Department profile

Private Equity

Asia-Pacific Guide 2026 : India

Rankings

Ranked Individuals

About

Provided by AZB & Partners

The Firm’s lawyers are established market leaders who have helped shaped the legal landscape in this space, contributing to regulatory and policy formulation. Their extensive experience and technical expertise, coupled with a sharp client focus and integrity has resulted in our being the ‘go to’ firm for India’s largest and most complex PE deals and VC fund raises.

In-depth, sectoral knowledge of operational issues and our in–house forensics’ inputs from a compliance perspective brings added value to the due diligence needed to make informed investment decisions. Our strong networks comprising industry veterans and former regulators, specialists in taxation and intellectual property further raise the bar.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Private Equity - India

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

AZB & Partners has a front-running legal practice widely admired for its outstanding experience representing high-end international funds in all types of private equity investments in India from minority to control acquisitions. The firm is highly sought after for its advice on the efficient structuring of investments, tax planning and regulatory issues. The team has strength advising on private equity transactions involving the financial services, technology, healthcare and retail sectors, particularly those with cross-border aspects. Clients benefit from the strength of the firm in related areas such as capital markets, whilst the firm also has a thriving venture capital practice, handling early- and late-stage investments.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

AZB & Partners advised New Mountain Capital on the acquisition of a 60% stake in Grant Thornton Advisors Holdings.
AZB & Partners acted for ride-hailing startup Rapido as it raised USD200 million in a Series E funding round led by WestBridge Capital, along with participation from Nexus Ventures, Think Investments and Invus Opportunities, with this funding round resulting in Rapido becoming a unicorn.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

The partners personally invest their time in the deliverables which gives great comfort to the client.
Private Equity respondentAsia-Pacific
They are very commercial and practical with high attention to detail.
Private Equity respondentAsia-Pacific
AZB & Partners has some of the finest lawyers in the country. It has teams that are very knowledgeable, practical and solution-oriented with the ability to cut through complex issues very quickly.
Private Equity respondentAsia-Pacific

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Eminent Practitioners
Eminent Practitioners
Ajay Bahl
Ajay Bahl is a managing partner of AZB & Partners and is based in the firm's Delhi office. He has strong expertise relating to the tax and regulatory issues associated with private equity transactions in India.
He is one of the best lawyers and thought leaders in the country.
Private Equity respondentAsia-Pacific
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Eminent Practitioners
Eminent Practitioners
Zia Mody
Zia Mody is a managing partner at AZB & Partners and is based in its Mumbai office. She is highly adept at handling big-ticket private equity and corporate transactions.
Zia Mody is very well reputed as an astute lawyer.
Private Equity respondentAsia-Pacific
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Band 1
Band 1
Anil Kasturi
Anil Kasturi is a partner at AZB & Partners and is based in Delhi. He has a market-leading private equity practice, acting on deals across multiple sectors, including healthcare, TMT and manufacturing. He is also experienced in venture capital deals.
He is practical and solution-oriented in his approach and has the ability to cut through complex issues very quickly.
Private Equity respondentAsia-Pacific
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Band 1
Band 1
Ashwath Rau
Ashwath Rau is a senior partner at AZB & Partners and is based in its Mumbai office. He is entrusted by leading global private equity houses to handle complex investments.
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Band 2
Band 2
Srinath Dasari
Srinath Dasari is a senior partner at AZB & Partners and is based in its Bengaluru office. He is highly active in the venture capital space, including early- and late-stage investments, as well as in traditional private equity transactions. His clients include leading private equity investors and hedge funds.
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Band 3
Band 3
Darshika Kothari
Darshika Kothari is a senior partner at AZB & Partners and is based in its Mumbai office. She is entrusted by leading international private equity investors and pension funds for their key transactions in India. With strong expertise in associated regulatory issues, she handles deals in various sectors, including life sciences.
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Band 3
Band 3
Nandish Vyas
Nandish Vyas is based in AZB & Partners' Mumbai office. He is well placed to advise leading international funds on private equity and venture capital transactions in a range of sectors, including technology and healthcare.
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Band 4
Band 4
Nanditha Gopal
Nanditha Gopal is a senior partner at AZB & Partners and is based in its Bangalore office. She is particularly experienced in the technology sector, as well as in media and e-commerce, and she is extremely active in private equity matters and corporate M&A.
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Band 4
Band 4
Vaidhyanadhan Iyer
Vaidhyanadhan Iyer is a senior partner at AZB & Partners based at the firm's Mumbai office. His experience covers operating for private equity firms on acquisitions as well as on the sale of shares.
Vaidhyanathan is an excellent private equity lawyer with a number of large deals. He is doing very well.
Private Equity respondentAsia-Pacific
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