10 Most Inspiring Legal Leaders in India 2025

With over two decades of experience, Suchitra Maharana is an exceptional legal expert. Throughout her career, she has worked in different domains, including EPC, oil and gas, power, telecom, logistics, and manufacturing. Currently leading as the Senior Vice President & Head – Legal, Risk & Contracts at Bajel Projects Ltd

Known for her leading contracts and integrating ESG and compliance frameworks in business goals, Ms. Suchitra has led organizations in strengthening governance and mitigating risk. Beyond technical proficiency, she advocates ethical leadership, diversity, and inclusivity; she serves on POSH committees and shapes codes of conduct across organisations. 

Ms. Suchitra is one of the few women who are leading in the male-dominated sectors like EPC and infrastructure with her resilience and leadership.

Ms. Suchitra Mahapatra is recognised as one of the Most Inspiring Legal Leaders in India 2025. In a one-on-one interview with Corporate TrendZ, she shared how she integrated AI into legal functions:

“By integrating AI tools and digital platforms, we have been able to centralize data, streamline contract management, and improve transparency across projects. This shift allows for real-time tracking of deliverables and better monitoring of risk exposure.”