In wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Competition Commission of India (“CCI”) has on April 13, 2020, announced further relaxations and clarifications concerning matters involving anti-competitive agreements, abuse of dominance, combination filings and other compliances under the Competition Act.

The Central Government on March 26, 2020 announced allocation of INR 17 million as relief under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana to prevent employment disruption and support small businesses during COVID-19 times.

In an effort to continue to support corporate India, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (“MCA”) has issued yet another General Circular 14/2020 on April 8, 2020 (“Circular”) for promoting social distancing while convening of Extra-ordinary General Meetings (“EGMs”).

On April 06, 2020, SC passed another suo moto order and provided additional guidelines for functioning of courts through video conferencing. It stated (a) All measures that have been and shall be taken by SC and various High Courts to secure functioning of courts with social distancing guidelines shall be deemed to be lawful;

In the wake of COVID-19, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (“MCA”) has announced a Companies Fresh Start Scheme, 2020 (“the CFSS Scheme”) through a general circular 12/2020 dated March 30, 2020.

April 2020 On March 25, 2020, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India issued the Telemedicine Practice Guidelines (“Guidelines”) appended as Appendix 5 to the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002 (“Ethics Regulations”). The promulgation of the guidelines has met the longstanding demand for the regulation of health...

In view of the 21-day lockdown and the notification of March 25, 2020, the Delhi High Court directed suspension of work at its premises and all subordinate courts to continue till April 15, 2020. This is being followed by almost all courts and tribunals.

Force majeure is a French word that means “superior force”. It includes all extraordinary events and circumstances that are beyond the control of a contracting party such as war, strikes, riots, acts of god like natural calamities, etc.