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
- November 7, 2025
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…
SEBI’s Derivatives Rejig for Indices: Deconcentrating the Market, Diversifying the Risk
- October 31, 2025
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…
Arbitrator not disqualified for interpretation of similar clause in previous Arbitration
- October 30, 2025
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…
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…
Certified Agreement unnecessary if undisputed Agreement is on record
- October 28, 2025
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,…
RBI’s Offline Digital Rupee: Understanding India’s CBDC Revolution
- October 17, 2025
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,…
Arbitrator mandate can only be extended by the High Court
- October 13, 2025
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…
Facial Recognition for UPI Payments: A Legal and Regulatory Outlook on Biometric Authentication in India
- October 10, 2025
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…
Single Section 34 petition can challenge composite Award
- October 9, 2025
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…
Claims outside Resolution Plan not arbitrable
- October 7, 2025
JSW Ispat Special Products Limited v. Bharat Petroresources Limited Court – Delhi High Court Citation – O.M.P. (COMM) 533/2024 Date – 11.09.2025 The Hon’ble Delhi High Court has held that the claims that are not a part of the Resolution Plan are not arbitrable once the insolvency proceedings have been initiated and such claims shall…
Introduction Green financial technology (hereinafter referred to as “green fintech”) is reshaping India’s financial sector by weaving environmental, social, and governance (“ESG”) criteria into everyday products and services. It is where sustainability meets digital finance, covering everything from ESG-based credit scoring and climate-conscious loans to carbon-tracking applications and blockchain-enabled carbon markets. For example, digital lenders…
HLV Limited (Formerly known as Hotel LeelaVenture Pvt. Ltd.) v. PBSAMP Projects Pvt. Ltd. Court – Supreme Court Citation – SLP (Civil) No. 10732 of 2024 Date – 24.09.2025 The Hon’ble Supreme Court has held that additional post-award interest cannot be claimed under Section 31(7)(b) if Award fixed interest rate till payment. The Court held,…
Structuring an M&A Deal to Minimize Post-Closing Disputes
- October 1, 2025
Introduction In mergers and acquisitions (M&A), the excitement often centers on the signing ceremony and the announcement that two companies are joining forces. However, the true challenge lies beyond closing, when the integration of operations, cultures, systems, and teams begins. This phase is critical because unresolved financial, operational, regulatory, or legal issues can lead to…
Customer consent in high-volume retail: Setting up compliance-focused loyalty programs
- September 29, 2025
Introduction Loyalty programs form the bedrock of customer retention and promotion strategies in Indian retail and e-commerce. They help in understanding and predicting customer behaviour. Loyalty programs also collect and analyze vast troves of personal data. This includes mobile numbers, transaction histories, geolocation, and behaviour insights. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (“DPDPA”), has…
Alleging digital signature misuse isn’t denying arbitration agreement’s existence
- September 29, 2025
Sunita Gupta v. URGO Capital Limited & Ors. Court – Calcutta High Court Citation – C.S. (COM) No. 55 of 2025 Date – 11.09.2025 The Hon’ble Calcutta High Court has held that the allegation of misuse of digital signature does not amount to denial of existence of arbitration agreement. The Court held, “25. The plaintiffs…
Applicability of RBI Regulations in FinTech’s Integration of Robo-Advisory
- September 26, 2025
INTRODUCTION India’s financial services sector has undergone a remarkable digital transformation over the past decade, driven by rapid fintech innovation, the rise of mobile-first banking, and increasing adoption of Artificial Intelligence (“AI”). One of the most visible outcomes of this shift is the emergence of robo-advisory platforms. They are algorithm-driven services that provide automated, data-based…
Privacy Compliance for School and University Student Records: From Collection to Expunction
- September 25, 2025
Introduction In an administrative framework, student records once served as an instrument in facilitating and ensuring institutional formalities. In contrast, they have now become a crucial part of institutional governance. Hence, their management and protection under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (“DPDP Act”), 2023, as well as under the existing framework of the Information…
Furnishing of Security can be directed under Section 37 appeal
- September 25, 2025
Beevee Enterprises & Ors. v. L & T Finance Limited Court – Calcutta High Court Citation – APOT 208 OF 2025 IA NO. GA 1 OF 2025 Date – 11.09.2025 The Hon’ble Calcutta High Court has held that a party can be directed to furnish security under Section 37 appeal, for the loan as per…
Understanding the Role of Antitrust Laws in M&A Deals
- September 24, 2025
Introduction Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) are pivotal strategies that companies employ to expand their market presence, improve operational efficiencies, and enhance shareholder value. These transactions can reshape entire industries by combining resources, technology, and customer bases. However, while M&A offers significant business opportunities, it also raises concerns about market competition. Antitrust laws, also known as…
Consent-Or-Pay Model: Choice Or Coercion?
