SKOCH Summit
Agenda
India’s brightest legal luminaries, practitioners and experts from the field of Justice, Law and Policy are coming together to adorn the 2nd edition of SKOCH India Law Forum on 26th August 2023 at New Delhi. SKOCH India Law Forum is the only platform that deliberates and returns actionable recommendations on the burning issues of its times.
The Forum features India Law Awards independently instituted by SKOCH Group. This year SKOCH India Law Forum Lifetime Achievement Award is conferred on Justice Chittatosh Mookerjee, Former Chief Justice, Calcutta High Court. Additionally, eminent Judges and Lawyers are conferred SKOCH Award for Service to Justice and Service to Law respectively.
Justice M N Venkatachaliah, Former Chief Justice of India received the SKOCH Lifetime Achievement Award, 2022. A festschrift in his honour edited by Bibek Debroy and Sameer Kochhar entitled At the Intersection of Law & Life: Essays in Honour of Justice M N Venkatachaliah will be unveiled during SKOCH India Law Forum.
0900 - 12:10
Inaugural Session
Har Ghar Tiranga
Opening Remarks: Mr Sameer Kochhar, Chairman, SKOCH Group
Summary: Mr Kochhar reflects on the profound intersection of law and life, using the Independence of India Act and the tragedy of Partition as a personal and national reference point. They caution against jingoism in both popular culture and public policy, particularly in emerging areas such as cryptocurrency, fintech, and gaming. Emphasising the need for space for dissent, the speaker highlights concerns around media-driven narratives influencing society. They call for a broader understanding of diversity beyond sexuality, advocating for a Diversity Commission to address discrimination, employment, and economic opportunity. The speaker also examines complex constitutional and policy questions around the Uniform Civil Code and federal jurisdiction over digital governance. Finally, they reaffirm the importance of institutional independence and democratic balance in a rapidly digitising India.*
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Lifetime Achievement Award & Film Premiere: Justice Chittatosh Mookerjee
Acceptance by Justice Chittatosh Mookerjee, Former Chief Justice, Calcutta & Bombay High Court
Summary: Justice Mukherjee was honored with the SKOCH India Law Firm Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his extraordinary legal career and enduring legacy. Beginning his practice in 1953 at the Calcutta High Court, he was known for exceptional quality and volume of work, carrying nearly 3,000 briefs before his elevation to the Bench. His judgments were marked by clarity, precision, and the ability to cut through complexity to address core legal issues. As the first Chairman of the West Bengal Human Rights Commission, he played a pivotal role in translating constitutional ideals into practical protection of rights. Accepting the award with humility in his 94th year, he attributed the praise to the generosity of others. He dedicated the honor to the memory of his ancestors and expressed deep respect for the judicial values and individuals who shaped his life.*
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Star of India Award to be Conferred on Late L M Singhvi
Acceptance by Mr Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Eminent Jurist, Writer and Parliamentarian
Summary: The speaker accepts the SKOCH Star of India Award on behalf of his late father, Padma Bhushan L. M. Singhvi, reflecting on an era defined by ideas, grace, and intellectual breadth. He recalls formative professional experiences and landmark legal moments that shaped his own journey and the legal fraternity. Emphasising the Renaissance spirit of his father, the speaker highlights Singhvi’s contributions across law, Parliament, diplomacy, and literature. He recounts Singhvi’s role in conceptualising the Lokpal and Lokayukta, Law Day, and the foundations of India’s diaspora engagement. The address contrasts this legacy of camaraderie and vision with the growing pettiness of contemporary discourse. The speaker concludes by humbly accepting the award and commending the SKOCH Foundation’s commitment to thoughtful dialogue and public policy.*
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Challenger Award & Acceptance: Justice U U Lalit, Former Chief Justice of India
Summary: Justice U. U. Lalit described receiving the SKOCH Challenger Award as a deeply humbling and meaningful moment. He reflected on his four-decade-long journey in law, spanning advocacy, judicial service, and leadership as Chief Justice of India. He noted that the legal profession has given him immense personal and professional satisfaction. Justice Lalit emphasized that recognition from peers provides a special sense of encouragement beyond individual fulfillment. He shared that he continues to remain connected to the field through academic engagement. He concluded by expressing heartfelt gratitude to the SKOCH Awards and the legal fraternity.*
