YEAR OF CALL 2016

Mahesh Karu is a dynamic and highly sought-after junior barrister specialising in serious crime and complex financial investigations. He is regularly instructed in cases involving murder, large-scale fraud, drugs conspiracies, modern slavery, and offences under the Companies Act. Known for his ability beyond his call, Mahesh is frequently led by King’s Counsel in major cases and has an outstanding record in trials involving complex disclosure, expert evidence, and multiple defendants. His trial work includes major acquittals in cases involving drugs, human trafficking, and breaches of trust in high-security environments.

His criminal defence practice is complemented by specialist advisory roles with in relation to investigations carried out by organisations such as HMRC, the Bank of England, and the National Crime Agency. He is currently assisting the NCA and the Metropolitan Police in two  major investigations, and provides early-stage strategic advice in cases with millions in alleged fraud losses.

Mahesh carries a wealth of experience in advising on complex, high-profile investigations and has carried out extensive reviews both as independent counsel advising on legal professional privilege (LPP), and for both the prosecution and defence in large-scale disclosure reviews. His legal and technical knowledge and expertise in both the strategic management of extremely large reviews, and of the principles of legal professional privilege enable Mahesh to provide clear and detailed advice for investigators, suspects and third parties in large-scale investigations. Mahesh has significant experience in carrying out reviews using hard-copy material and digital solutions such as Nuix, Relativity and Cellibrite.

Notable Cases

FINANCIAL and CYBER CRIME & POCA

R v RR (2026) – Instructed as led junior counsel to represent the first defendant in Operation Bulldog, a multi-handed VAT fraud committed over years, claiming over £5,000,000 in VAT repayments.

R v LG (2025) – Successfully defended a young man alleged to have been a founder of the online organised crime group the “Chuckling Squad”, accused of targeting celebrities and high-profile accounts. Arguments relating to complex digital forensics and investigation methods led to the acquittal of the defendant. Led by John Ojakovoh

R v AK (2025) – Appeared on behalf of the defendant in complex confiscation proceedings, following his trial for the fraudulent importation of unlicensed medication. The case involved arguments as to third-party interests, apportionment of benefit in a conspiracy and the definition of “obtaining” criminal property, and appropriate methodologies for valuation of property. Led by John Ojakovoh

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R v VL (2025) Defendant fraudulently sold over £8.5m worth of properties to multiple victims, using false identities and companies. The offending including over 40 TICs and complex asset tracing relating to prestige cars and yacht. Led by John Ojakovoh.

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R v CM (2025) Instructed to represent the defendant in confiscation proceedings under POCA following his conviction for class A drug offences. The confiscation hearing involved third-party interest, the question of constructive trusts and the piercing of the corporate veil.

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R v SA (2025)
Fraud case involving 70+ bank cards and ID documents used by an organised crime group.

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R v RG & Others (2024)
Defended the lead defendant in a conspiracy to steal high-value property from British Airways at Heathrow Airport. The case involved serious breaches of trust and security access misuse. Led by Catherine Donnelly. 

R v YZ & Others (2024)
Defended in a five-handed modern slavery and money laundering trial. Client acquitted of trafficking and controlling prostitution; convicted of laundering £1.4m, being a much reduced figure than alleged. Led by Kings Counsel.

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R v CC (2022)

Defended in POCA confiscation proceedings following conviction for conspiracy to defraud involving the printing of false cheques. Successfully argued the confiscation order should be reduced from over £700,000 to approximately £3,000.

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HOMICIDE

R v LH (2025) Instructed to represent an individual charged with attempted murder. The defendant is said to have fired a sawn-off shotgun directly at the victim, causing significant injury to his arm. (Press link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c93g1yx92n8o)

R v MA (2021)
Represented a defendant charged with murder. Case involved complex psychiatric evidence and PTSD; manslaughter conviction secured on diminished responsibility. Led by Kings Counsel.

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R v AK (2020)
Junior in conspiracy to murder and firearms trial. Case involved complex gang dynamics and digital forensics. Led by Kings Counsel.

VIOLENT CRIME

R v CG (2023)
Defended the first defendant in a case involving robbery, GBH, bladed articles and imitation firearms. Convicted only on GBH, on the basis of excessive self-defence; acquitted on all other counts.

R v SS & Others (2020)
Defended lead defendant in a multi-handed kidnap and false imprisonment case. Secured full acquittal for all defendants.

DRUGS OFFENCES

R v KN (2025) Represented a defendant charged with running a county lines class A drugs line. The defendant sought to argue that they were the victim of modern slavery. Following numerous disclosure enquiries, the prosecution offered no evidence.

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R v SD & Others (2024)
Defended a vulnerable man charged under Operation ACTIN for allegedly converting over 60kg of cocaine into crack cocaine in his home. Client acquitted after complex mental health evidence and detailed examination of telephone material. Led by Catherine Donnelly .

R v AS (2024)

Represented a defendant in two joined cases of supplying class A cocaine and heroin, and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.

INVESTIGATIONS

• Currently instructed as Independent Counsel to advise the National Crime Agency on legal professional privilege in relation to the investigation into potential covid-based fraud and PPE Medpro

• Advising the Metropolitan Police Service on legal professional privilege relating to a sensitive and high-profile ongoing criminal investigation.

• Previously seconded to the Bank of England to assist in regulatory investigations under the Banking Act 2009, resulting in the Bank’s fining a financial market infrastructure firm for the very first time.

• Previously seconded to HMRC within the Fraud Investigation Service to advise on multiple complex money laundering, tax evasion, and corporate financial crime investigations at the earliest stages

• Acted as Independent Counsel advising the NCA on Legal Privilege in the investigation into ex-solicitor Phil Shiner for fraud relating to fraudulent claims of abuse made against British troops fighting in Iraq

• Instructed by the Serious Fraud Office as disclosure counsel to assist in the investigation into the £120Million fraud committed by Axiom Legal Financing Fund

• Instructed by the state of Mozambique as disclosure counsel in the $2Billion “tuna bonds” proceedings against Credit Suisse and Privinvest

• Assisted a high-profile foreign official linked to the “Missing Cryptoqueen” scandal in responding to investigations

• Instructed by the NCA as part of the investigation into bribery and corruption committed by the former Nigerian Oil Minister, Deizani Alison-Madueke.

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