India

Hindustan Times | English | News | July 2, 2025 | Regulation

On July 1, 2024, India implemented three new criminal laws—Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Saksha Adhiniyam (BSA)—replacing the British-era Indian Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Code, and Indian Evidence Act after more than 150 years. These laws introduced significant reforms such as allowing complaints to be filed anywhere, online complaint registration, electronic summons, mandatory videography of crime scenes for serious crimes, harsher punishments for gang rape including death penalty for victims under 12, recognition of new crimes like mob lynching, and trial in absentia for fugitive criminals. Several archaic provisions, including those criminalizing homosexuality, adultery, attempt to commit suicide, and sedition, have been repealed.

In the first year, police registered around 3.5 million FIRs under the BNS, close to pre-implementation levels, although data from some states and union territories remain unavailable. The Ministry of Home Affairs reported substantial training efforts, with over 860,000 police officers and thousands of prison, prosecution, forensic, and judicial officers trained nationwide. To support forensic evidence collection, 2,649 forensic professionals were hired on contract to supplement the existing 4,734 filled positions out of 10,565 sanctioned posts in state forensic science laboratories (FSLs). Central government funding exceeding 600 crore INR has been allocated for upgrading forensic capabilities, mobile forensic vans, and DNA analysis enhancements.

Technological advancements feature prominently in the new system, with digital evidence storage via platforms like DigiLocker and e-Sakshya rules notified in 11 states and UTs. Chandigarh police, the first to fully implement the new processes, reported a 91.1% conviction rate with swift and secure handling of cases leveraging digital tools that facilitate virtual proceedings and secure chain of custody via QR codes. Despite progress, infrastructure gaps remain a challenge in many regions, particularly outside Tier 1 cities, potentially delaying full nationwide implementation for another one to two years. Officials and legal experts emphasize the need for continued development of technical infrastructure to fully realize the reforms introduced by these new laws.

S.S. Rana & Co. | English | AcademicThink | July 2, 2025 | UndeterminedLegal Exposure

Several significant developments in corporate laws and intellectual property were noted throughout 2024 and 2025. Kazakhstan now requires an individual fee under the Madrid Protocol as of June 12, 2025. The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) issued an advisory against the use of AI models on April 4, 2025. The Indian Patent Office (CGPDTM) headquarters was relocated from Mumbai to New Delhi on March 3, 2025.

Draft rules and initiatives include the "One Nation, One Time" Draft Legal Metrology (IST) Rules announced on January 29, 2025, and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) announced the creation of 200 technical posts to strengthen intellectual property rights on January 20, 2025. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) introduced Draft Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025, for public consultation on January 6, 2025.

Additional updates include the scheduled launch of EUIPO SME Funds in February 2025, a US patent office (USPTO) trademark fee increase effective January 2025 with a prior filing discount, and Myanmar issuing its first batch of trademark registration certificates in December 2024. The CGPDTM also introduced new miscellaneous trademark forms in late November 2024. There have been ongoing concerns about IP application fraud and the impact of delays in releasing the Digital Personal Data Protection Rules on business operations.

Livemint | English | News | July 2, 2025 | UndeterminedSupply Chain Issues

Sona Comstar, India's largest importer of rare earth magnets, is set to begin domestic production of these components used in electric vehicles (EVs). This initiative supports India's government push to boost local manufacturing and reduce dependence on China, which currently controls about 90% of the global rare earth magnet supply. Recent Chinese export restrictions triggered by US tariffs have intensified the search for alternative sources worldwide.

India, with the world's third-largest car market and fifth-largest rare earth reserves, is launching a program to incentivize local magnet production. Sona Comstar, based in Gurgaon, is the first Indian company to announce plans following this government initiative. The company imported roughly 120 metric tonnes of magnets from China last financial year and plans to ramp up local production to reduce reliance on imports, particularly given its significant revenue growth to over $400 million in the past five years.

While mining and processing rare earths domestically will take years, starting local magnet manufacturing is seen as an immediate step. Sona Comstar supplies major automakers like Tesla and Stellantis and had planned to import 200 tonnes of magnets this year to meet growing EV demand, which accounts for about one-third of its revenue. The company's revenue is geographically diverse, with 40% from the US, followed by India and Europe, and aims to expand into China, Japan, and South Korea.

The company recently faced uncertainty after the sudden death of Chairman Sunjay Kapur in June, which affected its stock price. Jeffrey Mark Overly has been appointed as the new chairman, with CEO Vivek Vikram Singh emphasizing the strength of the professional management team and affirming that the company's strategic direction will continue unchanged.