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Ganesh Vandana
Book Release
Book Discussion: At the Intersection of Law & Life: Essays in Honour of Justice M N Venkatachaliah
Summary: The session paid tribute to Justice M. N. Venkatachaliah by reflecting on his enduring legacy as a jurist, institution-builder, and public intellectual, highlighting qualities such as gravitas, dignity, grace, integrity, and independence as the hallmarks of a great judge. Panelists recalled his erudite judgments, courteous courtroom conduct, encouragement of young lawyers, and commitment to fairness that inspired confidence in litigants and the Bar alike. His contributions to reducing judicial pendency, advancing ADR, embracing technology, and strengthening court administration were emphasized, along with his foresight in shaping legal principles that continue to guide Indian jurisprudence. Speakers also underscored his role in judicial education, human rights, and post-retirement public service, noting that his influence extended far beyond the bench. The discussion concluded by affirming that a judge’s most lasting impact lies not only in judgments, but in ideas, character, institutional integrity, and the visible assurance that justice is both done and seen to be done.*
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Address by Justice M N Venkatachaliah, Former Chief Justice of India
Summary: The speaker expressed deep humility and gratitude for the affection and recognition shown by the SKOCH forum and the panelists, emphasizing that the praise reflected their generosity rather than his own deserving. He warned of three major threats facing human societies today: the existential risks to human survival, the concentration of power and wealth driven by disruptive technologies, and the crisis of ethical leadership. He stressed that democracy cannot coexist with extreme concentration of economic power. Reflecting on law and justice, he highlighted the central role of courts and constitutions in protecting the weak against the strong and safeguarding unpopular minorities. He underscored that law cannot be separated from values, and that constitutional interpretation must give meaning to enduring principles in changing contexts. Concluding personally, he spoke with optimism despite his advanced age, reaffirming his lifelong devotion to duty and gratitude toward the legal fraternity.*
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Tarana
SKOCH ILF AWARD for Service to Justice: Justice Indira Banerjee, Former Judge, Supreme Court of India
Summary: Justice Indira Banerjee expressed deep humility and gratitude on receiving the SKOCH ILF Award for Service to Justice. She reflected that her judicial career was guided by a sincere effort to perform her duties to the best of her ability and understanding of the law. Emphasizing integrity, she stated that she only sought to live up to the oath of office she had taken. She refrained from claiming personal merit, viewing the award as an act of generosity by the institution. The recognition, she noted, was both encouraging and meaningful. Her remarks underscored a lifelong commitment to duty, restraint, and service to justice.*
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SKOCH ILF AWARD for Service to Justice: Justice Najmi Waziri, Former Judge, Delhi High Court
Summary: Justice Najmi Waziri spoke with humility on receiving the award for Service to Justice, emphasizing that a judge’s primary role is to decide cases without fear or favor. He described adjudication as an effort to bring closure and smooth out disputes between parties, rather than a pursuit of recognition. He noted that the acknowledgment he received was incidental to the work of judging. Justice Waziri credited his journey to the collective efforts and support of many people. He concluded by reflecting that progress in life requires having a clear dream and purpose.*
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SKOCH ILF AWARD for Service to Law: Geeta Luthra, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India
Summary: Geeta Luthra, Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court of India, expressed gratitude on receiving the SKOCH India ILF Award for Service to Justice. She addressed the debate on the Uniform Civil Code, noting concerns that it could be disruptive or divisive. She argued that if implemented carefully as a minimum civil code, it could strengthen and protect the rights of women. She emphasized that discussions framed around religious parameters risk deepening divisions. Stressing national unity, she stated that India must embrace and respect its cultural and social diversity. She concluded by thanking the SKOCH leadership and team for the honor and the event.*
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SKOCH ILF AWARD for Service to Law: Arshad Hidayatullah, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India
