Sumant Batra

Kesar Dass B. & Associates is recognised as India’s leading insolvency practice with vast global exposure and experience. Led by one of the most respected global experts in this field and who is also recognised as India’s number one insolvency practitioner for many consecutive years by Legal 500, the firm advises on the largest and most complex restructurings, and has the reputation of providing pioneering solutions as well as real commercial results.

The firm also specialises in cross-border issues in insolvency and is advising on a range of complex issues arising in US Chapter 11 and UK schemes of arrangement beside other proceedings and cases with assets or interests in India. Expertise ranges from advising on out of court restructurings to formal insolvency proceedings under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code. The lawyers specialise in providing strategic advice before and during the insolvency proceedings. The firm acts for insolvency professionals and also takes up appointments. Assisting with investigations is another core area.

Through the leading partner in this department, the firm has been deeply associated with the policy making, global benchmarking and standard setting, institution and capacity building in this and related field around the globe, working closely with the development institutions and governments. The firm assisted the Government of India in the drafting of the insolvency law that was passed in the year 2013 and associated with regulation framing, development of insolvency profession and capacity building following the enactment of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.

Sumant Batra

A lawyer of international repute, social commentator and thought leader, Sumant Batra is a multi-faceted person with accomplishments in diverse spheres. A policy lawyer and insolvency practitioner of global eminence, he was rated as India's number one insolvency lawyer by Legal 500 for six consecutive years. A Past President of INSOL International, Mr Batra has held leadership positions in prestigious multi-lateral, global and national organisations. As senior international consultant to the IMF, World Bank Group, OECD and other development institutions, he has worked extensively on policy matters in Africa, Eastern Europe, Middle East and South Asia.

Mr Batra is deeply involved in development of best practices and standard setting in the newly set up insolvency professionals discipline. He heads SIPI, an independent think tank on insolvency; Chairs the National Council on Insolvency set up ASSOCHAM, India’s largest corporate industries body and heads a number of other insolvency and related initiatives.

A cultural champion, Mr Batra is the founder and architect of a number of innovative creative projects to promote Indian heritage, culture, art and literature. He is the founder of Kumaon Literary Festival. The initiatives started by him are rapidly developing into a robust cultural voice of the country because of their unique approach and contribution to the development of the soft infrastructure and power of the country.

He is a frequent speaker at various international and domestic conferences.

An avid collector, he is probably the largest collector of Indian cinema memorabilia. He is the author of the bestselling coffee table book - The Indians which was foreworded by Cherie Blair.