Cooperative fund misappropriation alleged through fabricated entries and diversion of government deposits for personal use.
Cooperative funds management was alleged to have been manipulated through fabricated day-book entries and diversion of government deposits by a former secretary of a service co-operative society. The allegations concern misappropriation of funds entrusted during his tenure, where the account records were shown as balanced while the corresponding cash was not deposited into the cooperative bank. The funds were stated to have been meant for agricultural and cooperative development schemes and were allegedly diverted for personal use.

Corporate Social Responsibility through zero coupon zero principal instruments enables regulated funding for public welfare projects on social stock exchange.
Corporate Social Responsibility has been expanded to include subscription to zero coupon zero principal instruments on the Social Stock Exchange, with Schedule VII widened to cover this activity. The CSR Policy Rules, 2014 now define Not for Profit Organization and Zero Coupon Zero Principal Instrument and prescribe conditions for implementation through such instruments under Rule 4A. The framework assigns project execution and evaluation to the NPO, requires issuance in accordance with Securities and Exchange Board of India regulations, and caps company expenditure on such instruments at ten per cent of annual CSR spend.

Securities market fraud and disclosure violations: Supreme Court sets aside disgorgement while sustaining penalty for position-limit breach
The Supreme Court partly allowed the appeal in SEBI proceedings concerning trading in Reliance Petroleum Ltd. shares and set aside the finding of fraud under the PFUTP Regulations as well as the disgorgement order. It nevertheless upheld the penalty linked to violation of disclosure requirements under the SEBI circular on position limits. The Court also directed refund of the amount deposited in the Investor Protection Fund under an earlier interim order.

Cooling-off period for retired judges rejected as unnecessary where capable adjudicators are needed in tribunals and other bodies.
Post-retirement appointments of judges to tribunals and other government bodies remain a contested policy issue, with the Law Minister stating that there is no justification for a mandatory cooling-off period for retired judges who are mentally sound, capable and judged to have served well. The remarks emphasise the need for experienced adjudicators in vacancy-ridden institutions such as the NCLT and NCLAT, and extend to other assignments including the NHRC, Lokpal, Law Commission, Press Council of India, and various committees and commissions.

IBC moratorium and cheque bounce prosecutions raised for larger bench consideration on criminal and compensatory aspects.
The Supreme Court referred to a three-judge Bench the question whether the IBC moratorium applies to cheque bounce proceedings under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act during insolvency proceedings. The reference also concerns whether the moratorium stays the entire prosecution or only the compensatory aspect, and whether directors or other vicariously liable persons can claim the same protection in cases of personal insolvency. The article notes the competing views on the criminal character of cheque dishonour proceedings and the recovery-related effect of the compensatory component.

Voter identity document allegations surface after cards were reportedly recovered from a party office and examined by police.
Allegations arose that a large number of voter identity documents, Aadhaar cards and ration cards were recovered from a local political party office in Kolkata's Tangra area. Police said nearly 300 documents were found in an almirah at the premises, while residents and political workers claimed the papers had been kept there to prevent people from exercising their franchise. Police said no formal complaint had yet been lodged, though the matter was under examination.

Election administration and commercial regulation dominate Supreme Court updates on voter rolls, GST, tribunal practice, and online gaming.
Election administration and electoral procedure featured prominently, with the Supreme Court upholding the Election Commission's power to conduct a Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls and leaving to the Commission a plea to modify VVPAT guidelines. The Court also said the ongoing trial in the 2023 Manipur ethnic violence should be expedited, and it addressed online hearings, language policy, transgender law challenges, retrospective GST on online gaming, tribunal practice restrictions, and the Amazon-Future Group dispute.

Electoral roll verification framework upheld as Aadhaar remains only an identity document, not proof of citizenship.
The Supreme Court examined the Election Commission's documentation framework for the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and its authority to classify documents by evidentiary value. It recognised electoral roll preparation as a constitutional function requiring verification of residence, identity and eligibility, and said the Commission may design reasonable procedures suited to the survey. Aadhaar is not proof of citizenship or domicile, though it may be used for limited identity verification, and ration cards may be excluded for evidentiary unreliability.

Independence of the judiciary guides the bar on former tribunal members practising before the same tribunal system.
Retired judicial and technical members of the National Company Law Tribunal and the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal are prohibited from appearing, acting, pleading, or otherwise practising as advocates or consultants before those tribunals. The challenge concerned a regulation imposing a complete bar on such practice by former tribunal members, with the petitioner contending that a cooling-off period should replace the prohibition.

Anti-trust challenge over Amazon's investment deal leads to setting aside of penalty and deal suspension orders.
Challenge to anti-trust action concerning Amazon's investment deal with Future Group. The Supreme Court set aside the NCLAT order that had rejected Amazon's appeal, and also set aside the Competition Commission of India's order imposing a penalty and suspending the deal. The Court further directed refund of any amount deposited or recovered from Amazon pursuant to the impugned orders within eight weeks.

