Regenta Hotels Private Limited v. Hotel Grand Centre Point and Ors. Court – Supreme Court Citation – SLP (CIVIL) NO. 30212 OF 2024 Date – 07.01.2026 The Hon’ble Supreme Court has held that Arbitration proceedings commence from the date of receipt of invocation notice by the Respondent and not from the date of appointment of…
Designing for Deterrence: Drafting Internal Policies to Withstand Penalties under the DPDP Act
- 2026-01-07
Introduction The enactment of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (“DPDP Act”), followed by the notification of the Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025, represents a shift in corporate governance operations. For nearly a quarter of a century, data protection in India was governed by the 43A and the SPDI Rules of 2011 under…
The Gujarat High Court, in the case of Pratik Surendrakumar Shah vs. State of Gujarat & Anr, Special Civil Application No. 2496 of 2024, decided on 02.05.2025, held GST proceedings initiated against a dissolved company do not survive under the established Principle of Law. FACTS Pratik Surendra Kumar Shah (hereinafter “Petitioner”), was a former Director…
Lubna Shah v. B. M. Jayeshankar & Others Court – Karnataka High Court Citation – Civil Misc. Petition No. 155 of 2025 Date – 14.11.2025 The Hon’ble Karnataka High Court has held that non-parties to an agreement can only be added to an arbitration under exceptional circumstances. The Court held, “12.6. The sanctity of arbitration…
INTRODUCTION On a contemporary scale, India’s financial ecosystem has greatly evolved, accompanied by swift technological upgrades. One of the most important innovations influencing mass market participation is the Unified Payments Interface (hereinafter referred to as “UPI“). If in the distant past, digital payment was often restricted to the primary account holder, nowadays, UPI has gone…
The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, and its accompanying Rules have fundamentally altered the compliance landscape for India’s healthcare sector. For hospitals, diagnostic centers, and telemedicine platforms processing patient data, the stakes have never been higher. With penalties reaching up to ₹250 crore for serious contraventions and regulatory enforcement now operational, the time for…
DPDP Rules Notified – Immediate Actions
- 2025-11-19
The Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025 were notified in the Gazette on 13 November 2025 (G.S.R. 846(E)). Some provisions are already in force, while the core compliance obligations kick in over the next 12–18 months: Rules 1, 2 and 17–21 apply from publication; Rule 4 (Consent Managers’ registration) starts one year after publication; Rules…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
The “Waiting Room” of Indian Data Privacy
- 2025-10-07
It’s October 2025, and the Indian digital ecosystem feels like it’s on the edge of its seat. The passing of the much anticipated date of September 28, 2025, for the DPDP Rules, though initially a melody to ears, means the waiting continues as all eyes remain on the door for the final rules to arrive….
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,…
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…
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…
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…
