Obhan & Associates

In recent years, arbitration has become one of the most popular methods of resolving commercial disputes. The Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 ("Act") lays down the framework for arbitration proceedings in India, enabling parties to settle disputes out of court. In this blog post, we will examine the recent judgement by the Delhi High Court in Unthinkable Solutions LLP v. Ejohri Jewels Hub Pvt. Ltd , which highlights the importance of specific reference while incorporating and enforcing an arbitration clause from another contract. ...

The Supreme Court of India ("Court") adjudicated a Public Interest Litigation ("PIL") that was filed by the Hindu Sena Samiti, on November 14, 2024. The petitioners raised concerns about inflammatory statements made by various political figures, alleging that such statements threatened public order and national security. ...

The recent judgment by the Supreme Court's ("Court") constitutional bench in Central Organisation for Railway Electrification v. M/s ECI SPIC SMO MCML (JV) brings in a fresh vision for Indian arbitration law. The landmark judgment delivered by a five-judge bench headed by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud addresses. ...

The Supreme Court of India (the "Supreme Court") passed two interim orders in October 2024, both of which ruled in favour of journalists against whom FIRs have been filed. In both instances, the FIRs were registered against the journalists for writing articles, alleging that the Uttar Pradesh Government favours individuals from certain castes for their appointment to administrative posts. ...

On September 12, 2024, the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance notified the Foreign Exchange (Compounding Proceedings) Rules, 2024 ("Compounding Rules"), in supersession of the Foreign Exchange (Compounding Proceedings) Rules, 2000. Subsequent to the notification of the Compounding Rules, the Reserve Bank of India ("RBI") notified the new directions on the compounding of contraventions. ...

On October 8, 2024, through a consultation paper released by the Securities and Exchange Board of India ("SEBI") a new policy has been proposed on data-sharing for the purposes of research and analysis ("Policy"). The Policy is applicable to all intermediaries and Market Infrastructure Institutions ("MIIs") and is aimed at streamlining business operations in India's financial markets while addressing critical data privacy challenges. . . .

Recently, the Kerala High Court ("Court") ruled that media persons, in discussing the contents of a publicly available book, cannot be prosecuted for defamation. The media persons, in conducting such discussions, would be exercising their freedom of speech through engaging in fair comment and criticism. ...

On September 19, 2024, the Department of Telecommunications, ("DoT") issued the Telecommunications (Right of Way) Rules, 2024 ("RoW Rules") under the Telecommunications Act, 2023 ("Telecom Act"). The RoW Rules, which will come into force on January 1, 2025, seek to regulate the establishment, operation and maintenance of underground telecommunications infrastructure. ...

In a recent judgment, the Delhi High Court ("Court") dealt with the emerging issue of social media influencers commenting on topics they are unqualified to discuss, particularly when such comments have the potential to harm a brand's reputation. The case of Zydus Wellness Products Limited v. Mr. Prashant Desai , highlights the growing responsibility of influencers. ...

In January 2024, a division bench of the Bombay High Court consisting of Justice G. S. Patel and Justice Neela Ghokale (the "Division Bench") pronounced a split verdict in the case of Kunal Kamra v. Union of India & Ors. In the said matter, the constitutional validity of the amendments made to Rule. ...

Pursuant to the commitments made during the announcement of the Union Budget 2024-25, the Department of Economic Affairs of the Ministry of Finance, notified the Foreign Exchange (Compounding Proceedings) Rules, 2024 on September 12, 2024 ("Rules") pursuant to Section 46 of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999. ...

In a milestone initiative to advance the digital infrastructure in the country, and with a view to increase the transparency of digital-based government functions, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology ("MeitY") of the Government of India launched the Vishvasya-Blockchain Technology Stack. ...