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Digital signatures enhance the security of e-documents in India’s digital ecosystem, safeguarding against forgery and identity theft. They are crucial for online transactions and are legally binding. Obtaining a Digital Signature Certificate involves verification, and misuse can be mitigated by maintaining control over the signature token. Rachana Rautray, Partner, JSA Advocates and Solicitors, explains that the first step is to preserve evidence. “People should immediately take screenshots, save emails, messages and other communications, and note down timestamps, sender details, links and any other information that may help establish that tampering or fraud has taken place,” she says. “If money has already been transferred because of the fraud, the affected person should immediately inform the bank or financial institution and request that the transaction be frozen or blocked. A formal complaint should also be filed with the local police,” she adds.  Read more

Municipalities are preparing to issue bonds following a 100 crore incentive for issuances over 1,000 crore, but await guidelines on fund deployment. Several corporations, including Ahmedabad and Brihanmumbai, are planning significant bond issues. The absence of a defined framework for fund usage raises concerns about the effectiveness and repayment of these funds. From a legal perspective, there is no correlation between the issuance and the incentive scheme as municipalities can issue bonds as a form of debt funding, said Anish Mashruwala, a partner at JSA Advocates and Solicitors.  Read more

India’s telecom operators are transforming into key players in the digital economy by leveraging verified consumer data. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, emphasizes consent, reshaping data monetization strategies. Telcos are building adtech platforms and focusing on trust and compliance to gain a competitive edge in a consent-driven data economy. India’s telecom operators are transforming into key players in the digital economy by leveraging verified consumer data. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, emphasizes consent, reshaping data monetization strategies. Telcos are building adtech platforms and focusing on trust and compliance to gain a competitive edge in a consent-driven data economy. India’s telecom operators are transforming into key players in the digital economy by leveraging verified consumer data. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, emphasizes consent, reshaping data monetization strategies. Telcos are building adtech platforms and focusing on trust and compliance to gain a competitive edge in a consent-driven data economy.  Read more

RBI’s clarification on indirect public funds may compel Tata Sons to remain in the upper layer of NBFCs, necessitating a public listing. Despite efforts to stay private, equity investments from group companies and pressure from the Shapoorji Pallonji Group complicate Tata Sons’ position. According to Pratish Kumar, partner at JSA Advocates & Solicitors, RBI has not upfront exempted equity investment from group companies from the meaning of access to ‘indirect public funds’.  Read more

India’s corporate legal expenses are rising, expected to hit ₹72,000 crore in FY26, driven by complex regulations and geopolitical risks. Companies are expanding legal teams and investing in compliance to manage high-stakes litigation and M&A activities. New laws and geopolitical tensions are increasing the demand for legal advisory services. “This approach is driven by the fact that the cost of non-compliance can be much higher than legal costs,” said Ashish Suman, partner at JSA Advocates & Solicitors. “Sanctions can affect a company’s operations across countries, while non-compliance with laws like data protection or labour rules can lead to penalties.”  Read more

India’s IT Ministry proposed stricter rules for AI-generated content, mandating continuous and clear visibility of labels. This move aims to enhance transparency and platform accountability but raises concerns about feasibility, costs for creators, and potential impacts on creative expression and user experience. Industry stakeholders are weighing the benefits of trust against implementation challenges. The evolving framework for labelling AI-generated content is set to reshape the digital ecosystem , with proposed amendments tightening compliance requirements even as industry voices flag concerns over feasibility and costs. Subjectivity is out and objective criteria has found favour,” said Sajai Singh, partner at JSA Advocates and Solicitors, adding that this could lead to prescriptive norms around font size, contrast and placement.  Read more

India’s newly notified online gaming rules may be framed as a “light-touch” regime for the sector, but legal experts say one consequence could be sharper scrutiny of the advertising ecosystem, including agencies, ad-tech intermediaries and even influencers endorsing gaming platforms. Rachana Rautray, Partner at JSA Advocates & Solicitors, said the framework creates what she described as a broader “liability architecture” that does not stop with operators. “The short answer is that the Act and Rules now create a liability architecture that does not stop at the operator. Rule 6(1)(d) allows the authority to issue directions to persons facilitating ads relating to online gamed and financial transactions or authorization of funds for any online game. This places ad distribution explicitly within the Authorities reach and not just ad creation. Considering that the Act in section 5 states aids, abets or induces, the jurisprudence suggests knowledge or intent. Accordingly, the buck truly stops at the entity in the supply chain that are agencies accepting briefs and clearing campaigns,” she said. Rautray added the rules could force a compliance architecture similar to other sensitive advertising categories.  Read more

Corporate India’s diversity efforts often overlook religion-based issues, with many companies lacking specific policies to address subtle discrimination. Clear guidelines and leadership accountability are essential to tackle religious bullying effectively and mitigate legal risks. Minu Dwivedi, Partner, JSA Advocates & Solicitors, says an employee who qualifies as a “worker” under the Industrial Relations Code can raise grievances before the Grievance Redressal Committee. If unresolved, they can proceed to conciliation and approach the Industrial Tribunal.  Read more

JSA is the sole adviser to consumer electronics retailer Sathya Agencies’ proposed IPO valued at up to INR6 billion (USD64 million). The offering comprises a fresh issue of shares worth up to INR3 billion and an offering of existing shares valued at up to INR3 billion. Sathya Agencies filed its draft red herring prospectus with the Securities and Exchange Board of India in April. “An important part of our role has been to support Sathya Agencies in strengthening its corporate governance framework to meet the rigorous standards expected of a listed company,” said Arka Mookerjee, Partner, JSA.  Read more

JSA and Khaitan & Co. have counselled on Singapore-headquartered Everstone Capital’s USD270 million investment in the drugmaker Apothecon Group, comprising India’s Apothecon Pharmaceuticals and US-based Navinta. DLA Piper, Troutman Pepper Locke and Brown & Connery also advised on the transaction. “It was a particularly engaging transaction given the various jurisdictions involved, and the counsel across jurisdictions (India, US, Mauritius). We have been involved in the transaction since its inception,” said Sidharrth Shankar, Partner, JSA Advocates & Solicitors.  Read more