A. M. Iktear Uddin', [1] known as Advocate Anik (born 1984), is an advocate and the co-founder of Prime Legal. He is a partner at various law firms, including Vidhikaray and OLQ Online Legal Experts, Anik and associates and serves on the advisory board of several companies.  He is involved in handling several high-profile cases, which have add to his experience. He has been specially appointed as a Special Public Prosecutor for a high-profile double murder case in JP Nagar . In addition to this, he serves as a special public prosecutor for the state of Karnataka in multiple heinous crime cases. His legal acumen and efforts have had a substantial impact, including a notable achievement in a consumer case where he secured compensation exceeding ₹1 million for his client. He advises various fintech companies on Enforcement Directorate cases involving amounts to Rs. 2500 crores. He has a track record of handling over 30,000 cases across India, he specializes in various crimes, particularly cybercrime. [2]

A. M. Iktear Uddin
Advocate Anik
Born 1984, Jalpaiguri district, West Bengal, India
Birth Name A. M. Iktear Uddin
Nationality Indian
Occupation Advocate, Copyright Violation Specialist, NIXI Legal Head, Domain Law Protection Head, NIXI
Alma Mater Bangalore University
Known For Co-founder of Prime Legal, handling high-profile cases, Special Public Prosecutor
Notable Works Double murder case (JP Nagar), Cybercrime cases, Consumer Law victories
Spouse Ayantika Mondal

Advocate Anik is currently engaged in full-time legal practice, representing clients in various cases across High Courts and other courts in India. Additionally, He leads legal teams as a consultant for several companies, including over 50 startups, offering services in manpower, IT, cabs, fintech, tourism, talent acquisition, and employment consulting. Anik co-founded his legal firm, Prime Legal, in 2009 with his partner and wife Ayantika Mondal. You can watch more insights into his professional journey and experiences. [3]

Personal life and Education

Advocate Anik was born in a small village in the Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal. 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. Tragically, his mother passed away in 1986, within two years of his birth, and his father also passed away soon after. Anik grew up in a dual-faith family, experiencing Muslim and Hindu cultures. As a result, he has a deep understanding of both faiths and holds great respect for both religions. [4]

Advocate Anik moved to Bangalore in 1999 from West Bengal and completed his 10th grade in 2001. After completing his PUC in 2003, Anik joined the 5-year LL.B program at Bangalore University and graduated in 2008. He then pursued an LL.M. with a specialization in Business Law - Corporate Law at the University Law College (ULC), affiliated with Bangalore University, completing the 2-year full-time course in 2010. Anik excelled in his studies, securing the 2nd rank with a First Class distinction in his LL.M program. He is a lifetime alumnus of ULC ( University Law College). After graduating, he enrolled with the Bar Council of Karnataka in 2010 and has since been practicing law, representing clients in various capacities before courts, law enforcement agencies, and other organizations.

Anik married Ayantika Mondal on October 5, 2014, in Bangalore. Ayantika, who studied LLB with him, is a renowned lawyer with a strong academic background and comes from a highly respected family. She is a Catholic Christian by birth and has continued to practise her faith after marriage. Watch his interview for more details about him. [5]

Career

He began his career in 2006, providing administrative support to a law firm in Malleswaram until 2008. During this time, he co-founded and managed Legal Troubleshooting with a partner Ayantika Mondal, Advocate, specializing in property title verifications and navigating various data protection laws. Alongside his entrepreneurial venture, he also held a part-time lecturer position at School of Business. [6]

In 2010, he joined Deshraj and PC Reddy Chambers located in Gandhi Nagar, Bangalore, a law firm established in 1984, where he worked until July 2012. He then transitioned to Dell India Pvt Ltd as a Legal Associate in 2012. he co-founded Prime Legal, initially established in 2009 by him and another partner Ayantika Mondal. [7]

From 2015 to 2019, he served as Associate Director at ANI Technologies Pvt Ltd known as Ola cabs and group companies Like Foodpanda.com, Ola feet, Ola Money etc overseeing legal affairs and law enforcement across associated companies. He returned to Prime Legal in 2019, expanding partnerships with various law firms, including Prime Legal, Vidhikarya, and other national firms and also become part of advisory board for many companies.

Currently, alongside his full-time legal practice representing clients in various cases across High Courts and different courts in India, He heads legal teams as a consultant for several companies, specializing in the fintech and recruitment sectors. Advocate Anik handles law enforcement issues for multiple companies, representing cases before the Enforcement Directorate, CBI, CCB, and the Fraud Prevention Unit under the Ministry. He actively participates in discussions with various agencies. He has played a key role in managing legal matters for cryptocurrency wallets and exchanges, receiving widespread praise for his support to globally renowned cryptocurrency exchanges.

