Prashanto is a Senior Advocate, practicing in a broad range of commercial, regulatory and public law disputes. He was ranked Tier 1 in the first ever survey of Senior Advocates by the Legal 500 London, Asia Pacific (2022-2023). He was again ranked Tier 1 for Commercial Dispute Resolution in the 2024 and 2025 edition of this Survey. He is frequently involved in high-end commercial, environment, mining, energy and infrastructure disputes. He appears in the Supreme Court of India and the High Courts of India, as also before National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT), National Company Law Tribunal, (NCLT), Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL), Competition Commission of India (CCI), National Green Tribunal (NGT) and Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT).
Prashanto has appeared in several landmark cases such as Gayatri Balasamy v M/s ISG Novasoft Technologies Limited [2025 SCC OnLine SC 986] where a Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court decided upon the power of courts to modify Arbitral Awards in certain circumstances under the Arbitration & Conciliation Act, 1996; in AERA v DIAL & Ors [2024 SCC OnLine SC 2923] where the Supreme Court decided on the locus of a statutory regulatory body such as the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) to file an appeal against orders of a judicial Tribunal under the present legislation; Before the 7-Judge Bench of the Supreme Court In re: 2023 SCC OnLine SC 1666 which dealt with the requirement of stamping of an arbitration agreement; and in BALCO v. Kaiser Aluminium Technical Services Inc. [(2016) 4 SCC 126] where the Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court dealt with the issue of seat of arbitration in the context of international arbitration.
He has also tried to balance his commercial work with matters of public importance. Prashanto has taken up important issues of nature and conservation. He appeared in the case of Centre for Environment Law WWF 1 v. Union of India & Ors. [Writ Petition (Civil) No. 337 of 1995] and successfully argued for introduction of African Cheetahs to suitable habitats in India. He is also involved in the case for protection of the Great Indian Bustard [MK Ranjit Singh & Ors. v. Union of India & Ors. Writ Petition (Civil) No. 838 of 2019] and the ongoing case of Ashok Kumar v Union of India & Ors [Writ Petition No 1164/2023] before the Supreme Court where the amendments to the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 are under challenge as being unconstitutional. Notably, he was also involved in drafting of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006.
Prashanto has also been appointed as sole arbitrator/co-arbitrator in multiple domestic arbitrations. He regularly represents and advises clients in International Arbitrations and litigations and has appeared as a Counsel in several International Commercial Arbitrations and as an Expert Witness on Indian Law in an ICC Arbitration seated in London.
He is a core committee member of the India Arbitration Group of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and has been elected as the India Delegate to the ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR for a term of 3 years. Prashanto is also on the panel of the Singapore International Mediation Centre as a Specialist Mediator. He has acted as a Mediator in various mediations involving global conglomerates.
Prashanto is also one of the Founders, Editors, and currently Editor-in-Chief of the Quarterly Bar Review, the first journal of the Delhi High Court Bar Association. He has also been appointed on the Editorial Board of the ‘Electronic Delhi High Court Reports’ (E-DHCR), the official law reporter of Delhi High Court judgments.
Commercial and Arbitration Disputes
- Gayatri Balasamy versus m/s ISG Novasoft Technologies Limited 2025 SCCOnline SC 986
- Mercedes Benz India v CG Power & Industrial Solutions [Civil Appeal No 19536/2017] (Supreme Court);
- Sarda Energy & Minerals v Steel Authority of India [WP (C) No 8691/2024] (Delhi High Court);
