Insights
The Supreme Court of India has taken another significant step towards strengthening India's commercial dispute-resolution infrastructure by seeking updated, nationwide data on the volume and growth of commercial litigation. The Court is examining whether the existing number of Commercial Courts, Commercial Appellate Benches and related infrastructure is sufficient to deal with the country's commercial litigation burden, or whether additional courts and benches are required. The proceedings arise from a long-pending petition filed by the Indian Commercial and Arbitration Bar Association (ICABA) seeking effective and time-bound implementation of the Commercial Courts Act, 2015. The petition raises concerns regarding inadequate judicial infrastructure, insufficient Commercial Courts and Appellate Benches, and delays in resolving commercial disputes.
In today's increasingly complex corporate environment, financial misconduct can be concealed through sophisticated accounting structures, layered transactions, related-party arrangements, digital manipulation and falsification of corporate records. Corporate fraud may involve diversion of funds, misappropriation of assets, fraudulent financial reporting, procurement irregularities, fictitious transactions, bribery, money laundering and manipulation of books of accounts. As businesses become increasingly dependent upon digital financial systems and interconnected commercial networks, conventional financial audits alone may not always be sufficient to identify the nature, extent and consequences of suspected misconduct.
The Allahabad High Court has held that appearance through Video Conferencing (VC) is not a fundamental or absolute right of a litigant, but a facility intended to provide convenience and expedite adjudication, the use of which remains subject to the discretion of the Court. In a significant judgment concerning the conduct of a petitioner-in-person, a Bench comprising Justice Saurabh Shyam Shamshery observed that where a Court specifically directs a litigant to appear physically, the direction must ordinarily be complied with and cannot be avoided merely by asserting a preference for virtual appearance.
In today's increasingly competitive business landscape, acquisitions have become one of the most effective strategies for achieving market expansion, technological advancement, operational integration and long-term commercial growth. Businesses frequently pursue acquisitions to strengthen market presence, diversify product portfolios, acquire strategic assets, access intellectual property, expand into new jurisdictions or consolidate operations. However, while acquisitions present significant commercial opportunities, they also expose acquiring entities to substantial regulatory, financial and legal risks. Failure to identify and manage these risks at the pre-transaction stage can result in regulatory investigations, contractual disputes, financial liabilities, post-closing litigation and significant erosion of transaction value.
The Bombay High Court's judgment in State of Goa v. Tarun Tejpal marks one of the most significant developments in India's criminal jurisprudence on sexual offences. In a landmark decision delivered on 6 August 2026, the Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court overturned the 2021 acquittal of former Tehelka Editor-in-Chief Tarun Tejpal, convicted him for rape, and delivered an exhaustive judgment that fundamentally challenges long-standing stereotypes surrounding the conduct of survivors of sexual assault.
The Supreme Court of India is currently examining a significant constitutional and electoral law issue that could have a lasting impact on the conduct of bye-elections across the country. In Election Commission of India v. Sughosh Joshi & Anr., the Court is called upon to interpret Section 151A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (RP Act) a provision that mandates the Election Commission of India (ECI) to fill vacancies in Parliament and State Legislatures through bye-elections within six months.
In a significant judgment strengthening India's environmental governance framework, the Supreme Court has directed the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) to formulate comprehensive guidelines for the assessment, imposition, and recovery of environmental compensation under the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026.
In a significant humanitarian intervention, the Supreme Court of India has directed the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to urgently utilize diplomatic channels to trace an Indian seafarer who went missing after a drone attack on a cargo vessel in the Black Sea near Ukraine. The case highlights the increasing dangers faced by commercial seafarers operating in conflict-affected maritime regions and underscores the constitutional responsibility of the Indian government to protect its citizens abroad.