Summary: Arshad Hidayatullah, Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court of India, expressed humility and gratitude on receiving the SKOCH India ILF Award for Service to Law. Reflecting on his 51-year legal career, he credited early mentorship during the Emergency for guiding him toward administrative law. He noted that challenges to high indirect tax rates also shaped his professional journey. Acknowledging being typecast through specialization, he shared that he had no regrets about that path. He expressed pride in joining a lineage of distinguished seniors who had received the same honor. He concluded by thanking the Indian Law Forum and expressing regret at not being able to attend in person due to health reasons.*
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SKOCH ILF AWARD for Service to Law: Bahram N Vakil, Co-Founder, AZB & Partners
Summary: Behram Vakil, co-founder of AZB & Partners, expressed deep humility on receiving the award, noting the honor of sharing the platform with eminent judges and legal leaders. He thanked the SKOCH team for the recognition and emphasized gratitude as the core reason for his presence. He acknowledged the personal sacrifices of his wife and the inspiration drawn from his parents and children. Reflecting on his professional journey, he credited his formative years at Little & Company and the collective efforts of his AZB team. He highlighted the importance of grace, humility, and inclusiveness in a rapidly growing India. He concluded by stressing that true progress requires carrying all sections of society together.*
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SKOCH ILF AWARD for Service to Law: Jaideep Gupta, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India
Summary: Jaideep Gupta expressed gratitude and surprise on receiving the SKOCH ILF Award for Service to Law, thanking the organizers for welcoming him into the SKOCH family. He reflected on his legal journey shaped by senior judges before whom he practiced in the Calcutta High Court and later in the Supreme Court. Sharing personal anecdotes, he highlighted the prodigious intellect, openness, and humility of judicial leaders who welcomed critical legal argument. He recalled how juniors were encouraged to speak and learn courtroom craft under supportive judges. He emphasized the importance of intellectual curiosity and respect for legal principles in adjudication. He concluded by acknowledging the encouragement received from the judiciary in shaping his professional growth.*
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SKOCH ILF AWARD for Service to Law: Karuna Nundy, Advocate, Supreme Court of India
Summary: Karuna Nundy expressed heartfelt gratitude on receiving the award, reflecting on the challenges faced by first-generation litigators and the intense nature of courtroom practice. She highlighted the importance of judicial support and precedent in sustaining difficult causes, referencing key interventions in the Bhopal cases that advanced justice. She acknowledged the kindness, mentorship, and pro bono commitment of senior judges and lawyers who supported her work. Emphasizing solidarity, she spoke of the encouragement received from women judges and colleagues in the profession. She described her team as her “legal family,” valuing kindness alongside brilliance. She concluded by thanking her colleagues and mentors for lifting and supporting her throughout her journey.*
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SKOCH ILF AWARD for Service to Law: Nishith Desai, Founder, Nishith Desai Associates
Summary: Nishith Desai expressed gratitude and humility on receiving the award, thanking the SKOCH Group, his family, and colleagues for their support and inspiration. He emphasized the responsibility of shaping a “new world charm” by focusing on the future rather than the past. He highlighted how emerging technologies, business models, and social changes bring new legal, ethical, and policy challenges that require long-term foresight. He cautioned that technology, while enabling growth, can also concentrate power and raise serious ethical concerns, especially with AI. He stressed the need to integrate human rights with business, addressing issues such as modern-day slavery, climate refugees, and immigration. He concluded by calling for collective effort to deliver justice efficiently, without compromising fairness, through willpower, innovation, and collaboration.*
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SKOCH ILF AWARD for Service to Law: Rajeev Chopra, Managing Director - Legal, Accenture
Summary: Rajiv Chopra, Managing Director–Legal at Accenture, expressed humility and surprise on receiving the award, describing himself as an outlier among a distinguished legal gathering. He reflected on his 30-year career, noting that his role as in-house counsel focuses on preventing litigation rather than appearing in court. He emphasized that the recognition belongs as much to others as to him. Chopra acknowledged the unconditional support of his family as central to his professional journey. He credited his large Accenture legal and business teams in India, whom he represented on stage, for the impact they collectively create. He concluded by thanking his mentors and the SKOCH Group for the honor.*