Perpetual lease termination and due process concerns arise over proposed possession of Delhi Gymkhana Club premises.
Termination of the Delhi Gymkhana Club's perpetual lease and the proposed handover of the premises were challenged on the ground that the stated defence-infrastructure rationale lacked genuine public purpose, that the action was contrary to Article 300A, and that compensation had not been addressed. The Centre stated that any eviction would be undertaken only in accordance with law and after due notice, with compensation possibly by money or alternative land. In view of that statement and the absence of material showing eviction proceedings, no interim directions were considered necessary at that stage.

Perpetual lease termination and eviction process challenged as the High Court declines interim restraint pending due process assurances.
Centre's termination of Delhi Gymkhana Club's perpetual lease and proposed eviction were challenged as lacking genuine public purpose and as threatening forced dispossession. The High Court, noting the government's assurance that possession would not be taken by force and that any eviction would follow due process and prior notice, refused interim restraint at that stage, issued summons, and deferred issues including locus, prior notice and the legality of the lease termination.

Pre-packaged insolvency resolution process listing approval marks a milestone in Lord's Mark Industries' transformation and market debut.
Lord's Mark Industries Ltd. received stock exchange listing approval under the IBC scheme of Pre-Packaged Insolvency Resolution Process (PPIRP), described as the first such approval for a company in India. The approval is linked to the company's planned public market debut and broader transformation strategy. The company says the milestone follows strategic rebuilding and institutional strengthening, and supports its next phase of expansion in healthcare, renewable energy, infrastructure and advanced technologies, with emphasis on resilience, governance, innovation and long-term value creation.

SME capital market access gains focus as stakeholders promote compliance, due diligence and transparent listing pathways.
SME capital raising through the SME platform was promoted at a conclave in Guwahati, organised by BSE with ICSI, AIBI and Horizon Management Pvt Ltd and initiated by SEBI, to strengthen awareness among small and medium enterprises on accessing capital markets for growth. The initiative focused on enhancing capital market access and ease of capital formation for SMEs, particularly in the North-Eastern region, by familiarising enterprises with fundraising opportunities and the SME listing pathway. The discussions highlighted the SME IPO journey, including market readiness, regulatory compliance, due diligence and the role of intermediaries in supporting a transparent and trustworthy listing process.

Franchise expansion drives TGI Fridays' flagship launch in Connaught Place, strengthening premium urban dining presence in India.
TGI Fridays launched a new flagship restaurant at Connaught Place, New Delhi, as part of its broader India expansion strategy in the casual dining segment. The opening was undertaken by Bistro Hospitality Pvt. Ltd., the master franchisee for India, together with Feastary Hospitality LLP, its North India franchise partner, and was described as a step toward strengthening the brand's presence in premium urban markets.

Ground rent arrears and public land possession dispute shape Delhi Gymkhana Club's relocation plea and governance concerns.
Ground rent arrears and threatened resumption of public land possession have triggered a relocation request by the general committee overseeing Delhi Gymkhana Club. The committee asked the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and the L&DO not to disrupt the club's functioning and to protect the interests of members, employees and other stakeholders before any change in occupation is implemented. Club members opposed the proposed takeover, described it as selective and misleading, and urged governance reforms rather than closure.

Relocation of club and protection of employees remain central as Delhi Gymkhana seeks continuity pending takeover clarity.
The general committee overseeing Delhi Gymkhana Club urged the Central Government and the Land and Development Office not to disrupt the club's functioning until issues relating to proposed takeover, possible relocation and protection of employees are clarified. It requested consideration of an alternative plot for relocation if the takeover proceeds, while stressing that the interests of members, employees and other stakeholders should be protected before any operational change is implemented. The committee said it had improved administration, finances, procedures, litigation management and membership records after taking charge under an NCLT order.

Property rights challenge over Delhi Gymkhana Club premises alleges arbitrary takeover, forced eviction, and lack of due process.
Members and staff of the Delhi Gymkhana Club challenged the Centre's order directing handover of the club premises, alleging arbitrary takeover, forced eviction, and extinction of long-standing leasehold, associational, membership, and livelihood interests without due process. The pleas invoke Article 300A, legitimate expectation, and constitutional protections under Articles 14, 19(1)(g), and 21, while contending that the stated need for defence infrastructure and public security is vague and pretextual. The matter was mentioned for urgent hearing and listed for Tuesday.

Corruption and illegal commission racket allegations shape bail proceedings linked to a state-run corporation.
Bail proceedings concerned allegations of corruption and an illegal commission racket linked to the Chhattisgarh State Marketing Corporation Limited, where manpower agencies were allegedly forced to pay commissions for bill clearances through intermediaries. The prosecution case was registered by the Economic Offences Wing and Anti-Corruption Bureau under the IPC and the Prevention of Corruption Act. The High Court had declined bail, treating the matter as a deep-rooted corruption network involving public funds, and the Supreme Court sought the State's response on the bail plea.

Competition law challenge to state liquor procurement practices fails for lack of evidence of abuse of dominant position.
Competition law challenge to a state-owned liquor procurement and distribution agency was rejected for want of concrete evidence of anti-competitive conduct. The tribunal accepted that no prima facie case of abuse of dominant position was made out, including no demonstrated harm or loss from alleged unilateral pricing, tender conditions, delayed payments, additional charges, or preference for state-owned brands. It also held that the pricing clause and differential discount structure were commercially justified and did not, on their face, distort market competition or consumer choice.