- In Re: Interplay between Arbitration Agreements under the Arbitration & Conciliation Act, 1996 & the Indian Stamp Act, 1899 2023 SCC OnLine SC 1666
- JSW Steel Ltd. v. South Western Railway 2022 SCC OnLine SC 1973
- Secretary to Govt. of Kerala, Irrigation Department v. James Varghese 2022 SCC OnLine SC 545
- National Confederation of Officers Association of Public Sector Enterprises & Ors. v. Union of India & Ors. 2021 SCC OnLine SC 1086
- Bharati Shivaji & Anr. V. Union of India & Anr. W.P (C) No. 9346 of 2021 (Delhi High Court)
- Gurmeet Singh Bhatia v. Kiran Kant Robinson, (2020) 13 SCC 773
- Glencore International AG v. Hindustan Zinc Limited OMP (EFA)(COMM) No. 9 OF 2019 (Delhi High Court)
- Shiel Trade Venture Pvt. Ltd. v. Samsung India Electronics Pvt. Ltd., 2019 SCC OnLine Del 9142;
- Hindustan Zinc Limited Vs. Ajmer Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (2019) 17 SCC 82;
- General Manager, Bharat Aluminium Company Limited v. Prem Prakash (Special Leave Petition (Civil) No. 27447 Of 2017)
- BALCO v. Union of India Writ Petition (Civil) No. 8174 of 2016 (Delhi Hight Court)
- Hindustan Zinc Limited v. Union of India SLP (C) No. 19268 of 2016
- BALCO v. Union of India Writ Petition 7867 of 2015 (Delhi High Court)
- Bharat Aluminium Company Ltd. vs. National Thermal Power Corporation [Arb. Petition 66/2014 decided on 11.02.2014; Delhi High Court]
- Manohar Lal Sharma v. Principal Secretary &Ors., (2014) 2 SCC 532
- BALCO vs. Kaiser Aluminium Technical Services Inc. & Ors. (2012) 9 SCC 552
- Bharat Aluminium Company Limited v. Glencore Writ Petition No. 227 of 2010
- Dwarka Prasad Anil Kumar Inv. Private Limited v. Commissioner of Income Tax Civil Appeal 5844, 8596, 5352 and 5346 of 2010
- Indowind Energy Limited Vs. Wescare (India) Limited & Another, (2010) 5 SCC 306;
- BALCO v. State of Chhattisgarh Writ Petition (Civil) No. 2189 of 2012);
- Sterlite (I) Limited v. Union of India SLP (C) No. 28116-23 of 2010
- M/s Vedanta Aluminium Limited v. State of Andhra Pradesh (Crl. M.P. No. 1435 of 2009)
- Marble Art vs. China Shipping Container Company Ltd. & Anr. [2009 SCC OnLine Del 515;
- Microfibres Inc. Vs. Girdhar & Co. & Anr., (2009) SCC OnLine Del 1647;
- Special Director of Enforcement v. Anil Agarwal & Anr. Decided in Delhi High Court on 31.03.2009
- Alstom v. BALCO CS(OS) No. 1458 of 2009 (Delhi High Court);
- Bakemans’ Industries P. Ltd. Vs. New Cawnpore Floor Mills and Ors .(2008) 15 SCC 1
- Reliance Airport Developers (P) Ltd. Vs. Airports Authority of India &Ors.(2006) 10 SCC 1;
- Smita Conductors Limited Vs. Euro Alloys Limited, (2001) 7 SCC 728;
Competition Commission of India
- Glencore in Viterra India (P) Ltd., In re, 2022 SCC OnLine CCI 54
- In Re: Alleged anti-competitive conduct in beer market v. United Breweries Limited & Ors.; Suo Moto No. 06/2017; CCI: Decided on 24.09.2021
- Rajasthan Cylinders & Containers Limited v. Union of India (2020) 16 SCC 615
- Competition Commission of India v. Bharti Airtel Ltd (2019) 2 SCC 521;
- Oriental Rubber Industries Pvt. Ltd. vs. CCI 2016 CompLR 611 (Delhi);
- ECP Industries Ltd. vs. CCI (2016 SCC OnLine Comp AT 79);
- Hyderabad Cylinders Private Limited vs CCI (2016 SCC OnLine Comp AT 411);
- The Board of Control for Cricket in India vs. CCI 2015 CompLR 548 (Comp AT)
- Pankaj Aluminium Industries Private Limited v M/s Bharat Aluminium Co. Ltd. (2011) 166 CompCas 64 (Delhi
Public Interest Litigation/Environment Law Matters/Matters of Public concern
- Ashok Kumar v Union & India & Ors [Writ Petition No 1164/2023] (Supreme Court);
- Dr Anil Kumar v. State of Chhattisgarh OA No. 188 of 2022 (National Green Tribunal);
- Abdul Nafees Khan v. MoEFCC Appeal No. 15 of 2022 & Titiksha Social Organization v. MoEFCC Appeal No. 14 of 2022 (National Green Tribunal);
- Tarun Rathore v. MoEFCC & Ors (Appeal No. 12 of 2022) (National Green Tribunal);
- MK Ranjith Singh & Ors v Union of India & Ors [Writ Petition (Civil) No 838/2019] (Supreme Court);
- Centre for Environment Law, World Wide Fund v India vs. Union of India & Ors [Writ Petition(s)(Civil) No(s).337/1995] [IA No 192 of 2017] (Supreme Court);
