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Bombay Chamber webinar highlights urgent DPDP compliance needs

Mumbai: The Bombay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, through its Legal & IPR Committee, convened a high‑level webinar on the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act and the newly notified rules. The programme brought together leading legal experts and industry representatives to explore the legislation’s wide‑ranging impact and to share practical insights on how businesses can adapt to an evolving regulatory environment.

Held on December 05, 2025, the session clarified the compliance requirements organisations must meet within the 18‑month transition period. Sandeep Khosla, Director General of the Bombay Chamber, delivered the welcome address and acknowledged the efforts of Attreyi Mukherjee, Co‑Chair of the Legal & IPR Committee and Vice‑President & Head of Legal, Mahindra & Mahindra (EV Business), for her role in actively shaping and planning the discussions.

Speakers Supratim Chakraborty, Partner at Khaitan & Co, and Sumantra Bose, Counsel at Khaitan & Co, outlined the scope of the Act and explained how it reshapes organisational accountability. They emphasised that the law introduces binding standards for consent, data minimisation, breach response, retention controls and governance. The discussion highlighted that these obligations are not routine adjustments but fundamental changes to how enterprises handle personal data.

Participants were reminded that the compliance window is short and that delaying action could expose organisations to operational disruption, legal consequences and reputational damage. The speakers examined practical steps for implementation, including revising contracts, updating internal processes and strengthening technical safeguards. They also addressed the role of consent managers, the handling of children’s data, and the responsibilities of significant data fiduciaries.

The session explored the challenges of breach reporting, particularly the requirement to notify multiple regulators and affected individuals. Attention was also given to data retention and deletion, with guidance on navigating the new framework. The speakers noted that organisations must prepare for audit‑ready governance and be able to demonstrate compliance at short notice.

Cross‑border data transfers were another area of focus, with discussion on how the rules alter existing practices and what safeguards are now expected. The webinar also touched on mergers and acquisitions, stressing that data protection considerations will become central to due diligence and transaction planning.

The panel discussion and Q&A session, moderated by Attreyi Mukherjee, Co‑Chair of the Legal & IPR Committee, Bombay Chamber and Vice‑President & Head of Legal, Mahindra & Mahindra (EV Business), highlighted the need for companies to treat compliance as an immediate priority, not something to be delayed. The speakers stressed that the Act requires organisations to act now, both to meet legal requirements and to maintain the trust of customers and stakeholders.

The webinar helped cut through the complexity of the legislation and gave attendees clear, practical insights. By explaining the law’s requirements and the risks of non‑compliance, it underscored the need for proactive preparation during the transition period.

(Write to us at editorial@bombaychamber.com)

Corporate governance and legal experts discuss SEBI amendments to LODR and ICDR regulations

Mumbai: The Bombay Chamber of Commerce and Industry hosted a seminar on the recent amendments to the Securities and Exchange Board of India’s Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements (LODR) and Issue of Capital and Disclosure Requirements (ICDR) regulations. The event brought together industry leaders, legal experts and regulatory professionals to examine the implications of these changes and their impact on corporate governance and compliance.

The seminar opened with a welcome address by Sandeep Khosla, Director General, Bombay Chamber, who highlighted the importance of understanding regulatory amendments and their role in fostering transparency and accountability in the corporate sector.

The keynote address was delivered by Jeevan Sonparote, Executive Director at SEBI. He provided an overview of the amendments, emphasising SEBI’s commitment to enhancing disclosure standards and streamlining compliance processes. His remarks set the tone for the evening, underscoring the significance of these changes in strengthening investor confidence and promoting fair practices in the capital markets.

The first panel discussion, moderated by Suhas Tuljapurkar, Founder and Managing Partner of Legasis Partners and Co‑Chairperson of the Corporate Governance Committee at the Bombay Chamber, examined the ICDR amendments in detail. The conversation explored key changes, including the alignment of promoters’ lock‑in periods with the use of proceeds, the introduction of a single advertisement two days prior to the issue, expanded disclosure requirements covering transactions, placements, litigation, agreements, financials and employee‑related matters, and the revised framework for rights issues.

Panellists Manan Lahoty, Partner and Head of Capital Markets at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, Sudhir Bassi, Executive Director of Capital Markets at Khaitan & Co., and Jabarati Chandra, Partner at S&R Associates, shared their perspectives on the implications of these changes. They discussed the removal of the ₹50 crore threshold for rights issue applicability and the shift in filing draft offer documents from SEBI to stock exchanges. The session also examined the evolving role of merchant bankers and the increasing involvement of legal professionals in capital market transactions.

The second panel discussion focused on the latest amendments to LODR regulations and their impact on compliance. Moderated by Bharat Vasani, Senior Advisor on Corporate Laws at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas and Chairperson of the Legal Affairs & IPR Committee at the Bombay Chamber, the session addressed critical topics such as challenges in identifying related parties, evolving disclosure standards, brand royalty payments and practical difficulties in adhering to the ‘purpose and effect’ test.

Panellists Hetal Dalal, President and Chief Operating Officer of Institutional Investor Advisory Services India Ltd., Savithri Parekh, Company Secretary and Compliance Officer at Reliance Industries Ltd. and Chairperson of the Corporate Governance Committee at the Bombay Chamber, and Suhas Tuljapurkar offered valuable insights into navigating these challenges. They also discussed the role of audit committees in determining arm’s length pricing and ensuring compliance with the amended regulations.

The seminar concluded with a vote of thanks by Sandeep Khosla, who emphasised the Chamber’s commitment to fostering dialogue and collaboration among industry leaders, regulators and professionals to promote best practices in corporate governance and compliance. This was followed by networking, where attendees engaged with peers and experts. The event provided a platform for meaningful discussions on the evolving regulatory landscape and its implications for businesses and stakeholders.