Securities Markets Code, 2025: What Is New In the Government's Proposed Overhaul of Capital Markets Law

The Central government on Thursday introduced the Securities Markets Code, 2025 in the Lok Sabha, proposing a single, consolidated law to govern India's securities markets. The proposed bill repeals the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956, the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992, and the Depositories Act, 1996.Beyond consolidation, It also introduces introduces...

Consumer Commission Dismisses Complaint Againt Kotak Mahindra Bank Over Unauthorized Credit Card Transactions

The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Chandigarh, comprising Amrinder Singh Sidhu (President) and B.M. Sharma (Member), has dismissed a consumer complaint against Kotak Mahindra Bank, holding that the dispute concerning alleged unauthorised credit card transactions was premature, as the matter was still under investigation and had not been finally settled by the bank Facts of...

Kerala High Court Extends Stay On Cheating Case Against Nivin Pauly, Abrid Shine After Mediation Fails

The Kerala High Court today (December 18) extended the interim stay of proceedings against Malayalam film actor Nivin Pauly and director Abrid Shine, in a criminal case alleging commission of fraud of ₹1.9 crore.A criminal case was registered against Nivin and Abrid under Sections 406 (Punishment for Criminal breach of Trust) and 420 (Cheating) read with Section 34 (acts done by several...

Liberty To Bleed: Menstrual Leave Policy

The Government of Karnataka has recently issued a Government Order (G.O.) granting 12 days of menstrual leave per year to working women. The operative portion of the G.O. states that women employees aged 18 to 52 working in factories, shops and commercial establishments, plantations, beedi units, and motor transport undertakings are entitled to one paid leave day per month on account of menstruation. Bihar was the first state, introducing a long-standing policy in 1992 that grants two days of...

Kerala High Court Flags Crippling Lack Of Funds & Staff In State Ground Water Authority, Directs Chief Secretary To Fix Deficiencies

The Kerala High Court has recently (11 December) underscored that the State has a mandatory statutory obligation to ensure that the Kerala Ground Water Authority (KGWA) functions as an effective and independent regulator, and that failure to provide it with funds, staff and infrastructure defeats the very purpose of the Kerala Ground Water (Control and Regulation) Act, 2002A Division...

Court-Constituted Committees May Delegate Ancillary Tasks, Not Core Decision-making Functions: J&K High Court

The Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court on Tuesday (16 December) held the law prohibits the delegation of the essential decision-making responsibility and not the delegation of ancillary work.A Single Judge Bench of Justice Wasim Sadiq Nargal observed that once a specific mandate is entrusted to a Committee by judicial order, the law permits the adoption of all reasonable...

'Liberty Of Squadron Leader Serving Country At Stake': Jharkhand High Court Grants Anticipatory Bail To IAF Officer Booked In Cruelty FIR

The Jharkhand High Court on Tuesday (December 16) granted anticipatory bail to a Squadron Leader serving in the Indian Air Force accused of receiving dowry and inflicting cruelty upon his wife, noting that the circumstances were exceptional and peculiar where liberty of an officer serving the country was at stake. In doing so the court also noted that the petitioner was not absconding and...

At Least 45 Days Needed To Finalise Anti-Ragging Amendment Bill, State Tells Kerala High Court

The Kerala government on Wednesday (December 17) told the High Court that at least 45 days more would be needed to finalise the Kerala Prohibition of Ragging (Amendment) Bill, 2025.The Division Bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice C. Jayachandran was informed that a draft was vetted by the Law department with remarks on 15/12/2025 and it has now been returned to the...

Periyar Pollution: Centre Nod For Temporary Effluent Treatment Plant But Kerala High Court Flags Continued Contamination Of River

In a batch of petitions concerning pollution in Kerala's Periyar river, particularly its tributary Kuzhikandam thodu, the Central government on Thursday (18 December) informed the High Court that it has granted permission for establishment of an Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP).A Division Bench comprising Justice Devan Ramachandran and Justice M.B. Snehalatha has been contemplating steps...

Insolvency Cannot Be Withdrawn After Liquidation Begins: NCLAT Reaffirms

The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal at Chennai has reiterated that an insolvency case cannot be withdrawn once liquidation has begun, holding that the law allows withdrawal only during the resolution stage and not after a liquidation order is passed. A bench of Judicial Member Justice Sharad Kumar Sharma and Technical Member Jatindranath Swain dismissed an appeal on Wednesday , filed...

Bombay High Court Bars Sale of Cough Syrup Under 'CEFDON' Mark, Citing Similarity With 'CEDON'

The Bombay High Court has permanently barred an Ahmedabad-based drug company from selling a cough syrup under the name “CEFDON”, ruling that it is too similar to an existing and well-known brand, “CEDON.” In a judgment delivered on December 16, 2025, Justice Arif S Doctor ruled in favour of Blue Cross Laboratories Private Limited, which owns the registered trademark “CEDON.”...

Kerala High Court Stays Proceedings Against Hindu Aikya Vedi Leader KP Sasikala In Alleged Provocative Speech Case

The Kerala High Court recently stayed all further proceedings against Hindu Aikya Vedi leader K.P. Sasikala Teacher in a 2022 case alleging that she had delivered a provocative speech in Malappuram intended to a cause riot.The alleged incident took place in Kunnumpuram in Malappuram on 31st August, 2022. Later, on September 20, a crime was registered by the Malappuram Police alleging...