Keeping Pace with Legal Change
The Delhi High Court ruled AWS cloud payments are service charges, not royalty, clarifying that users gain no rights over equipment or software. This decision removes withholding tax uncertainty under the Income Tax Act and DTAA, boosting greater cloud adoption.
Kushmanda Power sued Ola Electric for adopting the “Bharat Cell” name for its 4680-format batteries, alleging trademark infringement and passing off. Lacking registered marks, the Delhi High Court has promptly referred the dispute to mediation to seek an amicable resolution.
Justice Yashwant Varma faces an impeachment motion after an in-house Supreme Court inquiry found unexplained cash at his residence. With the Chief Justice recommending removal and the Modi government pushing the process, this rare move tests judicial independence and accountability.
The Newslaundry vs. Abhijit Iyer-Mitra defamation case highlights tensions between freedom of speech and protection of reputation. Nine women journalists allege that Mitra’s online remarks were defamatory, sparking legal action and debate over civil discourse and constitutional rights.
As soon as the CLAT results were announced, students discovered that several Logical Reasoning questions were flawed. The ambiguity of certain puzzles and the lack of clear premises led many to believe their scores were unfairly affected. Within hours, petitions began pouring into high courts in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and other cities. Candidates demanded the removal of disputed questions, correction of answer keys, and reissuance of merit lists. The urgency of admission deadlines heightened the pressure on courts to act quickly. This immediate legal response underscored the high stakes of the exam and the depth of nationwide frustration.
The problem of service charges at Indian restaurants exists in a confused space between legal guidelines, industry practices, and the rights of consumers. Though restaurants have the prerogative to add service charges, they need to ensure openness and get implicit permission from patrons by making clear disclosures in advance. Consumers, for their part, need to be alert and exercise their rights to inquire and contest any hidden charges. As this issue remains ongoing, it highlights the necessity of proper communication and mutual understanding between hospitality service providers and customers.
On March 14, 2025, a fire at Justice Yashwant Varma’s Delhi residence revealed burnt currency notes, prompting a Supreme Court inquiry. The CJI formed a three-member panel to investigate, amid Varma’s denial and past links to the 2018 Simbhaoli Sugar Mill fraud. His transfer to Allahabad High Court remains independent.
