Issue 23 – Insights 4

A strategic legal mind with over 20 years of experience, Subathra Mylsamy leads A.K. Mylsamy & Associates LLP with a vision rooted in legacy and driven by innovation. Under her leadership, the firm has evolved into a contemporary powerhouse—blending traditional values with future-ready legal solutions for today’s dynamic business landscape.

She holds dual undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, including an LLM in International Business Law from the University of Manchester, UK. This strong academic foundation fuels her cross-border perspective and deep understanding of the intersection between law, business, and technology.

Her expertise spans Corporate Law, Intellectual Property, Data Privacy, Cybertech, and she is a Trained AI Governance Professional. Whether advising clients on complex regulatory landscapes or leading high-stakes litigation, she ensures the firm delivers strategic solutions aligned to the business world.

Beyond the boardroom, Subathra plays a key role in thought leadership—bridging the gap between complex laws and real-world business needs. she actively engages with industry bodies and business forums to equip corporate leaders with legal insights that matter. She has also spearheaded the Firms knowledge initiatives like The Lawtree (a 100+ edition legal newsletter) and Qikcee (a one-minute IP read), both of which distil complex legal concepts into accessible, actionable insights.

Committed to mentoring talent and fostering excellence, she is shaping the next generation of lawyers while steering the firm toward sustained growth. Her leadership ensures AKM remains not just a legal advisor—but a strategic partner in an increasingly complex world.

Ms. Sarah Abraham, Partner at AKM, an Advocate with over 25 years of versatile expertise in corporate advisory and litigation practice. She is a Certified Information Privacy Professional (Europe) (CIPP/E) , accredited by the American National Standards Institute(ANSI). As a MCPC-certified mediator (Mediation and Conciliation Project Committee under the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India), she is associated with the Tamil Nadu Mediation and Conciliation Centre (TNMCC), annexed to the Hon’ble High Court of Madras and further is an empanelled mediator for the Hon’ble Commercial Court, Chennai. Her educational training includes dual degrees in law and commerce and a master’s degree in business law, enriching her legal expertise.

Her core practice verticals comprise of litigation and non-litigation engagements in corporate and commercial laws in courts and tribunals alongside arbitration and mediation practice. She further handles general corporate practice verticals such as M&As, JVs, PE/investment documentation, agreement drafting including technology agreements and general corporate advisory. Her allied practice verticals include cyber laws/data privacy laws advisory, intellectual property advisory, TMT, real estate advisory, consumer disputes, etc.

Ms. Abraham combines legal expertise with an understanding of finance and accountancy, and her solutions reflect a nuanced grasp of legal intricacies blended with commercial pragmatism. She actively promotes mediation as a dispute resolution method, when found appropriate for the engagement. Her goal is to provide clients with optimal remedies in law, aligned with their business priorities.

She plays a pivotal role in expanding AKM’s service portfolio by embracing emerging technologies and staying abreast of key developments in the legal field. She collaborates closely with clients to understand their needs, positioning the firm as a comprehensive one-stop legal solutions provider.

He holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Corporate Secretaryship and a Degree in Law. He is a Fellow member of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India and an Associate Member of the Corporate Governance Institute, UK and Ireland. He has also completed a program from ISB on ‘Value Creation through Mergers and Acquisitions.

He has over 18 years of experience in both litigation and advisory practice. He specializes in all aspects of Corporate Law with a complete focus on Mergers and Acquisitions, Insolvency and Bankruptcy, Contracts etc.,

He conceptualized and created www.IBCcases.com, India’s first unique, exclusive and now the most exhaustive Research Engine on the ‘Law of Insolvency and Bankruptcy’. IBCcases.com was launched by Dr M.S. Sahoo, Chairperson of the ‘Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India’.

He has co-authored a unique book published by Lexis Nexis titled ‘Supreme Court on Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code’, which is a consolidation of a section-wise analysis of all decisions of the Supreme Court.

Mr Suman is a member of the Governing Council of the Indo-Japan Chamber of Commerce, focusing exclusively on trade between India and Japan. He was instrumental in completing an economic survey on ‘Indian Industry expectations from Japanese Companies in Tamil Nadu’.

