Bunty Batra
Profile
Mr Batra was called to the Bar in February 1988. By 1989 he appeared in the Chambers directory as ‘highly recommended in crime’.
For over 30 years he has defended in many serious criminal cases, which include cases murder, attempted murder and rape. The rape offences have varied from historical rape to familial rape, stranger rape to gang rape to large scale multi- handed child grooming offences, He has defended in both the much publicised Rochdale grooming scandal and in operation Tendersea in Leeds. He has a particular interest in terrorism and defended serious terrorism offences; Mr Batra has appeared in human trafficking and human slavery cases, these cases have involved trafficking both for the purpose of prostitution and modern slavery. Mr Batra has defended in multi-million pound frauds and multi-million pound class involving class A drugs offences, offences that have alleged both the importation of class A drugs and conspiracy to supply the same. He appeared at the time of trial, in the largest ever importation and distribution of firearms into the UK. He has appeared in high profile cases both alone and with Queen’s Counsel. He appears regularly before the High Court particularly in the Court of Appeal Criminal Division and the Divisional Court he has been instructed counsel in a number of reported cases, some of which, have gone to shape to the English law. He is a very experienced jury advocate.
Mr Batra sat as a legal assessor at the GMC (General Medical Council).
Mr Batra has, for many years, lectured Registrars and Consultant Psychiatrists on giving expert evidence.
Mr Batra has been in the Chambers Directory as ‘highly recommended’ in crime.
Particular Interests include, terrorism and cases with a mental health element to them.
Expertise
Drugs Offences
R v Shah, Liverpool Crown Court, 2007: Large scale importation and distribution of cocaine [VHCC case]
R v Rawson, Derby Crown Court, 2006: Large importation of cocaine [VHCC case] Reported
R v Badat, Bristol Crown Court, 2005: Large scale supply of cocaine and heroin [VHCC case]
R v Mullen, Manchester Crown Court, 2000: Large scale importation of cocaine
R v S [2020] EWCA Crim. 765:Production of a controlled drug. Human Trafficking. Successful application for leave conviction out of time. Conviction quashed. Click here to view judgment.
Firearms Offences
R v Bauyz, Manchester Crown Court, 2006: At the time of trial the largest ever importation of firearms/ammunition/silencers into the UK
Forced Marriages
Manchester Crown Court, 2015: Defended a man who forced his 14-year-old daughter to marry a man aged 30. The case was reported in the Manchester Evening News.
R v Essa, 2009: Forced marriages – consummated – mother tried for arranging or facilitating child sex offences;
Murder
R v Shaffiq, Bradford Crown Court, 2020: Disposal of a body after a joint enterprise murder;
R v Singh, Manchester Crown Court, 2015: Murder by attempted decapitation, trial counsel;
R v Beckford, 2013: Murder/violent disorder;
R v Green, 2010: Murder;
R v Goodwin, Preston Crown Court, 2007: Murder;
R v Balakrishnan, Manchester Crown Court, 2005: Murder;
R v Wilson, Manchester Crown Court, 2005: Murder;
R v Janukowiz, Preston Crown Court, 2002: Murder;
R v Haq Khan, Wolverhampton, 2002: Murder;
R v Khan, Preston Crown Court, 2002: Murder
Attempted Murder
R v Shabhir, 2013: Attempted murder; (reported case on hearsay and calling of frightened witnesses);
R v S Ali, Preston Crown Court, 2007: Attempted murder;
R v Lai, Preston Crown Court, 2006: Attempted murder;
R v Harlow, Manchester Crown Court, 2002: Attempted murder;
Causing Death By Dangerous Driving
R v Shankara Modwadia, Leicester Crown Court, 2019: Represented a man who caused the death of a 16-year-old child;
R v Gabriella Ruszo, Nottingham CC 2018: People trafficking, forced prostitution;
R v Ion, Preston Crown Court, 2016: People trafficking, forced prostitution;
R v Nusrat Khan, Preston Crown Court, 2013: Multi-handed people trafficking case which attracted significant media attention
R v Khan, 2013: People trafficking and child prostitution
R v S [2020] EWCA Crim. 765:Production of a controlled drug. Human Trafficking. Successful application for leave conviction out of time. Conviction quashed. Click here to view judgment.
R v Mohammed Ibrar Bradford, (Operation Tendersea) 2023: Counts of Rape and Sexual Assault (2 month trial)
R v Mohammed Iqbal * Manchester Minshull Street, (Operation Lycett) 2023 (Three month trial) 2023; Paying for sexual services of a child- A continuation of the ‘Rochdale’ grooming and child sexual exploitation cases, [worthy of note, is that I was also instructed in the first Rochdale grooming trial in 2016].
R v Nadeem, Leeds Crown Court, 2018: Charged with Rape and supplying class A drugs (one of nine defendants charged with grooming offences in Huddersfield). This case received huge publicity due to interference with defendants by far-right activist Tommy Robinson;
R v Raja, Minshull Street Crown Court, 2016: Rape;
R v Walsh, Minshull Street Crown Court, 2016: Rape;
R v Ali, Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court, 2015/16: Rochdale grooming case that received significant press attention;
R v Ali, 2013: Rape and child grooming;
R v Ahmed, 2009: Arranging or facilitating child prostitution;
R v Williams, Manchester Crown Court, 2007: Rape;
R v Nabella Anjum – Leeds Crown Court 2023: Terrorism – ‘Failing to disclose information about acts of Terrorism contrary to s 38B (1) (a) of the Terrorism Act 2000’.
R v Alcharbati, 2018: Represented a civil engineer charged with offences under the Terrorism Act 2006.
R v Berry, Kingston Upon Thames Crown Court, 2019/2020: Money laundering;
R v Williams and others, 2014: A VHCC case – Operation Barber: £6million long firm fraud, instructed as the leading junior;
R v Sarwar, Cardiff Crown Court, 2013/4: 10-handed cut -throat money laundering offences.
Appointments/Memberships
- Member of the Honourable Society of Grays Inn
- Member of the Northern Circuit