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Senior Advocate from Delhi, Mr Sridhar Potaraju, striving to integrate India’s ancient knowledge systems into its legal framework!

Summary of Academic and Professional Journey

Mr Sridhar Potaraju, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India

Mr Sridhar Potaraju, Senior Advocate at the Supreme Court of India, graduated with an LLB from Campus Law Centre, University of Delhi, in 1997, after completing B. Com (Hons) from Osmania University. He has held several prestigious roles, including Advocate on Record at the Supreme Court since 2006 and, more recently, Senior Advocate since 2024. His professional experience includes working with eminent legal firms, practicing independently, and appearing in prominent cases before the Supreme Court and various High Courts, especially in constitutional, commercial, environmental, and tax law.

He was a Counsel in the legal team led by Sri. K. Parasaran, Senior Advocate appearing for Shri Ram Lalla Virajman in the Ayodhya title dispute which enabled resolution of a dispute spanning over about 500 years through a judicial verdict. His contribution was instrumental in marshalling the voluminous records and research both in law and ancient Indian texts.

1. Contributions to the field of Ancient Indian Knowledge System

a. Mr Sridhar Potaraju has been a dedicated Advocate for integrating India’s ancient knowledge systems into modern legal frameworks. His book, “Maxims from Mahabharata,” distills time-honoured principles from one of India’s most revered epics, showcasing the relevance of these maxims in contemporary legal contexts. Through his writings, such as ‘Dharma is the Atman of Civilizational and Cultural Heritage of India,’ he argues for ‘Dharma’ as the moral and ethical backbone of India’s civilizational identity, advocating that India’s legal traditions should reflect this foundational philosophy. He was invited as a special Invitee to participate in deliberation on ‘Ancient Indian Knowledge System’ by IIT Delhi, Gujarat University and Sastra University.

He also engages in preserving historic narratives within India’s legal landscape. He has been instrumental in making key case records, such as those from the landmark Shri Ram Janmabhoomi case, accessible to scholars by digitizing them through his website ‘Vadaprativada.in’. This initiative not only aids researchers but also fosters a wider understanding of India’s legal heritage. He speaks on topics intertwining law with Sanatan Dharma which embodies eternal values. His efforts illustrate a commitment to aligning contemporary jurisprudence with traditional wisdom, ensuring India’s cultural legacy is preserved and valued in today’s legal and academic discourse.

Primary Areas of Interest, Expertise, and Experience

Mr. Sridhar Potaraju, in his legal practice spanning more than two and half decades, has handled intricate commercial litigation matters involving Metro rail projects, Infrastructure projects, Tender matters, complex Arbitrations involving Engineering and Building Contracts under the Arbitration & Conciliation Act, 1996, Constitutional Law matters, Intellectual Property Rights matters, Mining laws, Environmental laws, Civil Laws, Revenue Laws etc. He has also been advising IT companies on various legal issues. He has represented various Institutions, Public Sector Undertakings, Professional bodies, corporates, individuals, members of Judiciary, Executive and Legislatures, NGOs, Trusts etc.

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

Campus Law Centre, University of Delhi  [1994-1997] L.L.B.

Indian Institute of Management & Commerce, Osmania University, Hyderabad.  [1991-1994] B. Com (Hons)

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

Senior Advocate, Designated by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India [2024]

Advocate on Record, Supreme Court of India [2006]

Member, Bar Council of Delhi [1997]

MEMBERSHIPS

Indian Law Institute, New Delhi – Lifetime Member

Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, New Delhi – Life Member

Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) – Member

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

M/s Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan, Consultant (Indirect Taxes)  [1997-1999]

Chambers of Mr. P.S. Narasimha, Advocate [1999-2001]

Independent Legal Practitioner  [January 2002 – Present]

Areas of Practice: Arbitration, Business & Commercial Laws, Constitutional Law, Mining Law, Environment, Forest & Wildlife Laws, Infrastructure Laws, Intellectual Property Rights. Income Tax, Central Excise, Customs & Service Tax, Sales Tax & VAT, Property Laws.

Advising clients in the field of Information Technology, Environment and Forest Conservation, Commercial and Corporate Laws.

KEY PUBLICATIONS

“Beyond Fear, a Fight for Existence: The Hindus of Bangladesh Demand Justice” published in News18 on August 12, 2024.

“Shri Ram’s Pran Pratishtha Symbolises the Spiritual Liberation of Bharat” published in News18 on January 22, 2024.

“Decolonisation of the Indian Legal System” published in Nyayapravah, Akhil Bharatiya Adhivakata Parishad, Vol XX, Issue 80 (October-December 2021).

