White Collar Offences in India: A Study on Judicial Trends, Challenges, and Corporate Compliance

Abstract

White-collar crime has emerged as a major challenge for India’s economic integrity and institutional trust. These offences, often committed through deception, manipulation, and abuse of professional positions, pose significant threats to financial markets, corporate governance, and public confidence. This study examines the judicial trends, prosecution challenges, and evolving compliance mechanisms related to white-collar crimes. It explores how courts have increasingly adopted stricter interpretations, faster procedures, and technology-driven evidence assessment to handle complex economic offences. The paper also highlights the major obstacles in prosecuting such crimes, including lengthy trials, difficulty in gathering digital evidence, lack of specialised investigation skills, and the involvement of influential individuals. Further, the research analyses corporate compliance frameworks in India, such as the Companies Act, SEBI regulations, and internal governance practices, and discusses how these systems interact with judicial oversight to strengthen accountability. The interplay between judiciary and corporate compliance reveals a growing emphasis on prevention, transparency, and deterrence. The study concludes by offering policy recommendations for reforms such as specialised courts, stronger whistleblower protection, improved coordination among agencies, and mandatory compliance audits. Overall, the research emphasises that collective efforts from the judiciary, regulators, and corporate entities are essential for effectively combating white-collar crimes and ensuring ethical business practices in India.