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By - Neeti Niyaman
Bail must not be granted on monetary undertakings: Supreme Court’s ruling in Gajanan Dattatray Gore
In a recent judgment, the Supreme Court in Gajanan Dattatray Gore strongly condemned the practice of granting bail based on monetary undertakings. The Court emphasized that all bail applications — whether regular or anticipatory — must be decided solely on legal merit, not on the accused’s willingness to deposit money, reaffirming the principle that justice cannot be bought.
By - Neeti Niyaman
RCO vs RPO: Muddling Regulatory Waters
As India intensifies its push toward renewable energy, the coexistence of Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPO) under the Electricity Act and Renewable Consumption Obligations (RCO) under the Energy Conservation Act has created regulatory uncertainty. This article unpacks the Draft RCO Notification of 2024, spotlighting sectoral blind spots, constitutional concerns, and compliance challenges. It examines the gaps between RCO and RPO frameworks and argues for harmonization to avoid duplication and ease regulatory burdens for industry.
By - Neeti Niyaman
Quashing Criminal Cases Amid Civil Disputes – SC Guidelines
While there is no legal bar on pursuing both civil and criminal remedies for the same dispute, Indian courts have increasingly scrutinized whether criminal complaints are being used as tools of coercion in civil matters. This article explores how the Supreme Court applies the “overwhelming element of criminality” test to decide whether to quash criminal proceedings when a parallel civil dispute exists, with insights across insolvency, matrimonial, contractual, and testamentary contexts.
By - Neeti Niyaman
VPPA in India: Benefits, Process & Key Guidelines
As India accelerates its clean energy transition, Virtual Power Purchase Agreements (VPPAs) offer a flexible route for corporates to support renewable energy without altering their electricity supply. This article explains the mechanics of VPPAs, their regulatory framework under SEBI and CERC, and how they enable sustainability commitments through financial settlement and REC transfer – without physical power delivery.
By - Neeti Niyaman
Online Gaming: Navigating the Game of Skill v. Game of Chance Conundrum
As India’s online gaming industry accelerates, legal clarity remains elusive. This article unpacks how courts have distinguished games of skill from games of chance, the constitutional tussle between state bans and central regulation, and what a unified legal framework could mean for fantasy sports, poker, rummy, and beyond.
By - Neeti Niyaman
Rights of Landowners in Land Acquisition Proceedings
As India expands its infrastructure footprint, the rights of landowners often clash with the power of eminent domain. This article explores the evolution from the 1894 Land Acquisition Act to the progressive 2013 law, highlighting compensation, resettlement, and judicial safeguards that now define land acquisition in India.
By - Neeti Niyaman
Electricity as a Financial Commodity: Understanding Electricity Futures and Their Role in Indian Power Sector Reform
India’s power sector takes a major leap with Electricity Futures, enabling businesses to hedge against price volatility and improve risk management. This article explores how financial electricity contracts work, their regulatory framework under SEBI and CERC, and why they are vital for a transparent and efficient energy market.
By - Neeti Niyaman
Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code: Lessons from the Bhushan Steel Case and IBBI’s Role in Strengthening CIRP
The Supreme Court’s Bhushan Steel judgment exposes serious lapses in India’s insolvency framework, from procedural violations to CoC oversight failures. Our analysis unpacks key lessons, judicial intervention limits, and urgent IBBI reforms needed to restore transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP).
By - Neeti Niyaman
Personality Rights in India: Legal Protection in the Age of AI and Identity Theft
In an era of deepfakes, AI clones, and viral impersonations, personality rights in India have taken center stage. This article unpacks the legal landscape surrounding the right to privacy and publicity, explores landmark judgments involving Indian celebrities, and examines how existing laws from constitutional protections to IP statutes are being interpreted to safeguard individual identity in the digital age.
By - Neeti Niyaman
Employment Bonds in India: Key Takeaways from the Supreme Court’s Vijaya Bank Ruling
The Supreme Court’s ruling in Vijaya Bank v. Prashant B. Narnaware clarifies the legality of employment bonds in India. It holds that such bonds are enforceable when tied to valid employment agreements, limited to the period of employment, and supported by reasonable liquidated damages. The judgment offers critical guidance on balancing employer interests with constitutional and contractual protections.
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