Mr Suman and his Firm are actively engaged in the international arena to attract foreign investments into India. Mr Suman has organized several India-focused Webinars with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, ITPO Tokyo. He also organized and completed a unique ‘Issue resolution summit’ for foreign companies and successfully resolved issues on fast-track mode with the support of the Central Government and the State Government of Tamil Nadu.

Mr P Muthusamy is an Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer with an outstanding career of 30+ years of experience and expertise in all niche areas of Indirect Taxes covering a wide spectrum including GST, Customs, GATT Valuation, Central Excise and Foreign Trade.

His expertise also extends to Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), Joint ventures/Collaborations especially in Related company valuation and related party transactions, Indirect Tax Advisory, Tax Compliance, Foreign Trade Advisory and IP Management.

He has a super specialization in sectors such as Health, Construction, Automotive, Pharmaceuticals, Agriculture, STEM, Information Technology, Transport and e-Commerce.

He served in various capacities as AO/AC/DC/JC with distinction in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh reaching the position of ‘Commissioner-Central Excise, Customs and GST’ during which he adjudicated a large number of cases related to the above areas.

During his stint in Tamil Nadu, he held senior positions including Head of Office, and Head Central intelligence unit and vigilance wing, Director of National Academy of Customs, Excise & Narcotics and Systems Manager of the Commissionerate during the implementation of Automation of Central Excise and Service Tax (ACES) and ICES 1.5.

While in Andhra Pradesh, he took on the challenging task of leading the GST implementation team, supervising, and controlling the administration of Tirupati, Vizag and Kakinada GST formations.

As the Zonal Unit Approval Committee Member, he approved number of SEZs and 100% EOU Units in MEPZ, STPI, Mahindra City SEZ, SRI City and Vizag SEZ’s.

He graduated with a degree in Agriculture and then went on to get his Law Degree and has a Masters in Management Systems from BITS, Pilani. Mr. Muthusamy is academically trained in the e-governance of revenue collection conducted by BITS Pilani, Special intelligence course for Revenue Officers (SICO) conducted by the Cabinet Secretariat, Gurgaon. Mid-Career Training Program of IRS (C&CE) Officers, Phase 4 by NACEN, Faridabad, IIM, Lucknow, London School of Economics, Cambridge University, UK and Nyenrode Business School, Amsterdam and Rules of Origin, Green Customs, IPR Implementation by WCO.

During his judicial role, he heard and decided a large number of cases, including some of the most sensitive, complicated, and high-stake matters on insolvency and bankruptcy, including many cases on resolution plans, shareholder disputes and Schemes of Amalgamation, De-mergers, restructuring etc.,

Some of the important cases dealt with by him are the Jet Airways case, Veer Gurjar Aluminum Industries, Innoventive Industries, Kirusa Software and the Tata Sons v. Cyrus Investments case.

Before joining the NCLT, he held important positions in the Madras High Court for 23 years in various capacities such as the Assistant Registrar (Insolvents Accounts) – Original Side admitting plaints, the Deputy Registrar – Judicial side supervising all Judicial Sections of the Registry, the Deputy Registrar (Administration), Co-ordinator of the High Court’s Mediation Centre, Joint Registrar. Finally, he acted as the Official Assignee of the High Court of Madras, administering Insolvency Estates for over four years.

Mr Nallasenapathy is presently a practising lawyer and a Partner at A.K. Mylsamy and Associates LLP. He advises clients on various corporate matters and represents clients before NCLT’s, NCLAT’s, High Courts and the Supreme Court.

A K Mylsamy is the Founder, Managing Partner and the anchor of the firm. He holds a Degree in law and a Degree in Literature. He is enrolled with the Bar Council of Tamil Nadu.

With over 53 years of standing at the Bar, he is known for his professional integrity and expertise in corporate and civil law.

He heads the litigation and arbitration practice of the Firm and regularly appears before various High Courts, the National Company Law Tribunals, the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal and the Supreme Court. He specializes in civil and commercial litigation with specific focus on shareholders litigation and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy practice of the Firm.

Mr. K Rajendran is a former Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer with a distinguished service of 35 years in the Indirect Taxation Department with rich experience and expertise in the fields of Customs, Central Excise, Service Tax and GST. He possesses Master’s Degree in English literature. Prior to joining the Department, he served for the All India Radio, Coimbatore for a period of about 4 years.

