Author: Legal Parivar

In a landmark ruling, the Madras High Court has declared that cryptocurrency qualifies as property under Indian law, affirming that digital assets can be owned, enjoyed, and even held in trust. The judgment, delivered by Justice N Anand Venkatesh, marks one of India’s most significant legal recognitions of crypto assets within the country’s legal framework. “There can be no doubt that cryptocurrency is property. It may not be tangible or legal tender, but it possesses the essential attributes of property — it can be enjoyed, possessed, and held in trust,” Justice Venkatesh said in his order. The court’s observation came…

Hindustan Unilever (HUL) is sharpening its focus on high-growth premium segments and volume expansion in its mass-market portfolio, as CEO and Managing Director Priya Nair steers India’s largest FMCG company toward what she calls “market maker” categories. The twin strategy aims to balance premiumisation with mass affordability, supported by soft commodity prices and recent GST cuts that have lowered prices on nearly 40% of HUL’s portfolio. Since taking charge in August 2025, Nair has pushed for fewer but bigger bets, zeroing in on emerging, niche demand spaces that can scale as consumer aspirations rise. However, analysts suggest that in a…

India witnessed a historic surge in new company registrations in September 2025, soaring 108% year-on-year to 23,113, according to data from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA). This marks the highest annual growth in at least five years, signaling renewed investor confidence amid robust macroeconomic fundamentals and positive global outlooks. The first half of FY26 recorded a 38.4% increase in company incorporations — the strongest pace in five years. Notably, April 2025 saw an all-time high of 23,776 company registrations, underscoring sustained entrepreneurial momentum. Officials attributed the rise to a combination of better-than-expected GDP growth of 7.8% in Q1 FY26,…

E-commerce unicorn Meesho, which is gearing up for its much-anticipated initial public offering (IPO) in the coming months, has significantly strengthened its margins over the past two years — largely driven by the rapid growth of its in-house logistics platform, Valmo. Launched in August 2022, Valmo’s share in Meesho’s total order deliveries has surged from less than 2% in FY23 to an impressive 62% during the April–June quarter of FY26, according to the company’s updated IPO prospectus. Solving the Value Retail Delivery Puzzle Unlike larger e-commerce giants that cater to premium product segments, Meesho’s biggest challenge has been to profitably…

The continuing US government shutdown is starting to impact Indian companies engaged in cross-border transactions, as limited staffing at key US agencies is delaying clearances and filings. Companies such as Infosys and Hindalco are experiencing procedural hold-ups as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) operate at reduced capacity. Infosys’ Rs 18,000-Crore Buyback Faces Timing Delays Infosys, which had announced a Rs 18,000-crore share buyback in early September, has yet to declare the record date for the tender offer. While shareholder approval and the SEC’s exemptive relief were obtained by…

A recent report by Genius HRTech (formerly Genius Consultants) highlights a significant wage gap between gig workers and permanent employees in India, even as festive season hiring ramps up. The study shows 47% of respondents believe gig workers earn less than permanent employees for the same roles, signaling a persistent challenge in the workforce. The survey included 1,550 professionals across industries, conducted from September 1–30, 2025. Respondents reported the following hourly pay differences for gig workers compared to permanent staff: Importance of Fair Pay and Skill Development R P Yadav, Chairman and Managing Director of Genius HRTech, emphasized the need…

Reliance Industries and Meta Platforms are set to jointly invest ₹855 crore in India’s artificial intelligence (AI) sector, a market projected to reach $20–22 billion by 2027. The investment will be made through Reliance Enterprise Intelligence Ltd (REIL), a newly formed company focused on AI services. Reliance, via its wholly-owned subsidiary Reliance Intelligence, holds a 70% stake in REIL, while Meta, through its subsidiary Facebook Overseas, owns the remaining 30%. REIL will focus on the development, marketing, and distribution of enterprise AI services, according to a statement by Reliance to stock exchanges. The joint venture was first announced by Reliance…

Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis AG is reportedly close to finalizing a deal to acquire US-based biotechnology firm Avidity Biosciences Inc., according to a Bloomberg report citing sources. The acquisition price is said to be over $70 per share, with the possibility of an announcement as soon as October 26, 2025 (US time), provided no last-minute issues arise. Representatives from both Novartis and Avidity did not immediately comment on the reports. The discussions between Novartis and Avidity have reportedly been ongoing since August 2025, as noted by the Financial Times. If completed, the deal would mark another addition to Novartis’s recent…

Mumbai witnessed an unexpected spell of heavy rainfall on October 26, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a Yellow Alert for Mumbai, Thane, and Palghar districts for today and tomorrow. Residents have been warned about isolated thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, moderate showers, and gusty winds reaching speeds of 40–50 km/h. The downpour comes at an unusual time of the year, marking an unseasonal wet spell in the city. The IMD has advised caution and urged people to avoid low-lying areas and remain alert to changing weather conditions. The rainfall is part of a wider weather system affecting the…

Bengaluru-based cloud kitchen operator Curefoods, which runs brands like EatFit, CakeZone, and Krispy Kreme, has received approval from capital markets regulator SEBI for its ₹800 crore initial public offering (IPO), according to sources familiar with the development. The IPO will consist of a fresh issue of shares as well as an offer-for-sale (OFS) of up to 4.85 crore equity shares, allowing several early-stage investors to partially or fully exit. Curefoods’ founder and CEO Ankit Nagori will not be selling any shares in the public offering. Who is selling shares in the IPO?Among the investors looking to offload stakes are Iron…