He has been actively supporting numerous NGOs and has been awarded for his contributions. Through his pro bono work with Taalsah and other NGO he has successfully helped recover over 100 girls from human traffickers and has facilitated the deportation of many victims girls from Bangladesh, Nepal, Russia, and Afghanistan with court and Ministry of Home Affairs orders.[8][9]

Advocate Anik has made significant contributions in handling cases across a wide spectrum of legal areas, including Civil Law, Criminal Law, NDPS, Cyber Crime, Corporate and Commercial Law, Family Law, Intellectual Property Law, Labor and Employment Law, Consumer Law, Company Law, and more. His exceptional track record and numerous positive reviews attest to his expertise and success in these fields.[10][11]

Interviews

Advocate Anik has been featured in exclusive interviews with leading media outlets such as Business Standard, Deccan Herald, The Print, Hindustan Times, ED Times, and ANI News. These interviews have provided insights into pressing issues like cybercrime victim rights and contemporary legal challenges.

Notable Cases and Contributions

Anik's legal acumen and dedication are exemplified in his handling of pivotal cases, including:

  • Writ at High Court: petitioned before the Hig Court of Karnataka, leading to the issuance of notice to the Bangalore Mediation Centre, showcasing his strategic litigation skills.
  • Minor Rape and Murder Case: Played a crucial role in seeking justice for a tragic incident involving the abduction, gang-rape, and murder of a 12-year-old by two Ola drivers.
  • Preet Vihar Doctor Abductions Case: Provided critical legal and technical assistance in the rescue mission of a doctor abducted by an Ola cabbie, culminating in a daring rescue operation after a shootout in Meerut.
  • Hello Cab Crime Series on Preet Vihar Abductions Case: the case was featured at  crime series "Hello Cab," where his insights into complex legal scenarios were highlighted.
  • Assisting Police for Suitable Actions: Actively collaborated with law enforcement agencies, including addressing community concerns and complaints involving Ola services.
  • Revoking the Ban on Ola: Strategically intervened to overturn a government ban on Ola with 24 hours, ensuring the continuity of essential services and safeguarding stakeholders' interests during regulatory challenges.
  • Road Safety Work: Championed road safety initiatives in partnership with the District Legal Services Authority and Gurugram Police, notably participating in campaigns like the 'One Life' Safety Awareness Campaign to promote safer driving practices.
  • Resolving Strikes: Demonstrated adept crisis management skills in resolving strikes involving Ola driver-partners, fostering dialogue and achieving agreements that restored operational stability.

Law Enforcement Collaboration

During his tenure at various law firms and companies, Advocate Anik collaborated extensively with state police departments. Notable cases include the 12-year-old girl's rape and murder case in Kolkata, and the Preet Vihar abduction case, where he provided critical assistance to law enforcement teams, earning recognition and appreciation. His involvement was featured in the crime series "Hello Taxi" on Crime Petrol.

Recognition and Awards

Anik's exceptional legal contributions have garnered recognition from prestigious platforms including he has awarded for best lawyer in Bangalore, Daily hunt, Borok Times,Scoop360,Tripura 360 News, Indian Times Express, Hindustan Pioneer, Weekly Mail, Entrepreneur Story, Daily Mail Express, Express Hunt, Times Ticker and Prime 24 Seven.

  • Email appreciation from Superintendent of Police, CID, Cyber Crime, Hyderabad (27.02.2016).
  • Email appreciation from Deputy Superintendent of Police, CID, Cyber Crime, Bangalore (27.03.2016).
  • Letter of appreciation from the Government of Telangana, Police Department (21.10.2016).
  • Letter of appreciation from the Special Task Force, Bhopal (05.11.2016).
  • Letter of appreciation from the Anti-Terrorism Squad, Gujarat State (12.07.2017).
  • Special thanks and appreciation letter from the Government of West Bengal, Cyber Crime, Birbhum (27.12.2018).

Corporate Affairs and Crisis Management

Advocate Anik is renowned for his crisis management skills and has played a pivotal role in resolving significant strikes to restore business normalcy. He has actively participated in developing state laws on taxis and bike taxis, launching initiatives like jute bags at Gurgaon court, and celebrating Road Safety Month with the police.[12]

  • Revoking Government Ban: Advocate Anik played a crucial role in revoking a government ban on a company and clarifying issues with media and government departments (Deccan Herald, 2023).
  • Road Safety Initiatives: He has been involved in road safety awareness campaigns, collaborating with the District Legal Services Authority and police (India Blooms, 2023). [13]
  •  Strike Management: Advocate Anik successfully managed strikes to normalize business operations for companies he advised (Times of India, 2023).

 References 

  1. Karnataka HC orders notice to Bangalore Mediation Centre
  2. Ozone Shelters fined 10 lakh by the courts on customer complaint
  3. Exclusive Interview with Advocate Anik: Shedding Light on Cyber Crime, Victim Rights, and the Path from Filing a Complaint to Recovering Funds
  4. 12-year-old Picked up gangraped and killed by 2 Ola drivers
  5. Kidnapped by Ola cabbie doctor freed after shootout in Meerut
  6. Ola And Uber Drivers Protest In Mumbai
  7. Ola agrees to demands of striking driver partners
  8. Ola keeps shuttle service on despite undertaking to the contrary
  9. Ola to be back on streets as govt lifts ban
  10. Woman complains; Ola goes to cops against cabbie, proxy