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SKOCH ILF AWARD for Service to Law: V Lakshmikumaran, Managing Partner, Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan
Summary: V. Lakshmi Kumaran spoke with deep humility on receiving the award, reflecting on his journey from an economically backward village in Tamil Nadu to the Supreme Court of India. He recalled questioning his own worthiness when he first argued before the Court and acknowledged the encouragement of the Attorney General in guiding him from bureaucracy to law. He emphasized that his purpose as a lawyer went beyond arguing cases, drawing inspiration from the Taittiriya Upanishad on the joy of giving and sharing. He identified his true contribution as mentoring and empowering young, often unseen law graduates. His focus has been on training them to become outstanding lawyers, even better than himself. He concluded that nurturing the next generation is his most meaningful service to the profession.*
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Mr Sameer Kochhar
Chairman, SKOCH Group
Reforms historian and author of best-seller ModiNomics, Sameer Kochhar is Chairman, SKOCH Group. He is a passionate advocate of social, digital and financial inclusion and is a foremost expert on governance and inclusive growth. His work has been acclaimed globally and endorsed by Mr Narendra Modi, Mr M Venkaiah Naidu, Dr Manmohan Singh, Mr Arun Jaitley, Mr P Chidambaram, Mr Yashwant Sinha, Dr C Rangarajan and Dr Montek Singh Ahluwalia and so on. In his thinking and writings and activities, his profound admiration for India's economic reforms and in extension, those outstanding personalities who strive to make these reforms more meaningful and broad-based comes out clear and unambiguous.
View MoreMr Abhishek Manu Singhvi
Eminent Jurist, Writer and Parliamentarian
Abhishek Singhvi is an eminent jurist, writer and parliamentarian. One of the seniormost national spokespersons of the Congress party, he is also the youngest designated Senior Advocate (at age thirty-four), the youngest Additional Solicitor General of India (at thirty-seven) and the youngest elected vice president of the Supreme Court Bar Association (at thirty-nine). He was chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Law and the AICC Law and Human Rights Department. He was bestowed the Global Leader of Tomorrow Award by the World Economic Forum, Davos in 1999 He has written popular fortnightly columns for the Hindustan Times (Candid Corner”) and the Times of India (‘SubVerse”).Educated at St Columba’s School (all-India topper) and St Stephen’s College in Delhi, and Trinity College, Cambridge, he also did a short summer programme at Harvard. Two recent publications, Legal Eagles and Courting Politics, list Dr Singhvi among the top few lawyers in India. He has endowed many charities in India and abroad.
View MoreJustice U U Lalit
Former Chief Justice of India
Justice U U Lalit, a legal luminary with a distinguished career that has left an indelible mark on the Indian judiciary. Enrolled as an Advocate in 1983, he shifted his practice to Delhi in 1986 and earned the designation of Senior Advocate by the Supreme Court in 2004. His reputation as a formidable legal mind led to his appointment as the Special Public Prosecutor for CBI in all 2G matters. In 2014, Justice Lalit's remarkable contributions were recognized with his appointment as a Judge of the Supreme Court of India, where he served with distinction until his retirement on November 8, 2022. His judicial legacy includes landmark judgments, notably the ruling on the practice of instant 'triple talaq' as "void," "illegal," and "unconstitutional" in 2017. Additionally, he played a pivotal role in granting the erstwhile royal family of Travancore the management right over the historic Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Kerala.
View MoreJustice Indira Banerjee
Former Judge, Supreme Court of India
Justice Indira Banerjee, a distinguished figure whose tenure as a Supreme Court judge was defined by her focus on quality over volume. Despite her reserved demeanour during hearings, her pointed questions would leave counsel scrambling for answers. As the 8th woman to serve in the Supreme Court, she became a Judge of the Calcutta High Court in 2002 and later served in the Delhi High Court before becoming the Chief Justice of the Madras High Court in 2017.
Finally, on August 7th, 2018, she reached the pinnacle of her career as a Supreme Court judge, retiring on September 23rd, 2022, after an illustrious four-year tenure. Beyond her legal achievements, Justice Banerjee passionately addressed the challenges faced by women in the legal profession, acknowledging the delicate balance between career and family responsibilities.
