The Hon’ble Supreme Court, in the case of General Manager, U.P. Cooperative Bank Limited. vs. Achchey Lal & Anr., Civil Appeal Numbers 2974 of 2016, decided on 11.09.2025, clarified the legal principles governing the determination of an employer-employee relationship where workers are engaged through an intermediary, in this case, a registered employees’ cooperative society running…
INTRODUCTION The Goods and Services Tax (hereinafter referred to as “GST”) cancellation of registration has been noted to be one of the most contested matters in the GST regime. Businesses often dispute cancellation orders on the basis of flawed Show Cause Notices (hereinafter referred to as “SCN”), absence of factual specifics, mechanical argument and breach…
Defamation Risks in Termination Letters: Balancing Contractual Rights and Employee Reputation
- 2025-11-17
The Delhi High Court, in the case of Abhijit Mishra v. Wipro Limited, Civil Suit (OS) Number 31 of 2021, decided on 14.07.2025, addressed the extent to which employers can exercise their contractual termination rights without violating an employee’s right to reputation. The Court held that while the Defendant was entitled to terminate the employment…
13 November 2025 will be remembered as the day India crossed into a new digital era, a Privacy Singularity. For the first time, the rights of the Indian citizen are codified, actionable, and backed by statutory duties on every Data Fiduciary and Processor. This is bigger than compliance. It is a redistribution of digital power….
Introduction FinTech apps make money movement feel effortless, but the moment you sign up they start collecting a lot of personal and financial details. This can include your phone number, bank information, ID proofs, transaction history and even how you use your device. All of this sits behind the smooth buttons and screens you tap…
The High Court of Orissa in the case of Aruni Stone Crusher v. Superintendent, Central GST and Central Excise (2025) 35 Centax 284 (Ori.), decided on 25.09.2025, examined whether a rectification application filed under Section 161 of the Goods and Services Tax (hereinafter referred to as “GST”) Act, 2017 must be considered before continuing with…
The Apprenticeship (Amendment) Rules, 2025 – Strengthening Compliance, Equity, and Employability
- 2025-11-10
INTRODUCTION The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (hereinafter referred to as the “Ministry“) issued a notification on September 3, 2025. This notification amends the Apprenticeship Rules, 1992 (hereinafter referred to as the “Apprenticeship Rules“) through the Apprenticeship (Amendment) Rules, 2025 (hereinafter referred to as the “Amendment Rules“). This reform represents a significant policy intervention…
Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited v. HCL Infotech Limited Court – Himachal Pradesh High Court Citation – OMP (M) No. 55 of 2024 in CARBC No.13 of 2025 Date – 10.10.2025 The Hon’ble Himachal Pradesh High Court has held that bureaucratic delays and internal movement of files cannot be ground for condoning delay in…
Inclusive Digital Compliance: SEBIs New Accessibility Norms After The Supreme Court’s KYC Verdict
- 2025-11-07
Introduction Over the past years, the financial technology (hereinafter referred to as “FinTech”) industry in India recorded an unprecedented growth due to regulatory developments, a swift digitalization process, and the increasing access to financial services. However, this change has not been fairly shared. The inaccessibility of digital platforms still poses a barrier to the access…
MMTC Limited v. Anglo American Metallurgical Coal Pvt. Limited Court – Supreme Court Citation – Civil Appeal no. 13321 of 2025 Date – 03.11.2025 The Hon’ble Supreme Court has held that the the execution of an Arbitral Award can be objected to only if decree is void or without jurisdiction. The Court held, “97. We…
Balancing Trade, Public Health and Data Privacy: Madras HC On Tamil Nadu’s Online Gaming Law
- 2025-11-05
Introduction One of the rapidly expanding sectors of the digital economy, the online real-money gaming (hereinafter referred to as “RMG”) industry in India has been a matter of a severe legal reckoning in the state of Tamil Nadu. In a landmark case in Play Games 24×7 Private Limited and Ors. v. State of Tamil Nadu…
The High Court of Judicature at Andhra Pradesh in the case of Nspira Management Services Pvt. Ltd. v. Assistant/Deputy Commissioner of Central Tax, Writ Petition Number 18287 & 14905 of 2024, decided on 26.09.2025 under Section 54 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 (hereinafter referred to as “CGST”) held that the limitation…
INTRODUCTION The Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 (hereinafter referred to as the “Gratuity Act”) stands as a significant legislative measure in India aimed at providing financial security to employees as a gesture of gratitude for their long and continuous service with an organization. Gratuity is a statutory benefit, typically granted to employees who have completed…
Introduction India’s derivatives market has become one of the most active globally, but much of its activity has revolved around a few heavyweight indices. To correct this imbalance, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI“) issued a circular on October 30, 2025, introducing new eligibility norms for derivatives on non-benchmark indices such as Bank…
Steel Authority of India Limited v. British Marine PLC Court – Delhi High Court Citation – O.M.P. (COMM) 20/2023 and I.A. 1116/2023 Date – 13.10.2025 The Hon’ble Delhi High Court has held that interpretation of similar clause in an earlier Arbitration does not render Arbitrator’s current appointment invalid. The Court held, “54. Applying the aforementioned…
