SEBI Cracks down on Anchor Trading: Declares CNBC Anchor’s Conduct as Abuse of Market Privilege

This essay examines where preventive law has overreached: in compliance frameworks divorced from the actual causes of contraventions, in the systematic reversal of the burden of proof, and most acutely, in the routine deployment of provisional attachment as a pre-adjudicatory punishment. The law designed to address the fear of harm has itself become an object of fear. Preventive law has emerged as the legislature's response to the complexity, scale, and pace of modern business activity and, in jurisdictions like India, as a scaffolding for laws that lack organic social consensus.

The Supreme Court, in Shivappa Reddy v. S. Srinivasan, has reaffirmed that partners retiring from a firm must strictly comply with statutory requirements under the Partnership Act to escape liability under the Negotiable Instruments Act. The Court set aside a High Court order quashing proceedings and emphasised that non-compliance with Section 72 obligations leaves retired partners exposed to criminal liability for dishonoured cheques.

The RBI has released the Draft Co-Lending Arrangements Directions, 2025, proposing a unified, market-enabling framework for regulated entities. The draft aims to streamline risk-sharing, pricing, and borrower protections across digital and traditional lending partnerships while replacing fragmented earlier guidelines. This explainer highlights key provisions, compliance expectations, and systemic implications.

The RBI has issued draft directions to regulate Non-Fund Based Credit Facilities such as guarantees, letters of credit, and partial credit enhancements. This write-up provides a detailed overview of the framework, its applicability to banks and NBFCs, the proposed exposure caps, and disclosure requirements, while highlighting the shift towards electronic guarantees and risk-based credit appraisals.

The RBI has released its draft 2025 Directions on lending against gold collateral, proposing a unified, principle-based framework for all regulated entities. These Directions aim to streamline prudential norms, standardise conduct practices, and strengthen consumer protection, while ensuring fair treatment and systemic stability in gold-backed credit markets.

the US Supreme Court has overruled the four-decade-old Chevron doctrine, reasserting that courts—not agencies—hold the ultimate authority to interpret ambiguous statutes. This decision reshapes administrative law, restoring judicial independence under Article III of the US Constitution and carrying persuasive relevance for jurisdictions like India that value a strict separation of powers.

SEBI’s 2025 amendments to the LODR Regulations introduce a new governance framework for High-Value Debt Listed Entities (HVDLEs) with ₹1,000 crore+ in listed NCDs. These norms align debt entities with equity governance standards, mandating board independence, committee oversight, and compliance timelines. This post unpacks key obligations, implications, and what debt-heavy issuers must do to remain compliant.

The RBI’s April 2025 Statement outlines key draft measures for co-lending expansion, stressed asset securitisation, harmonised gold loan norms, and UPI limit rationalisation. It further proposes a ‘theme-neutral’ fintech sandbox to foster continuous innovation. These reforms reflect the RBI’s proactive approach to market-based regulation, financial inclusion, and systemic resilience through stakeholder-driven policy development.

The Supreme Court has quashed a cheque bounce complaint under Section 138 of the NI Act, citing deliberate suppression of critical defence documents by the complainant. The judgment reinforces that criminal prosecution cannot proceed where procedural fairness is compromised. This decision underscores the duty of complainants to disclose all material facts when initiating criminal process.

The Central Government has revised the investment and turnover thresholds for classifying Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises under the MSME Act, effective from 1 April 2025. The updated limits aim to broaden MSME coverage and enhance access to statutory benefits for a wider base of enterprises, subject to timely Udyam re-registration.

The Delhi High Court, in Christian James Michel v. Directorate of Enforcement, granted bail under PMLA on grounds of prolonged undertrial incarceration. The judgment highlights the constitutional imperative under Article 21 and harmonises it with the stringent bail provisions of Section 45 PMLA, reinforcing the jurisprudence against indefinite pre-trial detention in economic offences.

The SAT’s ruling in CapitalVia Global Research Ltd. v. SEBI offers valuable guidance on regulatory compliance for investment advisers under the SEBI framework. While upholding nine out of thirteen charges—including KYC failures, risk profiling lapses, and misleading disclosures—the Tribunal reduced the penalty from ₹1 crore to ₹70 lakhs, reaffirming the importance of proportionality in enforcement and the fiduciary obligations of advisory firms.

The Appellate Tribunal under SAFEMA held that a mere agreement to sell, unsupported by a registered sale deed or actual possession, does not constitute a benami transaction under section 2(9)(A) of the Benami Act. In setting aside the provisional attachment, the Tribunal reaffirmed settled law that partial payments and unproven cash transfers do not suffice to trigger Benami Act consequences.

In K.S. Mehta v. Morgan Securities, the Supreme Court decisively addressed the vicarious liability of non-executive directors under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881. Reinforcing strict construction principles, the Court quashed criminal proceedings against directors lacking active involvement, setting a clear precedent on the necessity of specific allegations for liability under Section 141.

SEBI’s 2025 amendment to the Insider Trading Regulations expands the definition of Unpublished Price Sensitive Information (UPSI), introduces new disclosure triggers, and streamlines compliance with structured data protocols. This regulatory update signals a decisive shift toward pre-emptive corporate transparency and robust market integrity safeguards.

The IFSCA has issued a comprehensive framework on cyber security and resilience for regulated entities operating in IFSC. These guidelines mandate robust governance, data protection, IT asset management, and incident reporting measures to counter escalating cyber threats. Regulated entities must adopt structured protocols, undergo annual audits, and manage third-party risk to ensure financial system stability.

CCI’s 2025 regulations overhaul penalty recovery with expanded scope, third-party liability, and legal heir accountability.

Did the Supreme Court overlook BNSS’s deemed sanction provision? This analysis dissects the ruling's impact on public servant prosecutions.

An in-depth analysis of the EU's AI Act—its key provisions, risk-based approach, and global implications for AI governance.

In a pivotal ruling, the Delhi High Court has reaffirmed that borrowers are entitled to a personal hearing before their accounts are classified as fraud under the RBI Master Directions. Drawing upon the Supreme Court’s decision in SBI v. Rajesh Agarwal, the Court reinforced that procedural fairness and natural justice demand more than just written representation when civil consequences are involved.

RBI launches .bank.in for banks and plans .fin.in for NBFCs, enhancing cybersecurity and safeguarding users from financial fraud.

SEBI enforces stricter regulations on market associations, barring unauthorised investment advisory and misleading return claims.

RBI introduces a revised framework for penalties & compounding under the PSS Act, ensuring fair enforcement & compliance clarity.

In a significant ruling under the Benami Act, the SAFEMA Appellate Tribunal quashed a provisional attachment order where no sale deed was executed and ownership never transferred. The case reinforces that partial payment and mere intent to purchase do not amount to a benami transaction under s. 2(9)(A), absent legal title or possession.

A pivotal Delhi HC ruling underscores that prolonged adjudication delays in customs cases breach the principles of natural justice.

The SC clarifies that minor contradictions in witness testimony do not undermine the prosecution's case if overall evidence is reliable.

The Supreme Court clarifies the validity of sanction orders under the Prevention of Corruption Act and their impact on justice and fairness.

RBI guidelines streamline credit reporting, enhancing transparency, data accuracy, and grievance redressal for borrowers and institutions.

Explore the role of ethics in legal advocacy, addressing key challenges lawyers face and why integrity is vital for justice and success.

Explore the Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025, with practical examples to understand their impact on businesses and daily life.