Deferred Prosecution Agreements: A Game-Theoretic Solution To India’s White Collar Crisis

India struggles with white-collar crimes that drain billions, wreck trust, and threaten jobs. Scandals like Satyam in 2009 and Punjab National Bank in 2018 show the damage which amount to 2-3% of GDP yearly and shaken markets. Courts, clogged with over 5 crore cases, can’t keep up, making traditional prosecutions slow and weak. This paper proposes Deferred Prosecution Agreements (DPAs) to solve this problem allowing companies admit their wrongs, pay penalties, and fix their ways to skip full trials. Using game theory, we craft a Hybrid DPA Framework tailored for India. We picture regulators and companies as players in a game where both can win. Regulators can offer deals or push for trials, while companies can come clean or hide their misdeeds, cooperation scores highest at 8.0, while fighting scores a measly 2.0. Nash equilibrium reveals why firms might dodge truth without DPAs, but fair deals, backed by ideas like Kalai-Smorodinsky and Nash bargaining, nudge them toward working together. Kaldor-Hicks logic proves DPAs help society by saving jobs while punishing wrongdoers. Using all of this analysis, we built our framework on six ideas namely stopping crime, encouraging honesty, protecting workers and investors, ensuring accountability, fitting diverse firms, and being open with the public. We draw on 24 global cases, like Siemens’ 2008 deal, HSBC’s 2012 agreement and other relevant cases. Lastly, we suggest a new way to ensure payments to victims and public tracking to rebuild trust. The model simplifies some payoffs and assumes rational players, which might miss local issues like corruption. This work puts up a strong case for ensuring deferred prosecution agreements in India and uses game theory as an analytical tool to cut through the noise and flow towards the signal of white-collar crimes. Continue reading Deferred Prosecution Agreements: A Game-Theoretic Solution To India’s White Collar Crisis

Stablecoins and Corporate Criminal Liability: Rethinking Responsibility in Cross-Border Financial Crimes

The rise of stablecoins has transformed the digital asset economy, enabling faster and cheaper cross-border transactions. However, their increasing use in white-collar crimes ranging from laundering ransomware proceeds to sanctions evasion raises pressing questions around accountability. Traditional doctrines of corporate criminal liability anchored in centralised structures and subjective mens rea, fall short when applied to decentralised systems. This essay explores the doctrinal gaps in corporate criminal liability as applied to stablecoin ecosystems, analyses regulatory responses across key jurisdictions (US, EU, UK and Asia-Pacific) and proposes a “chain-of-liability” model that shifts focus from intent to systemic compliance failures. The authors argue for the development of a consolidated legal regime in India to bridge fragmented oversight and align with global enforcement standards. Continue reading Stablecoins and Corporate Criminal Liability: Rethinking Responsibility in Cross-Border Financial Crimes

Control without Controllers: Forensic and Evidentiary Challenges in Regulating Phantom Boards in India

By: Mahi Agrawal INTRODUCTION Corporate fraud has evolved in sophistication over the past few decades, with perpetrators increasingly exploiting gaps in regulation and enforcement. Among the most troubling manifestations of this evolution is the emergence of “phantom boards,” a corporate structure that exist almost entirely on paper. Phantom boards are typically composed of dummy or nominee directors who hold titles and sign documents but wield … Continue reading Control without Controllers: Forensic and Evidentiary Challenges in Regulating Phantom Boards in India

A Case for Transferring Property to Deserving Allottees during Real-Estate CIRP: Refurbishing IBBI’s Proposal

This article examines a key proposal from the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India’s (IBBI) 2023 Discussion Paper on real estate insolvency: the transfer of completed units to deserving homebuyers during the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP). While recent regulatory amendments enhanced homebuyer protection, the IBBI withheld implementing Proposal 3, which allowed property transfer by resolution professionals to allottees who fulfilled their contractual obligations. The article explores the rationale behind this proposal, the IBBI’s concerns—including voting thresholds, structural safety, and residual claims—and addresses them through a restructured regulatory framework. A “Final Proposed Amendment” is suggested, introducing phase-wise voting, structural safety checks, and full claim settlement upon possession. This proposed solution aims to reconcile stakeholders’ interests, streamline resolution, and protect homebuyers from disadvantageous liquidation outcomes. Ultimately, the article argues for adopting this reform to uphold homebuyers’ rights and promote equitable resolution in real estate insolvencies. Continue reading A Case for Transferring Property to Deserving Allottees during Real-Estate CIRP: Refurbishing IBBI’s Proposal

From Right to Dissent to Success of the Resolution Process: Reinforcing Cramdown With Fairness and Equitability

In this article, the authors, explore the “Creditor-Friendly” framework in India, which has met trouble halfway due to a lack of consent over the resolution plans. The two-thirds majority of the CoC that passes a resolution plan disregards the opinions of the dissenting creditors, who get outvoted, and operational creditors, who don’t have voting rights. The minority cannot challenge the commercial wisdom of the Committee but is entitled to fair and equitable distribution under Section 30(2) of the IBC, 2016. Section 30(2) confirms that the operational and the dissenting creditors receive value equivalent to the payment received in the event of liquidation or order of priority. However, its application is shrouded in the mist of confusion regarding the extent of proceeds payable, lowering the success rate of resolution processes. To salvage the creditor-centric resolution process pursued in India, the “cross-class cram down” mechanism may be a relief. An important part of the US insolvency framework, this mechanism has also gained momentum in the UK. It is a bridge binding the dissenting creditors to the resolution plan approved by the Committee of Creditors. In return, it ensures that the minority is not worse off than the “relevant alternative”. Although Section 30(2) attempts to plant this concept, it has not yet been able to bear the fruits. This article sifts through the application of this concept in different jurisdictions to solve the ambiguities in the Indian Insolvency framework. Continue reading From Right to Dissent to Success of the Resolution Process: Reinforcing Cramdown With Fairness and Equitability