He served in various capacities and in various parts of the Nation including Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. As Assistant Director in the National Academy of Customs, Excise and Narcotics (NACEN), Bangalore, he enthusiastically conducted classes on Customs, central Excise, Service Tax and Narcotics control to the Departmental Officers of various grades belonging to the entire State of Karnataka. At the time of launch of Goods and Service Tax, he had undertaken the task of training the Departmental Officers of both the State and Central Governments on the complex legal provisions of GST. The Officers of both the Governments fondly recognize him as the Guru and constantly in touch with him for seeking clarifications on tax matters. With his rich experience and expertise, he had taken enormous interest for the implementation of Automation of Central Excise and Service Tax (ACES).

An MBA from the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta, and an M.Sc. in Tourism Management from the Scottish Hotel School, UK, Ashok Anantram was one fo the earliest IIM graduates to enter the Indian hospitality industry. He joined India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) in 1970 and after a brief stint proceeded to the UK on a scholarship.  On his return to India, he joined ITC Hotels Limited in 1975.  Over the 30 years in this Organisation, he held senior leadership positions in Sales & Marketing and was its Vice President – Sales & Marketing.  He was closely involved in decision making at the corporate level and saw the chain grow from a single hotel in 1975 to a very large multi-brand professional hospitality group.

During his stint at ITC hotels, he also headed the Human Resource & Training function as Vice President – Human Resources. Ashok Anantram represented the company at several interactions with Government and Industry Associations on Tourism and Hospitality.  He also held key positions in tourismindustry bodies.

He has a passion for teaching and has been faculty at numerous programs related to marketing and hospitality, including the Department of Marketing, University of Strathclyde, UK where he taught Sales & Marketing in their MBA program.

Following his retirement in 2003, he moved to Chennai and was President – Business Development at Apollo Hospitals Ltd. Currently he is a Consultant in good marketing and strategy to several Organisations.

Mani holds a Bachelor Degree in Science and P.G. Diploma in Journalism and Public Relations. He has a rich and varied experience of over 4 decades in Banking, Finance, Hospitality and freelance Journalism. He began his career with Andhra Bank and had the benefit of several training programs in Banking.

Later on, he became the Group CEO of the M.R. Kodandaram Group [a part of the M.S. Ramiah Group, Bangalore] in respect of a 5 Star Hotel and their Chemical and Bio Technology ventures. As the CEO, he successfully completed the construction of the hotel and also managed its operations.

He has contributed to several columns of the New Indian Express newspaper on issues relating to Personal Finance.

Mr. Kailash Chandra Kala joined the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance as ‘Customs Appraiser’ at Mumbai in the year 1993.

Served at different Custom Houses namely New Custom House Mumbai, Air Cargo Complex Import Commissionerate, JNCH Nhava Sheva. As Assistant Commissioner,  posted to Jamnagar Customs and during 2006 to 2010 served as Deputy Commissioner at Nhava Sheva.

Served as Joint Commissioner in Pune Customs and as an Additional Commissioner in Pune Central Excise. In 2018, went for Mid Career Training Programme (MCTP) to United Kingdom, Belgium and Netherland.

Served as Additional Commissioner at GST, Navi Mumbai & at Mumbai Customs JNCH and in ACC in Export Commissionerate.

• Well known expert in Customs Valuation, Classification and Assessment and in Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) certification.

• Closely associated with the implementation of EDI systems and GST.

• Awarded Commendation Certificate for outstanding service by the Chief Commissioner of Service Tax, Mumbai.

Mr.R.Sekar, Indian Revenue Service (R) of 1984 batch was formerly Joint Secretary (Tax Research Unit), Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, Government of India and retired as Principal Commissioner in the year 2016.

Mr.Sekar served in the policy making body of the Central Board of Indirect Tax (Tax Research Unit) during the period 1991 to 2008 at various capacities and associated with making of 15 Union Budgets.

