Express Hunt, Times Ticker, Prime 24 Seven and others, often cited as one of the best lawyers in Bangalore in cybercrime and commercial law domains.

Media Coverage and Interviews

Advocate Anik has been featured in exclusive interviews and reports across various national and regional media outlets, such as Business Standard, Deccan Herald, The Print, Hindustan Times, ANI News, ED Times and other publications. Through these interviews he has shared insights on cybercrime victim rights, financial fraud, consumer protection, enforcement trends, legal challenges for technology platforms and broader issues of digital safety and regulation.

His involvement in cases like the Preet Vihar abduction and other high-profile matters has also been depicted in crime series focusing on cab-related offences and cybercrime.

Social Contributions

Beyond his professional practice, Anik has been actively engaged in supporting non-governmental organisations and social causes. In particular, he has worked closely with NGOs such as Taalsah, providing pro bono legal assistance in anti-human trafficking initiatives.

Through these efforts he has contributed to the rescue and rehabilitation of more than 100 trafficking victims, including girls from Bangladesh, Nepal, Russia, Afghanistan and other countries. His work has included securing court and Ministry of Home Affairs orders for repatriation and ensuring victims receive appropriate legal and administrative support.

He is also associated with forums such as the National Forum for People’s Rights, where he has held leadership roles at the state level, promoting public rights and legal awareness.

Areas of Expertise

Over the years, Advocate Anik has developed wide-ranging expertise across multiple branches of law and legal practice, including:

  • Cybercrime and digital law
  • Criminal law and NDPS matters
  • Civil and commercial litigation
  • Corporate and business law
  • Consumer protection and product liability
  • Intellectual property law and trademarks
  • Company law and corporate governance
  • Labour and employment law
  • Family law and matrimonial disputes
  • Arbitration, mediation and alternative dispute resolution
  • Banking law, foreign investment and regulatory compliance

He is also active in legal research, drafting, due diligence, negotiation and litigation support, and is frequently endorsed for his skills in litigation, legal writing, corporate law, intellectual property and legal advisory work.

Personal Life

On 5 October 2014, A M Iktear Uddin married his college friend and fellow lawyer, Ayantika Mondal, in Bangalore. The couple met while studying LL.B and later co-founded Prime Legal. Ayantika comes from a respected family and is a Catholic Christian by birth, continuing to practice her faith after marriage. She maintains an independent legal career while also collaborating with Anik on various professional and social initiatives.

Anik’s personal journey, from a small village in West Bengal to becoming a highly ranked law graduate and a recognised advocate in Bangalore, reflects his determination, resilience and commitment to the legal profession. He continues to live and practice in Bengaluru, Karnataka, while maintaining strong ties to his roots and values shaped by his early life experiences.

External Links

Retrieved from "https://winsaa.org/index.php?title=Advocate_Anik_M_Iktear_Uddin&oldid=6713"