April 23, 2025
India
- Tax Law Clarifications and Amendments The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) clarified that the Principal Purpose Test (PPT) under India’s tax treaties applies prospectively and does not affect grandfathered provisions in treaties with Cyprus, Mauritius, and Singapore. The Finance Bill 2025, passed by the Lok Sabha, abolishes the 6% equalization levy on online advertisement services from April 1, 2025, and introduces changes to block assessment, IFSC compliance, and presumptive taxation for non-residents in electronics manufacturing. These amendments impact digital businesses, foreign investors, and technology service providers. Read more.
Major Supreme Court Rulings:
- Death sentence commuted to life imprisonment citing the convict’s mental health and good conduct (Source: Live Law).
- High Courts must ensure compliance with Section 313 CrPC (now Section 351 BNSS) to prevent wrongful acquittals (Source: Verdictum).
- Clarification on the interplay between the Copyright Act and the Designs Act, impacting industrial design protection (Source: SCC Online).
- Hospital license must be suspended if involved in newborn trafficking, strengthening child protection (Source: 24law.in).
- Dismissal of a writ petition against e-tendering in a Mumbai redevelopment project, affirming housing authority autonomy (Source: Verdictum).
United States
- Delay in DOL Fiduciary Rule Litigation The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) secured a 60-day extension from the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals to respond to challenges against its 2024 Retirement Security Rule. The cases—American Council of Life Insurers v. DOL and Federation of Americans for Consumer Choice v. DOL—were consolidated, with the DOL now required to reply by June 16, 2025. The rule, finalized under the Biden administration, faces industry opposition over its impact on retirement plan fiduciaries and the insurance sector. The litigation’s outcome could reshape compliance obligations for financial advisors and insurers. Read more.
Europe (UK)
- Major Employment Law Changes Effective April 2025 The UK’s Employment Rights Bill has begun implementation, introducing significant changes:
Asia (Other than India)
- No significant new legal developments reported today.
To get “Legal updates” on whatsApp, join https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb5OsTE3rZZXjs3J3e1R or on Telegram: https://t.me/legalupdate1
For insights on AI trends and their impact, join the channel “FutureAI” on Telegram at https://t.me/joinfutureai or on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb5XsmLKwqSP7rZ3WS35.