Shadow AI vs. Proactive AI: The Invisible Data Privacy Crisis Hiding in Your Organization
- 2025-10-29
Most of your employees are using unauthorized AI tools right now. Are you the 67% of organizations with zero visibility? Your Organisation The global AI narrative is fractured. On one side, boards celebrate approved innovation. On the other, an unmanaged crisis of Shadow AI, is silently exposing proprietary data and attracting fierce regulatory scrutiny. The…
Introduction In today’s digital economy, cross-border data transfers are a key part of global trade. For Indian businesses, this is a day-to-day operational reality, but it is also a trigger for multifaceted challenges because of the range of disparate and often conflicting data protection laws in different countries. The disequilibrium of legal regulations is not…
The High Court of Bombay in the case of Canon India Pvt. Ltd. v. Union of India, Writ Petition No. 9937 of 2025, decided on 09.09.2025, examined the obligation of Customs authorities to issue reasoned orders on exemption claims even when importers file Bills of Entry “under protest”. The Court held that a reasoned order…
Techtix Engineers v. Megastone Logipark Pvt. Ltd. & Ors. Court – Gujarat High Court Citation – R/Special Civil Application No. 6878 of 2023 Date – 07.10.2025 The Hon’ble Gujarat High Court has held that the certified copy of the arbitration agreement is not necessary if an undisputed agreement copy is on record. The Court held,…
The High Court of Karnataka, in the case of Employees’ State Insurance Corporation v. M/s Bhima & Brothers Jewellers, Miscellaneous First Appeal No. 6576 of 2015, decided on 02.07.2025, examined the scope of “wages” under Section 2(22) of the Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948 (hereinafter referred to as “ESI Act”) and clarified whether components such…
Introduction India’s digital payment system has changed the way people move money. The success of the Unified Payments Interface (“UPI”) shows how easy it has become to send and receive money instantly. It has made digital transactions fast, secure, and available to millions. Yet what happens when the internet fails is a big question. In…
Introduction India’s new era of digital accountability has begun with the introduction of Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (hereinafter referred to as “DPDPA“) which is expected to be implemented in the near future. The legislation establishes a comprehensive framework on the collection, use, storage, and transfer of an individual’s personal data. For some organizations,…
The Hon’ble Delhi High Court in Harbhajan Singh Thukral v. Government of NCT of Delhi, Department of Trade and Taxes, W.P. (C) No. 3967 of 2025, decided on 20.08.2025, held that where the refund amount lying in a taxpayer’s electronic cash ledger is erroneously adjusted against a liability that has been subsequently cancelled, the taxpayer…
The Hon’ble Supreme Court in M/s Godwin Construction Pvt. Ltd. v. Commissioner, Meerut Division & Anr, Civil Appeal No. 7661 of 2014, decided on 08.10.2025, reaffirmed the well-established principle that the classification of an instrument for the purposes of stamp duty depends upon its substance and legal effect rather than upon its nomenclature or title….
INTRODUCTION In October 2025, the Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India, unveiled the draft National Labour and Employment Policy, popularly known as Shram Shakti Niti 2025. This landmark policy represents a transformative milestone in India’s labour governance framework, aiming to shift from a predominantly regulatory and enforcement model to a facilitative, inclusive, and…
Best Eastern Business House Pvt Ltd. v. Mina Pradhan Court – Calcutta High Court Citation – AP-COM – 296 of 2025 Date – 23.09.2025 The Hon’ble Calcutta High Court has held that the mandate of an Arbitrator under Section 29A(4) can only be extended by the High Court and not by the Principal Civil Court…
Introduction The Unified Payments Interface (hereinafter referred to as “UPI”) has changed India’s payment systems by offering quick and easy digital transactions to all whether customers are at a big store or getting groceries from a small roadside vendor. UPI has played a pivotal role in the country’s digital payment adoption and integration. The users…
Cloud Service and Telecom Data Breaches
- 2025-10-09
INTRODUCTION In recent years, cloud service providers and telecommunications companies have increasingly become prime targets of cyber-attacks due to the extensive amounts of sensitive data they store and manage. These sectors hold critical customer information, business secrets, and infrastructure details that are highly valued by cybercriminals. The frequency and scale of data breaches in cloud…
Mapping Data Flows for Global Companies
- 2025-10-09
INTRODUCTION In the era of digital transformation, multinational corporations increasingly rely on integrated HR platforms, shared service centers, and global cloud-based tools to manage their workforce. India, with its immense and skilled talent pool, frequently serves as a key hub for employment, making the mapping and management of India-based employee data a business and legal…
Damodar Valley Corporation v. AKA Logistics Private Limited Court – Calcutta High Court Citation – AP-COM -166 of 2025 Date – 23.09.2025 The Hon’ble Calcutta High Court has held that a Composite Arbitral Award can be challenged under a single Section 34 Petition. The Court held, “30. The Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, does not…