View MoreJustice Najmi Waziri
Former Judge, Delhi High Court
Justice Najmi Waziri is a distinguished legal scholar celebrated for his significant contributions and strong commitment to environmental conservation. His academic journey, marked by a philosophy degree from St. Stephen's College and an LLB from Delhi University's Campus Law Centre, led him to be recognized as a member of the Bar Council of Delhi in 1987. Further enriching his legal prowess, he pursued an LLM from Vrije Universiteit Brussels in Belgium. Justice Waziri's career trajectory encompasses practice before esteemed legal entities, including the Supreme Court, various High Courts, and a range of tribunals. His advocacy for environmental preservation earned him the moniker "green judge" due to his compassionate verdicts and efforts to protect the city's trees and surroundings. He was elevated to the Delhi High Court in April 2013.
View MoreGeeta Luthra
Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India
Geeta Luthra is a designated Senior Advocate, in the Supreme Court of India. She has an LL.M(Masters in Law) and M. Phil. in International Relations from the University of Cambridge, UK. She has been practicing law since 1980, in the Supreme Court of India and various High Court.She is the Vice President of the Indian Council of Arbitration FICCI, a member of India chapter Core committee and the International Academy of Family Lawyers. She is also a member of the Women’s White Collar Defense Association (WWCDA). Has served as a sole arbitrator in many cases of domestic and international arbitration. Being a Senior Advocate, she has argued/represented various Public Sector Units and Private Companies in arbitral disputes She has appeared as a counsel in several landmark cases and has expertise in myriad facets of law, including Criminal Law, Constitutional Law, Arbitration Law, Human Rights, Economic offenses under the Prevention of Money Laundering, PMLA Act, Benami transactions and other criminal and appellate remedies before the adjudicating PMLA authorities. She has also argued matters relating to insolvency bankruptcy Courts in the NCLT and NCLAT School of Oriental and African Studies). She is presently Additional Advocate General for the State of Haryana in the Supreme Court of India.
View MoreArshad Hidayatullah
Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India
Arshad Hidayatullah is a distinguished legal professional whose remarkable journey began in Nagpur on January 22, 1949. With a strong educational foundation, he graduated with honors in Economics from St. Stephen's College, Delhi University, and pursued advanced studies at Trinity College, Cambridge University, excelling in Administrative and Constitutional Laws, particularly in areas of Indirect Taxation and Land matters. Starting his legal career under the guidance of Soli J. Sorabjee in 1972 (SKOCH Star of India Awardee), Mr. Hidayatullah's expertise quickly flourished. He played a pivotal role in significant cases during the Emergency, displaying a profound impact in the legal arena.
View MoreBahram N Vakil
Co-Founder, AZB & Partners
Bahram N. Vakil, Co-Founder, and Senior Partner at AZB & Partners have a long experience in the areas of restructuring, bankruptcy, and infrastructure/project finance experience. He has served on various high–level government committees on financial reform, foreign direct investment, and securities market reform. Amongst these, Bahram was appointed as a key member of the Dr. T K Viswanathan Bankruptcy Law Reforms Committee, constituted by the Indian Ministry of Finance, to draft the IBC. Bahram is also a member of the (i) Insolvency Law Amendment Committee, constituted by the MCA to recommend amendments to the IBC; and (ii) International Insolvency Institute (“III”), a non-profit, limited membership organization set up to promote international cooperation/coordination in the insolvency field. Bahram is the first lawyer to be invited to the III. Bahram is also on the board of governors of INSOL India, an independent leadership body representing practitioners and other associated professionals specializing in the fields of restructuring, insolvency, and turnaround. Bahram also serves on the following committees: (i) Member of the Task Force on the Development of Secondary Market for Corporate Loans set up by the RBI (2019); (ii) the Financial Sector Legislative Reforms Committee – SEBI Advisory Group (2011); and (iii) the U.K. Sinha Committee – Working Group on Foreign Investment in India (2010).
View MoreJaideep Gupta
Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India
Jaideep Gupta, an eminent advocate with over 30 years of experience in commercial and constitutional law litigation. Coming from a family of lawyers, he holds an Economics degree from the University of Kolkata and qualified for the English Bar after studying law at the University of Cambridge in 1985. After establishing himself in the High Court of Calcutta, he rose to prominence in the Supreme Court of India, earning the prestigious designation of Senior Advocate in 2002. His expertise extends to international arbitral tribunals, further solidifying his reputation in the legal domain. Beyond his legal contributions, Jaideep co-authored the section on Arbitration in the esteemed Halsbury Laws of India.