- Nirma Ltd. Vs. MOEF & Ors, (Decided by National Green Tribunal on 03.02.2015);
- Orissa Mining Corporation Ltd. v. Ministry of Environment & Forest & Ors [2013 (6) SCC 476];
- M/s Sterlite Industries (India) Limited v. Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, Appeal No. 57 & 58 of 2013;
- Sajal Kumar & Ors. v. Union of India (Decided in National Green Tribunal on 18.12.2012);
- Prafulla Samantra vs. Ministry of Environment and Forests and Ors [(2009) ILR 5 Delhi 821;
Tax
- Bharat Aluminium Company Limited v. Union of India Writ Petition (Civil) No. 748 of 2018 (Delhi High Court);
- Pankaj Aluminium Industries Pvt Ltd Vs BALCO, 2017
- Hindustan Zinc Limited v. State of Rajasthan SLP (C) No. 23605 of 2016
- BALCO v. Delhi Development Authority Writ Petition (Civil) No. 8641 of 2016
- BALCO v. Jagdish Prasad Agarwal Special Leave Petition (Civil) No. 28711 of 2014
- State of Chhattisgarh v. A.C.C Ltd Civil Appeal No. 5172 OF 2007 (Supreme Court)
Service Matters
- Bharat Aluminium Company Limited v. Union of India (Writ Petition No. 10879 of 2019)
- Hindustan Zinc School v. Gopal Pandey (SLP (Civil) No. 11190 of 2019)
- Viral Mehta v. State of Chhattisgarh Special Leave Petition (Criminal) No. 10118 of 2009
- Deepak Narg v. State of Chhattisgarh (SLP (Crl) No.10115/2009); Decided on 09.04.2010
- Anup Mahopatra v. State of Chhattisgarh (SLP (Criminal) No. 10117 of 2009)
- Hindustan Zinc Limited v. Bhagwan Singh Bhati, 2008 (Supreme Court)
- BCCP Mazdoor Sangh &Anr. v. NTPC &Ors [(2007) 14 SCC 234] (Supreme Court)
- Chandrawanshi K.P. and Ors. v. National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd. (Decided in Chhattisgarh High Court on 25.03.2004)
Energy
Electricity
- Hindustan Zinc Limited Vs. Ajmer Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited, (2019) 17 SCC 82;
- M/s Adani Power Maharashtra Ltd. Vs MSERC & Anr., (Appeal No 370/2018);
- Western Electricity Supply Company of Odisha Ltd. & Ors. Vs. Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission & Ors., (2017) SCC Online APTEL 56);
- Odisha Power Generation Corporation Limited vs. Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission, (2017 SCC Online APTEL 4);
- Kerala State Electricity Board v. Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd., (MANU/CR/0107/2015); Decided on 16.02.2015;
- CSPDCL Vs. CSERC & Anr., MANU/ET/0001 /2014: Decided on 02.01.2014;
- GRIDCO Ltd. Vs. M/s. ORICON Equipments P. Ltd. & Ors., MANU/ET/0062/2014: Decided on 23.04.2014;
- Birla Tyres Vs. UREDA & ANR., Appeal No.136 OF 2014 (Date of Decision- 01.10.2014);
- BALCO v. CSPTC Ltd., MANU/CR/0188/2014: Decided on 30.10.2014;
- Jayshree Chemicals Ltd. Vs. OERC, MANU/ET/0221 /2014: Decided on 28.11.2014;
- NESCO Vs. OERC & Ors., MANU/ET/0218/2014: Decided on 30.11.2014;
- Vedanta Aluminum Ltd. Vs. Orissa Electricity Regulatory Commission, (Before APTEL) MANU/ET/0023/2013; Decided on 31.01.2013;
- Vedanta Aluminium Limited Vs. Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission & Ors. (2013 SCC Online APTEL 76);
- Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Co. Ltd.Vs J.P. Saboo &Ors. (2011) SCC Online APTEL 22); and
- G.V.K. Industries Limited &Anr. Vs. Central Electricity Authority 2006 (88) DRJ 377; Del HC: Decided on 27.02.2006.
Mining
- Orissa Mining Corporation Ltd. Vs. Ministry of Environment & Forest &Ors., 2013 (6) SCC 476 Decided on 18.04.2013;
- MCL v. Vedanta Aluminium Limited Civil Appeal No. 22787 of 2016 (Supreme Court)
- Bharat Aluminium Company Limited v. C.GM Ministry of Mines (Revision Application No. 12 of 2014)
- Sandur Manganese & Iron Ores Ltd. v. State of Karnataka &Ors. [(2010) 13 SCC 1] Decided on 13.09.2010 (Supreme Court)
- M/s Sesa Goa Limited v. State of Karnataka Special Leave Petition (Civil) No. 30369 of 2009 (Supreme Court)
- Prafulla Samantra vs. Ministry of Environment and Forests and Ors., 159 (2009) DLT 604; Decided on 06.05.2009; and
- Bonani Kakkar vs. Oil India Ltd. & Ors. MANU/GT/0040/2021: Decided on 19.02.2021