King, Stubb & Kasiva

By Aditya Bhattacharya, Partner & Akriti Sharma, Trainee Associate This article critically examines the recent press release by the Ministry of Finance regarding the crackdown on bogus claims of deduction and exemption by the Income Tax Department. While the department aims to prevent tax evasion and strengthen compliance, the Press Release raises several legal and procedural concerns. This article seeks to address several key gaps in the Press Release, as it lacks clarity in its language and intent. Lastly, the article aims to highlight that a more balanced and transparent approach is required to ensure compliance without compromising the rights of the taxpayers.

The global trade system is undergoing a significant transformation. The U.S. President has sent formal letters to more than 20 countries alerting them of the tariff rates applicable as of August 1, 2025. While nations like China, Mexico, Canada, Bangladesh, and Vietnam are preparing for higher tariffs on their exports to the U.S, one country has so far remained off the list- India. In the absence of a tariff notification from the U.S, India finds itself in an advantageous position that could give Indian exporters a significant competitive edge, particularly in key sectors such as pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronics, and seafood, thereby making Indian goods relatively cheaper and more attractive in the US market. The U.S. remains a crucial destination for many of India’s high-value and labour-intensive exports. Between 2022- 2024, India’s exports to the U.S. were primarily dominated by high-value sectors, including electrical machinery (HS 85), pharmaceuticals (HS 30), precious stones and metals (HS 71), and mechanical appliances (HS 84). Collectively, these sectors accounted for 43.5% of India’s total exports to the U.S.

Aditya Bhattacharya and Akriti Sharma The modern vehicles today are heavily relied on rare earth magnets as they play a crucial role in their functioning. There are 17 rare earth elements in the Lanthanide series of metals in the periodic table and rare earth magnets are the strongest permanent magnets made from one of these 17 rare earth elements.  Neodymium (Nd-Fe-B) and Samarium Cobalt (SmCo) are the two most common rare earth magnets. They differ from the regular magnets mainly composed of Ferrite, a ceramic material composed mainly of iron (III) oxide.

ESG disclosure frameworks convergence is a business accountability tipping point. As the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) leads global convergence, the ultimate question persists: Will this rush toward global convergence increase sustainability practice or miss important regional and sectoral concerns?

The real estate sector in India has long been a cornerstone of the country's economic growth, contributing significantly to GDP and employment.

King Stubb & Kasiva is extremely proud to announce the addition of two distinguished legal professionals, Adnan Siddiqui and Nivedita Bhardwaj, as Partners.

Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) have become crucial mechanisms for directing investments into emerging sectors such as startups, infrastructure, and private equity.

This Article discusses the existing Indian fintech ecosystem and its growing concerns that led the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to issue Guidelines on Digital Lending (Guidelines) in September 2022[1] to bring the burgeoning segment under proper regulation.

Introduction: India’s defence and aerospace sectors have emerged as critical areas of focus under the Make in India initiative,

Introduction India's national security environment, shaped by its strategic geography and complex geopolitical relations, necessitates a vigorous defence mechanism.

The vibrant world of intellectual property (IP) thrives on collaboration. Licensing agreements act as gateways, allowing companies to unlock the value of their creations—patented technologies, copyrighted works, or trademarks—by granting permission to others to use them.

The recent order dated 22nd March 2024[1] (hereinafter referred to as “Judgement”) passed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in the case titled “Bloomberg Television Production Services India Private Limited & Ors. vs. Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited”,

Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) is becoming a prevalent technology in India with widespread application in industries such as healthcare, banking, transportation, etc. However, as AI is increasingly used in decision-making, the possibility of AI bias is a growing concern. This transpires when AI algorithms produce systematically biased findings towards specific groups or individuals, potentially impacting fairness and discrimination more particularly in employment, lending, and criminal justice. As AI’s impact on disadvantaged groups could be catastrophic, it is essential to understand legal issues and create frameworks to address them in order to nip the discrimination in the bud. This article attempts to explore such legal issues and address the potential remedies to mitigate the impact of AI bias on fairness and discrimination in India.

The Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) is a crucial legislation in India aimed at preventing money laundering and terrorist financing. The PMLA mandates financial institutions, banking companies, and intermediaries to maintain records of their client’s transactions and conduct due diligence to prevent money laundering. On 7th March 2023, the Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue, Government of India introduced the Prevention of Money Laundering (Maintenance of Records) Amendment Rules, 2023[1], to enhance the existing rules and regulations on client due diligence and record keeping.

While Artificial intelligence (“AI”) has the potential to dramatically transform numerous aspects of Indian society, ranging from healthcare, education, and law enforcement to transportation and agriculture, there are numerous ethical challenges and implications that its use throws up, which need to be carefully considered and addressed. AI uses algorithms to execute jobs that would normally necessitate human decision-making, learning skills, expertise, and other forms of intelligence and mimic human intelligence and behavior. Here we try to analyze the usage of AI in the Indian legal system and its implications.

“Will” refers to a legal document or declaration that a person during his lifetime makes in order to plan the distribution of his assets and properties in a way he wants. Writing a will as an instrument enables the heirs and survivors of the deceased to inherit the property in the way the deceased wanted. Wills in India help complex family structures divide the property amicably without disputes and the need for litigation. Wills in India are legal documents and have no such strict requirement of a set format. Writing a will can even be done on plain paper without registration or even a handwritten document can be termed as a will.

A Special Economic Zone (SEZ) refers to an allocated and demarcated geographical area wherein the government has taken steps to liberalize the mercantile, business, and trade laws in order to encourage business activity and separate it from different parts of the country.

India’s fast expanding economy and democratically-run government that has accepted reforms has led to institutional investors investing in India. While venture debt funding is a well-known idea in Silicon Valley, it has only lately emerged as a practical choice for startup businesses in India and currently a rise in the Venture debt financing in India is observed. A financier will make a direct loan of funds to a startup company in need of growth capital.

India has a well-established legal metrology framework that regulates the measurements and weights of products sold in the country. The Legal Metrology Act, 2009, defines Legal Metrology under section 2(g) “as that part of metrology which treats units of weighment and measurement, methods of weighment and measurement and weighing and measuring instruments, in relation to the mandatory technical and legal requirements which have the object of ensuring public guarantee from the point of view of security and accuracy of the weighments and measurements;” and the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011, are the primary legislations that govern legal metrology in India. To ensure compliance with Indian Legal Metrology Laws.

Virtual currencies have always been tightly restricted, if not outright prohibited, in India. The Reserve Bank of India (“RBI”) has consistently opposed the use of “private virtual currencies” due to their uncontrollability. Illicit black-market transactions and shadow economies are feasible because the RBI has no control over who or how much cryptocurrency is transported where. However, the benefits of cryptocurrency outnumber the traditional currency, the RBI also intends to maximize these benefits, particularly in the current economic situation, where digital payments are growing more common.

A commercial lease agreement (“Agreement”) is an instrument and a contract executed between the owner (“Lessor”) of an immovable property (“Property”) for lease and the entity/individual (“Lessee”) desirous to lease (acquire possession) the Property for commercial purposes. This Agreement records the terms and conditions which bind the parties to the transaction and are mutually agreed upon between them. Usually, such an Agreement is formulated by the Lessor and therefore, may stand one-sided and against the interests and protection of the Lessee. A Lessee is recommended to always peruse the terms and conditions of the Agreement prior to its execution, and must be aware of every clause and provision, and its interpretation. It is advisable that the Lessee may consult with lawyers and advocates from the real estate domain, to have a thorough interpretation and knowledge of the terms and conditions outlined in the Agreement to safeguard their interests and enjoy the possession of the Property without any demur and/or issues for the period of the term of the Agreement.

Large corporations around the globe such as Twitter, Meta, Amazon etc., are reported to have laid off employees for various reasons and workforce everywhere is going through a phase of uncertainty, and India is no different. In common parlance, ‘lay-off’ is generally referred to reduction in workforce or downsizing.