View MoreKaruna Nundy
Advocate, Supreme Court of India
Karuna Nundy, an outstanding advocate at the Supreme Court of India and an international human rights lawyer. With a wide-ranging clientele including governments, the United Nations, companies, and civil society movements, she excels in legal policy advising and representation. She fearlessly challenges unconstitutional online speech restrictions before the Indian Supreme Court and passionately handles pro bono cases, including those related to the 1984 Bhopal gas disaster and toxic waste dumps. Her advocacy extends to diverse cases involving alleged terrorists, mentally ill individuals, and sexual harassment class actions. She has also contributed significantly to legal reform in countries like Nepal, Pakistan, Bhutan, and the Maldives. Karuna's unique ability to explain complex legal issues in an accessible manner makes her a leading figure in shaping public discourse about rights and liberties.
View MoreNishith Desai
Founder, Nishith Desai Associates
Nishith Desai’s mastery as an International Tax, Corporate, and Technology lawyer is complemented by a wide-ranging interest in law and society. Nishith's forward-looking approach drives his exploration of cutting-edge domains like blockchain, autonomous vehicles, and gene-editing technology. He's pivotal in crafting crypto-assets regulations for the Indian Government. Notably, he spearheaded advancements in Financial Services and advised Mauritius and India on offshore financial centers. His commitment to societal good and innovation is exemplified by the Imaginarium Aligunjan, a research center fostering 'Blue Sky Thinking.' Nishith Desai Associates has consistently earned acclaim, including Asia-Pacific's Most Innovative Law Firm (2017) and India's Most Innovative Law Firm for five consecutive years, reflecting Nishith's pioneering legal journey.
View MoreRajeev Chopra
Managing Director - Legal, Accenture
Rajeev Chopra, an exceptional legal professional with over two decades of experience. After a successful private practice, he ventured into in-house roles in 2003, representing multinational corporations in various legal matters. Rajeev's impressive journey includes leadership positions at LG Electronics, Bharti Airtel, Dell, and his current role as Managing Director - Legal at Accenture. In his capacity, Rajeev oversees legal affairs across India, Philippines, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, building high-visibility legal teams that play a crucial role in the company's development. Additionally, he sits on the company's leadership team and serves on the board of directors for Accenture's entities in India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.
View MoreV Lakshmikumaran
Managing Partner, Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan
V Lakshmikumaran, a prominent litigating lawyer in India with an impressive career spanning over three decades. Prior to entering legal practice in 1985, he served in the Indian Revenue Services. Today, he is a respected legal authority, representing clients across diverse sectors before various adjudicating authorities, tribunals, high courts, and the Supreme Court of India. With extensive experience in taxation, international trade, intellectual property, commercial disputes, and environmental law, he has handled over a thousand cases in the Supreme Court and various High Courts, leading to several landmark judgments. Notably, Mr. Lakshmikumaran is renowned for his expertise in trade remedy laws and TRIPs, having resolved disputes between companies and government authorities in multiple countries.
View More1210 - 1300
Policy
Is the Gaming Dice Loaded?
Opening Remarks: Mr Sameer Kochhar, Chairman, SKOCH Group
Policy: Is the Gaming Dice Loaded?
- Is there a case for reviewing GST on online gaming?
- Whose order of business in the Government is Gaming/Gambling?
- Is it possible to differentiate between games of skill and chance?
- Does India lack policing and enforcement skills in the field of Gaming and Virtual Digital Assets?
- What should be a prudent regulatory framework and structure?
Mr Sameer Kochhar
Chairman, SKOCH Group
Reforms historian and author of best-seller ModiNomics, Sameer Kochhar is Chairman, SKOCH Group. He is a passionate advocate of social, digital and financial inclusion and is a foremost expert on governance and inclusive growth. His work has been acclaimed globally and endorsed by Mr Narendra Modi, Mr M Venkaiah Naidu, Dr Manmohan Singh, Mr Arun Jaitley, Mr P Chidambaram, Mr Yashwant Sinha, Dr C Rangarajan and Dr Montek Singh Ahluwalia and so on. In his thinking and writings and activities, his profound admiration for India's economic reforms and in extension, those outstanding personalities who strive to make these reforms more meaningful and broad-based comes out clear and unambiguous.