“Ram Janmabhoomi case: A Glimpse into the Contest of Historic Narratives Emanating from Court Records” published in The Daily Guardian on October 13, 2020.

1. What inspired you to tread the path of Dharmic renaissance and spiritualization of the legal platform in today’s time of so many distractions and amidst you pursuing a glorious career in the Apex Court of India? This Dharmic work would definitely be an overhead in your packed schedules. Still, you spearheaded in it.

Ans. I was born into a middle-class family in Hyderabad, where spiritual and religious awareness was an integral part of life. The basic sense of right and wrong was instilled in our conscience from childhood. The choice of doing the right thing was not only out of fear of bad karma visiting us, but because choosing right is the correct thing to do. With these moorings, I was subsumed in my Professional career. Initially, I used to wonder if success in Profession is necessarily dependent on having some of the popular vices we see around us in society. But over the years I discovered several Professionals who are not in news but who actually live a Dharmic life, even while being in the Legal profession. Working with such eminent professionals, who were good human beings, helped me in my journey.

Shri. K. Parasaran, Senior Advocate

It was around 2018, having spent about 2 decades in the profession, I started wondering if there is something more that I should be doing. It was a gradual evolution. Constant engagement in conversations with Shri Parasaran sir over nearly 2 decades gave me an insight into Sanatana Dharma and our Itihasas like Ramayana and Mahabharata. Reading Ramayana and Mahabharata from childhood made my conversations with Sir relatable. Shri Parasaran would connect our ancient values and concepts referred to in itihasas, and relate them to our Constitution. However, most of us have been alienated from our cultural roots due to intellectual enslavement as a dedicated political project of invaders, colonisers and those who still subscribe to their worldview. I found there was no structured attempt to bridge the gap between Indian Knowledge  and the contemporary Legal World, primarily of British heritage. My endeavour is to bring that knowledge stream  into the legal world. I see myself as a mere instrument or medium in this process.

2. As a common man or a layman, what should a common Hindu do to counter the anti-Hindu narrative predominant today in the national as well as International media ?

Following the verdict in the much-debated ‘Ramlalla Virajman’ case – Senior Advocate K Parasaran (second from left, seated), beside him Advocate Sridhar Potaraju, along with other participating advocates.

Ans.  Sanatan Dharma is a way of life, which teaches us how to live life in harmony with a) our own selves, b) others and c) nature. Simplest way to know about these teachings is by reading Valmiki Ramayana and Vyasa Mahabharata, which deal with all the issues we confront in our life even now and show us the Dharmic path. By reading or listening to our itihasas we can know about the Self and also about the world outside. An informed person is better equipped to understand the challenges of our times and be a responsible citizen who is vigilant against false narratives and misinformation campaigns.

3. Hindu ecosystem is still a mirage. What would you suggest to the Hindu organisations, spiritual organisations, the Hindu intelligentsia, advocacy groups, the Hindu media, and the legal teams to bring it into reality? Your perspectives.

Ans. I would prefer to address it by suggesting that we should learn about our cultural and civilziational heritage objectively. Learning is important to understand the reasons why there is hate for anything Bharatiya in the minds of some. As I see the hate arises from their own belief system which labels anyone who doesn’t accept their faith/ideology as Heathens or Kafir or Oppressors. Morally deplorable acts of violence and barbarism are rationalised or even worse justified to spread their faith be it a Religion or Ideology. A Dharmic society is the need of hour across the world, wherein no one is vilified or classified as being born as a Heathen or Kafir or Oppressor, for not adhering a particular way of worship or an Ideology. Recognizing the essence of Sanatan is knowing God exists in all species, that humans are not Masters of the Universe, leaves no room for hate. Our worldview has to be from the prism of Dharma and Adharma alone, all 10 Avatars of Vishnu teach us the difference between Dharma and Adharma.

4. Any other points that you wish to help awaken the Hindu society.

Ans. Every family has to ensure children are taught about our Itihasas and values, which they stand for. Similarly, schools and society need to revive positive engagement with our traditions and cultural practices while adapting them wisely to ensure they also align with Desa Kaala Dharma (time, place and Dharma) as well. I am doing my bit by creating content in the form of easy to read Maxims from our Itihasas while giving the context of the larger story where these Maxims occur. The idea is to create curiosity in youngsters to know beyond the Maxim or the context. My first book ‘Maxims from Mahabharata’ was published in 2022 and was well received. Presently, I am working on my next book ‘Maxims from Ramayana’. This is my way of bringing back our civilizational heritage, such as Ramayana and Mahabharata into our contemporary social conscience.

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