Krishnava is the Founder and Managing Partner of Argus Partners and sits on the executive committee, which advises the Firm on various strategic initiatives. He has led the Firm from its inception in 2009, now with offices in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, and Kolkata. He advises some of the largest corporate houses and their boards on various matters including corporate governance and board responsibility.
Krishnava has been the lead adviser in some of the largest and most complex M&A and financing transactions. He is regularly sought out by CEOs, CFOs, GCs, and legal heads of large multinational corporations, government agencies, and funds for his unique mix of in-depth knowledge of law and regulatory matters, coupled with a very keen understanding of finance, accounts, and business issues. He has been consistently recognised for building Argus Partners into a leading national-level firm.
Select Professional Experience
- Successfully advised L&T Finance on settlement with Tikona Infinet following NCLT proceedings.
- Represented the erstwhile HDFC Limited (since merged with HDFC Bank) before the Supreme Court, against IL&FS.
- Advised the Board of Control for Cricket in India on the tendering of media rights for the Indian Premier League for more than USD 6 billion, making it the 2nd most valued sporting league in the world in terms of per match value.
- Advised the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in the historic Women’s Premier League (“WPL”) teams auction.
- Advised on India’s largest ever merger to create India’s second largest bank, HDFC Bank.
- Advised India Resurgence Fund promoted by Piramal Enterprises Limited and Bain Capital Credit in its investment of up to Rs 615 crore ($83 million) in Gujarat-based Setco Group.
- Advised HDFC Limited on its acquisition of a stake in Yes Bank made pursuant to a scheme of reconstruction of Yes Bank notified by the central government owing to the deteriorating financial health of Yes Bank.
- Advised Tata Steel Limited on the acquisition of Usha Martin (Steel Division) in one of the largest deals in the steel sector outside the framework of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.
- Advised GRUH Finance (a subsidiary of HDFC Limited) on its merger with Bandhan Bank. This deal pertained to a merger of a listed bank with a listed housing finance company. This deal was one of the largest in the financial services sector with a combined market cap of USD 12 billion.
- Advised the Committee of Creditors of Binani Cement Limited, which has been one of the most contentious matters under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.
- Advised the resolution professional of Monnet Ispat & Energy Limited. This was one of the first twelve largest cases referred by the Reserve Bank of India for resolution under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.
- Advised Edelweiss in connection with the strategic debt restructuring of Adhunik Power and Natural Resources Limited.
- Advised HDFC Limited on the acquisition of L&T General Insurance by HDFC ERGO General Insurance.
- Advised Mukand Limited on its joint venture with Sumitomo Corporation, Japan.
- Advised Tega Industries Limited on its resolution plan for acquisition of McNally Sayaji Engineering Limited.
Awards & Recognition
- Chambers & Partners Global Guide 2025, 2023 and 2022 for Corporate/M&A.
- The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific Rankings 2025 ‘Leading Partner’ for Corporate and M&A in India.
- The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific Rankings 2025 ‘Recommended Lawyer’ for Banking and Finance, Corporate and M&A, Private Equity Funds (including Venture Capital), Projects and Energy and Restructuring and Insolvency in India, as well as for Banking and Finance and Commercial, Corporate and M&A in Mumbai.
- Chambers & Partners Asia-Pacific Guide 2025, 2024, 2023, 2021 and 2020 for Corporate/ M&A and Restructuring/Insolvency.
- The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific Rankings 2024 ‘Leading Lawyer’ for Corporate and M&A and ‘Recommended Lawyer’ for Finance, Private Equity and Investment Funds, Restructuring and Insolvency and TMT.
- ‘Legal Icon’ amongst India`s top 100 lawyers in the India Business Law Journal`s, ‘A-List 2023-2024 and 2022-2023′.
- IFLR1000 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021 and 2020 ‘Highly Regarded’ in M&A.
- Asialaw Profiles Leading Lawyers 2024, 2023, 2022 and 2021 ‘Distinguished Practitioner’ for Restructuring and Insolvency.
- The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific Rankings 2023 ‘Recommended Lawyer’ for Corporate and M&A and Finance.
- Forbes India Legal Powerlist 2021 and 2020 Top 50 Managing Partners.
- Forbes India Legal Powerlist 2021 Top 100 Individual Lawyers for Banking/Finance, Capital Markets & Securities Laws; Joint Venture, M&A, PE & VC; Restructuring, Insolvency & Bankruptcy; and Sports & Entertainment.
- India Business Law Journal India’s Top 100 lawyers in the A-List 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017.
- Forbes India Legal Powerlist 2020 Top 100 Individual Lawyers for Insolvency & Bankruptcy and Mergers & Acquisitions.
- ‘ALB India 2020 Super 50 Lawyers’ top 50 private practitioners in India.
- Leadership Excellence Award 2017 at the India Economic & Law Summit for contributions in Restructuring and Distressed Assets Practice.
- RSG India Law Centre amongst the leading second generation of Indian corporate lawyers in 2017.
- Chambers and Partners 2012 as a Leading Lawyer in Private Equity.
Testimonials
- “Krishnava is knowledgeable and has a practical approach.” — Chambers & Partners, 2025
- “Krishnava Dutt is very good. He knows how to communicate with us and our counterparties.” — Chambers & Partners, 2025
- “Krishnava Dutt is a great professional. He has the ability to quickly frame issues in the local context for alignment.” — Chambers and Partners
- “Krishnava has a knack for educating and steering clients’ decisions in their best interests. He moves from the ambit of an external legal counsel to a trusted adviser.” — Chambers and Partners
- “Krishnava Dutt in Mumbai has a well-established reputation for advising resolution professionals and liquidators on insolvency processes. He is particularly active in the real estate, power and manufacturing sectors.” — Chambers and Partners
- “Krishnava Dutt heads the department at Argus Partners from Mumbai and leads its most significant activity. His experience includes M&A with a restructuring and insolvency element.” — Chambers and Partners
- “Extremely hard working and turnaround time is superb.” — The Legal 500
- “Mr. Krishnava Dutt- Problem Solver. He is the managing partner but is available whenever there is a crisis.” — The Legal 500
- “The Team led by Krishnava Dutt and Adity Chaudhury is dynamic and solution oriented.” — The Legal 500
- “Experienced, commercial and solution focused.” — The Legal 500
- “Aastha, Krishnava Dutt and team are solution oriented and extremely responsive, have had only good experiences working with the team. They’re supportive and pragmatic during negotiations with counterparties and do not unnecessarily prolong discussions on drafts and provide quick turnarounds.” — The Legal 500
Memberships
- West Bengal Bar Council.
- Patron member of Bar Association of India.
- Member of Society of Indian Law Firms.
- Member of the National Regulatory Committee of the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII).
- Appointed as member of the committee of Department of Justice, Ministry of Law, Government of India on Ease of Doing Business – Enforcement of Contracts.
- Appointed as member of the committee of Department of Justice, Ministry of Law, Government of India on Legal Aid and Pro Bono work across the country.