Mediating the Game of Insolvency: Unlocking Efficiency and Equity in India’s Bankruptcy Landscape

The Indian Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, has faced persistent challenges, including prolonged resolution timelines and inequitable treatment of creditors. This article explores the potential of integrating mediation into the existing insolvency framework as a means to address these issues. By employing game theory as an analytical tool, the study examines the strategic interactions among the key players in insolvency proceedings, including creditors, debtors, and regulatory bodies. The game-theoretic analysis reveals that the insolvency game is characterised by coordination problems, information asymmetries, and heterogeneous interests among stakeholders. These factors often lead to suboptimal outcomes, where the Nash equilibrium may not align with the Kaldor-Hicks efficient solution. The article argues that the introduction of mediation can transform the insolvency game into a more cooperative endeavour, fostering mutually beneficial agreements and preserving overall economic value. Through a graphical representation of the game, the study demonstrates how mediation can expand the feasible set of outcomes, guiding the players towards a Nash equilibrium that is closer to the Pareto frontier. The flexibility of mediation allows for creative solutions that may not be available through formal legal processes, potentially leading to faster resolutions and higher recovery rates for all stakeholders. By leveraging the insights from game theory, this article provides a compelling case for policymakers to consider the integration of mediation into the Indian insolvency regime, as a means to enhance the efficiency and equity of the corporate debt resolution landscape. Continue reading Mediating the Game of Insolvency: Unlocking Efficiency and Equity in India’s Bankruptcy Landscape

12th RMLNLU International Legal Essay Writing Competition Winning Entries

The Journal Committee at Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University, Lucknow, in collaboration with Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan, organised the 12th edition of the RMLNLU International Legal Essay Writing Competition. Along with that, the RMLNLU – Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan Conference on Insolvency Law was also held on 22 March 2025. This year, the Committee invited submissions from authors on Insolvency Law. The sub-themes for the … Continue reading 12th RMLNLU International Legal Essay Writing Competition Winning Entries

12th RMLNLU International Legal Essay Competition and Conference on Insolvency Law (RILEC), being organized on 22 March, 2025 in collaboration with Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan.

The Journal Committee (“Committee”) at Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University, Lucknow (“RMLNLU”), in collaboration with Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan, is organizing the 12th edition of the RMLNLU International Legal Essay Competition and Conference on Insolvency Law (“RILEC”). The Conference is to be conducted on 22nd March, 2025.   About the Event Pursuant to the Call for Papers released in July 2024, the Committee received … Continue reading 12th RMLNLU International Legal Essay Competition and Conference on Insolvency Law (RILEC), being organized on 22 March, 2025 in collaboration with Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan.

Merger Control In Developing Nations: Is Green Channel Taking India Through The Correct Route?

In this article the authors delve into how merger control is an essential element of competition law and aids in developing and sustaining a fair and healthy economy. The introduction of the Green Channel Route as an automatic mechanism for the approval of combinations is a step in the right direction. However, there are certain issues regarding the implications and implementation of such a procedure. This essay aims to analyse the Green Channel Route vis-a-vis merger control policies and mechanisms used in other developing economies, namely South Africa and Brazil. The implications that the Green Channel route has upon the holistic development of the Indian economy is analysed in light of the incorporation of Public Interest Considerations in South African merger control policy. Further, the essay analyses the fast-track procedure for merger approvals present in Brazilian competition law. It goes on to argue that certain procedural mechanisms present in the Brazilian fast-track procedure may be added to the Green Channel Route in order to increase certainty and accountability. Finally, the essay concludes by offering suggestions as to how these lessons from foreign jurisdictions may be incorporated into the Indian merger control regime. Continue reading Merger Control In Developing Nations: Is Green Channel Taking India Through The Correct Route?

Exploring Anti – Competitiveness in Standard Essential Patents; A Law and Economics Perspective.

In this article the authors delve into that how Patent and Competition Laws often conflict due to their contrasting goals: patent laws encourage innovation through exclusivity, while competition laws ensure market efficiency by preventing monopolistic practices. This tension is particularly evident in the case of Standard Essential Patents (SEPs), which are crucial for technology standards and can lead to market dominance and potential abuse. The recent Delhi High Court ruling that grants exclusive jurisdiction over SEPs to patent laws overlooks the role of competition laws in addressing anti-competitive behavior. This essay critiques the ruling, arguing that the Competition Commission of India (CCI) should also have a role in regulating SEPs to ensure fair competition and consumer protection. The essay advocates for a balanced approach where both patent and competition laws work together to prevent abuses and maintain market fairness, emphasizing that the CCI’s expertise in market regulation is vital for addressing the economic impacts of SEPs. Continue reading Exploring Anti – Competitiveness in Standard Essential Patents; A Law and Economics Perspective.