HNLU team wins 9th Dastur National Direct Tax Moot Court Competition; students secure top individual honours

A team from Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU), Raipur, has emerged as the Winner of the 9th Dastur National Direct Tax Moot Court Competition organised by Government Law College, Mumbai, in collaboration with The Chamber of Tax Consultants.

The preliminary and quarter-final rounds were conducted online on June 13, 2026, while the semi-final rounds were held at the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Mumbai, and the final round at Government Law College, Mumbai, on June 27, 2026.

The HNLU team comprising Devesh Mishra, Asmi Chandrakar, Rashleen Kaur Saluja, all students of the 3rd Year, B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) programme (Batch of 2029), delivered an exceptional performance throughout the competition.

In addition to securing the championship trophy and a cash prize of ₹12,000, the team earned distinguished individual honours. Rashleen Kaur Saluja was adjudged the Best Speaker, receiving a cash prize of ₹5,000, while Devesh Mishra was declared the Second Best Speaker, receiving a cash prize of ₹3,000.

Congratulating the students and Dr Anindya Tiwari & faculty moot mentors, Prof. VC Vivekanandan, Vice-Chancellor, HNLU, observed that the University's sustained success in national and international moot court competitions is a reflection of its emphasis on experiential legal education.

"Mooting is not merely a competition but an essential component of legal education. The Moot Clinic has enabled our students to cultivate the discipline of research, persuasive advocacy, teamwork, and professional ethics in a manner that traditional examinations cannot. This continued stream of national achievements validates HNLU's commitment to outcome-based, practice-oriented legal education," he said.

He noted that HNLU's innovative Moot Clinic initiative, introduced in place of the conventional mid-term examination in advocacy-oriented courses, has transformed the manner in which students develop research, drafting, oral advocacy, and courtroom skills.

As per the University, by simulating the rigours of actual litigation and subjecting students to continuous assessment through mooting exercises, the it has created a robust advocacy ecosystem that consistently prepares students to excel on competitive platforms.

The University congratulated the team for bringing laurels to HNLU and appreciated the guidance provided by the faculty members and moot mentors who continue to nurture advocacy excellence within the institution.

About HNLU

Established in 2003, Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur, is one of India's leading National Law Universities, recognised for its commitment to excellence in legal education, research, innovation, and professional skill development. Through its emphasis on experiential learning, interdisciplinary scholarship, and global engagement, HNLU continues to produce graduates who distinguish themselves in litigation, academia, public service, corporate practice, and policymaking.

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