His assignments include

• Assistant / Deputy commissioner of Customs and Central Excise at Trichur, Tirunelveli, Tuticorin, Rajapalayam, Kovilpatti, Sivakasi, Virudhunagar and Madurai.
• Additional Director General, Central Economic Intelligence Bureau, New Delhi.
• Additional Director, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, New Delhi.
• Deputy Secretary (TRU), CBIC, Department of Revenue, MOF, GOS
• Director, (Central Excise), CBIC, Department of Revenue, MOF, GOS
• Joint Secretary (TRU), CBIC, Department of Revenue, MOF, GOS
• Commissioner of Customs, Pune
• Principal Commissioner, (Service Tax), Mumbai.
• Chief Departmental Representative, CESTAT, Mumbai.
• Nominated as GST Expert to the Fourteenth Finance Commission.
• Represented Government of India in the Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers during the period 2004 to 2012.
• Chairman of Common Commodity Classification Code.
• Member Secretary to the High Power Committee on Petroleum Sector Reforms.
• Represented India in the World Trade Organisation and the other International trade negotiations.
• Worked with the National Institute of Public Finance and policy on Tax policy issues.
• Co-convener of the Committee to prepare the road map for the GST implementation in India.
• Nominated by the Government of India as nominee to the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India during the period 2007 to 2010.

S Ramanujam, is a Chartered Accountant with over 40 years of experience and specialization in areas of Corporate Tax, Mergers or Demergers, Restructuring and Acquisitions. He worked as the Executive Vice-President, Group Taxation of the UB Group, Bangalore.

He is a Specialist Editor of the Ramaiya’s Guide to the Companies Act, 17th Edition. He has authored a popular commentary on Mergers and Acquisition known as ‘Mergers et al’ [released in 2011 with the third edition being the latest] and the book ‘Brands Costs, Concepts and Case Studies’.

He is a faculty member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, Institute of Costs and Works Accountants of India, Institute of Company Secretaries of India, Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts, visiting faculty at the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore, National Law Schools, etc.,

He devotes substantial time in the academic field, associating with faculty members and enriching the career orientation of students. He has delivered many lectures and presented papers in conferences and is a regular contributor to the Hindu and the Business Line.

K K Balu holds a degree in B.A and B.L and is a Corporate Lawyer having over 50 years of Legal, Teaching and Judicial experience.

He has obtained training in India and Abroad on matters relating to Banking, Housing, Micro-Finance and Tax planning. He held senior positions in the National Housing Bank and Syndicate Bank between 1978 and 1996 and was a Legal Advisor for various Banks while practicing law.

He is the Former Vice-Chairman [judge] of the Company Law Board which position he occupied for over 12 years and has over 500 reported cases to his credit. He resumed his legal practice in 2009.He acts as an Arbitrator, Conciliator and Mediator.

Justice M. Jaichandren hails from an illustrious family of lawyers, academics and politicians. Justice Jaichandren majored in criminology and then qualified as a lawyer by securing a gold medal. He successfully practiced in the Madras High Court and appeared in several civil, criminal, consumer, labour, administrative and debt recovery tribunals. He held office as an Advocate for the Government (Writs Side) in Chennai and was on the panel of several government organizations as senior counsel. His true passion lay in practicing Constitutional laws with focus on writs in the Madras High Court. He was appointed Judge, High Court of Madras in December 2005 and retired in February 2017.

Besides a stellar legal career spanning nearing four decades, Justice Jaichandren was and is actively associated with several educational, social, cultural and service associations / organizations. The academic in him shines bright. While he is a teacher at prestigious legal institutions, he is also a student pursuing post-doctoral research in Law, University of Madras. Not only has he participated in several legal conferences and seminars, he has judged several moot court competitions and put together team(s) that would represent Indian legal talent internationally. His passion for human rights and environment protection saw him filing public interest litigations of importance.

S Balasubramanian is a Commerce and Law Graduate. He is a member of the Delhi Bar Council, an associate Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, the Institute of Company Secretaries of India and Management Accountants of India.

He initially joined the Indian Postal Service in 1966 through the Civil Service Examination. Thereafter, he became a member [judge] of the Company Law Board on its initial constitution in the year 1991 a position he occupied for a period of 19 years.

He was also the Chairman of the Company Law Board for over 12 years and has dealt with over 3000 cases and has over 600 reported cases to his credit. One of the landmark cases dealt by him was Satyam Computers Ltd, which due to his pro-active and timely decisions/orders was revived within a short period of 6 months.

He is a General Editor of the ‘Ramaiya’s Guide to the Companies Act, 2013’ and was the Chairman of the Editorial Board of the magazine ‘Chartered Secretary’ for 10 years.

He is also an Arbitrator and handles Arbitrations. He has 50 years of immense experience and expertise in Corporate Law.