Dr Ashwani Mahajan
National Co-convenor, Swadeshi Jagran Manch
Dr. Ashwani Mahajan is the National Co-Convener of Swadeshi Jagaran Manch (SJM), an Indian political and cultural organisation. SJM is affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. Dr. Mahajan is an author and columnist. He is an Associate Professor at PGDAV College, Delhi and has also been the Chief Editor of the Journal of Contemporary Indian Polity and Economy since 2011. He is also a Visiting Professor and Research Guide at Pacific University, Udaipur and Mewar University. He works as a researcher and activist on the World Trade Organization (WTO) and other international trade agreements.
As National Co-Convener of Swadeshi Jagran Manch, he has been instrumental in advocating for the evolution of economic policies. His policy interventions include withdrawal of controversial ordinance on land acquisition, getting field trials of GM crops policy revisited, FDI policy of the government especially retail trade and e-commerce.
Dr Pinky Anand
Senior Advocate and Former Additional Solicitor General
An Additional Solicitor General at the Supreme Court of India and a trustee of The Arts and Cultural Heritage Trust, is a distinguished legal professional. A Harvard Law School graduate, Inlaks scholar, and honorary professor at Amity Law School, she is India's second woman to hold this high constitutional law office.
Ms Tanisha Khanna
Co-head, Gaming Practice Group
Nishith Desai Associate
Mr Rakesh Asthana
Former Police Commissioner of Delhi
Ms Kirti Singh
Advocate, Supreme Court of India
Mr Manish Tewari
Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha & Senior Spokesperson, Indian National Congress
Mr Wajahat Habibullah
Former Chief Information, Commissioner
Mr Jaideep Gupta
Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India
Mr Rohan Kochhar
Founder, SKOCH Law Offices
Rohan Kochhar stands at the intersection of economics, social science, and law, leveraging his multidisciplinary expertise to drive impactful change in public policy, emerging technologies, and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) initiatives. As the founder of SKOCH Law Offices, Rohan has built a boutique law firm renowned for its deep domain knowledge and innovative approach to legal challenges.
1250 - 1330
Rights
Diversity Commission - Equality for All
Rights: Diversity Commission - Equality for all
- What is the role of Constitution, State and Society in personal choices?
- What can be done for an equal treatment of LGBTQIA+?
- Is there a need for a Diversity Commission? Why?
- How can public at large be sensitised on diversity?
Dr Gursharan Dhanjal
Vice Chairman, SKOCH Group
Dr Gursharan Dhanjal, MA, M.Phil, PhD from Delhi University, an expert in development economics. He is Vice Chairman, SKOCH Group. He is also Editor of INCLUSION—a quarterly publication that focuses on inclusive growth related areas. He has led various research projects, impact assessments and field studies in MSMEs, women empowerment, entitlements, rights, sanitation, social inclusion, health, financial inclusion, e-governance and ICT for development that included traversing across the country, collecting citizen voices for over two decades now.
Karuna Nundy
Advocate, Supreme Court of India
Karuna Nundy, an outstanding advocate at the Supreme Court of India and an international human rights lawyer. With a wide-ranging clientele including governments, the United Nations, companies, and civil society movements, she excels in legal policy advising and representation. She fearlessly challenges unconstitutional online speech restrictions before the Indian Supreme Court and passionately handles pro bono cases, including those related to the 1984 Bhopal gas disaster and toxic waste dumps. Her advocacy extends to diverse cases involving alleged terrorists, mentally ill individuals, and sexual harassment class actions. She has also contributed significantly to legal reform in countries like Nepal, Pakistan, Bhutan, and the Maldives. Karuna's unique ability to explain complex legal issues in an accessible manner makes her a leading figure in shaping public discourse about rights and liberties.
View More
Ms Muskan Tibrewala
Lawyer
Mr Rajeev Chopra
Managing Director - Legal, Accenture
