Shristi Widge

An advocate with a decade-long track record, Shristi, handles a diverse portfolio of constitutional and regulatory litigation. Her practice is defined by representing industry leaders and government departments in high-stakes, precedent-setting matters.

Representative Experience:

• FMCG & Health: Challenged graphic health warning mandates on behalf of one of India’s largest FMCG companies.
• Private Equity: Defended a top-tier global PE fund in belated FEMA proceedings, successfully arguing the doctrine of "reasonable time."
• Infrastructure: Advising a major airport operator across three consecutive tariff cycles before the TDSAT.
• Civil Liberties: Litigating sensitive issues including "no meat day" notifications and constitutional challenges to the Karnataka Religious Structures Act.

Commercial Tax Department of Andhra Pradesh | Priority of Charges Dispute

• Role: Lead Counsel for the Commercial Tax Department.
• Matter Value: ₹250 Crores (Tax Dues) vs. ₹800 Crores (Bank Claims).
• Key Issues: Representing the State in a high-stakes conflict of laws regarding whether the "first charge" under the AP General Sales Tax Act prevails over the "priority of payment" clause in Section 26-E of the Central SARFAESI Act. The case addresses the constitutional interplay between State and Central legislation and the prospective application of Section 26-E.
• Status: Reserved for Judgment.

Global Private Equity Fund | FEMA Limitation Challenge

• Role: Counsel for a premier global PE fund.
• Matter Value: Over ₹6,000 Crores.
• Key Issues: Challenging the initiation of belated proceedings under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). The matter argues a critical point of administrative law: that in the absence of a statutory limitation period, the State must initiate proceedings within a "reasonable time."
• Status: Reserved for Judgment.

Leading Indian Business Conglomerate | Mortgagor-Tenant Priority Dispute

• Role: Representing one of India’s largest conglomerates before the High Court of Karnataka.
• Key Issues: Navigating a complex interpretation of Section 65-A of the Transfer of Property Act. The matter contests whether a lease deed non-compliant with statutory conditions is void ab initio or merely non-binding upon a subsequent mortgagee, directly affecting the displacement rights of prior tenants.
• Status: Pending.

Constitutional Challenge | Karnataka Religious Structures (Protection) Act, 2021

• Role: Pro bono Counsel in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL).
• Key Issues: Challenging the constitutional validity of the 2021 Act, which grants protection to unauthorized religious structures. The petition contends that the Act was passed in derogation of specific demolition mandates issued by the Hon’ble Supreme Court and the Karnataka High Court.
• Status: Pending.

Karnataka Poultry Association | Constitutional Challenge to Slaughter Prohibitions

• Role: Counsel for the State Poultry Association.
• Key Issues: Challenging government notifications mandating "no-meat days" (9 days annually). The matter raises fundamental questions regarding Article 21, specifically whether the right to food and dietary choice is protected under the Right to Privacy, and challenges the State's jurisdictional authority to impose total prohibitions on the sale of poultry.
• Status: Pending.

• Primary Practice Areas: * Commercial Dispute Resolution
  o    Constitutional Law
  o    Regulatory & Administrative Litigation
• Secondary Practice Areas: * Tax (State & Indirect)
  o    Telecom & Infrastructure (TDSAT)
  o    Insolvency & Bankruptcy (NCLT)
• Industry Expertise: * Aviation & Infrastructure
  o    Private Equity & Finance
  o    FMCG & Retail

• Aviation & Infrastructure (Top Tier)
• Consumer Goods & Food/Beverage (Top Tier)
• Banking & Financial Services (Regulatory)
• Public Policy & Government Affairs
• Transport & Shipping (Port Regulatory)

• BA LLB, Bishop Cotton Women's Christian Law College, 2016

• Karnataka Bar Coucil, 2016