- September 24, 2025
Introduction In recent years, a new monetization strategy has emerged in digital services: the “consent-or-pay” model. Under this approach, users of a platform are given a binary choice: either agree to pervasive data collection and personalized advertising (consent) or pay a fee for an ad-free experience. One recent example of this model is Meta’s “pay-or-consent”…
Minor GST Return Errors Cannot Defeat Statutory Refund Entitlement
- September 23, 2025
The Gujarat High Court, in this case of Ruhi Siraj Makda v. Union of India, R/Special Civil Application No. 2507 of 2023, decided on 14.08.2025, directed the Customs authorities to sanction the Petitioner’s IGST refund with interest, holding that a mere technical mismatch in GST returns could not defeat the exporter’s statutory entitlement. FACTS Ruhi…
Building Audit-Ready Consent Systems for Healthcare
- September 23, 2025
INTRODUCTION Consent in healthcare is no longer a matter of routine paperwork. It has become a statutory and governance obligation under India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (“DPDP Act”), the National Digital Health Mission (“NDHM”), and the oversight of ethical guidelines in medical practice. Hospitals and clinics are data fiduciaries. They carry a direct…
Synthetic Identity Fraud: The Silent Threat to Digital Lending
- September 19, 2025
Introduction Digital lending makes borrowing fast and easy, but it also creates a new target for criminals: synthetic identity fraud (SIF). Unlike old-school fraud, which uses someone else’s name or credentials, SIF builds fake, but realistic, identities from bits and pieces of real and made-up data. These synthetic “people” can get loans, credit cards, and benefits, racking up huge losses before anyone spots the deception. What is SIF? Synthetic Identity Fraud occurs when criminals…
Key Clauses In M&A Agreements That Organizations Overlook
- September 19, 2025
INTRODUCTION Mergers and acquisitions are complex transactions that require meticulously drafted agreements to govern the relationship between the buyer, the seller, and other stakeholders. The M&A agreement not only sets out the commercial terms such as purchase price but also lays down the detailed legal framework that allocates risks, responsibilities, and protections. Its primary purpose…
Gujarat Power Corporation Limited v. Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited Court – Gujarat High Court Citation – R/Special Civil Application No. 6910 of 2025 Date – 11.09.2025 The Hon’ble Gujarat High Court has held that a Writ Court should only interfere with procedural order of arbitral proceedings under rarest of rare circumstances or if the…
Data Privacy Safeguards for Manufacturing Sector Post-DPDPA
- September 17, 2025
Introduction The rapid integration of the Internet of Things (“IoT”) into India’s manufacturing sector has transformed supply chain operations. IoT-enabled sensors, Radio-Frequency Identification (“RFID”) tags, and connected logistics systems now support real-time inventory management, predictive maintenance, and optimised delivery processes. This digital infrastructure has enhanced efficiency and competitiveness, but it has also introduced significant vulnerabilities…
Protecting IP Assets in a Merger or Acquisition
- September 17, 2025
Introduction India’s startup ecosystem has reached new heights with unprecedented venture capital inflows and a growing appetite for mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Many founders cherish the unique moment a startup is acquired, whether by a strategic investor, a tech behemoth, or a private equity fund. When a buyer comes to the table, they are not…
