WHITE-COLLAR CRIMES IN INDIA LEGAL CHALLENGES AND RIGHTS: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS
AUTHOR – MD. ASHIF KHAN* & DR.AXITA SRIVASTAVA**
* LL.M (CRIMINAL.LAW) SCHOLAR AT AMITY LAW SCHOOL, AMITY UNIVERSITY UTTAR PRADESH LUCKNOW CAMPUS
** ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AT AMITY LAW SCHOOL, AMITY UNIVERSITY UTTAR PRADESH LUCKNOW CAMPUS
BEST CITATION -MD. ASHIF KHAN & DR.AXITA SRIVASTAVA, WHITE-COLLAR CRIMES IN INDIA LEGAL CHALLENGES AND RIGHTS: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 5 (6) OF 2025, PG. 892-900, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344
ABSTRACT
White-collar crimes, while lacking physical violence, exert a profound and often underestimated impact on a nation’s socio-economic fabric. In India, the rise in such crimes—ranging from corporate fraud and embezzlement to money laundering and insider trading—has exposed systemic vulnerabilities in the legal and regulatory framework. These crimes are typically committed by individuals in positions of trust and authority, exploiting legal ambiguities and procedural loopholes to evade accountability. The present paper critically examines the conceptual evolution and classification of white-collar crimes in the Indian context. It also evaluates the legislative instruments, institutional mechanisms, and judicial responses in addressing these offenses. Special focus is placed on the procedural hurdles faced during investigation and prosecution, as well as the legal rights and protections available to both the accused and the victims. Through the analysis of landmark cases and a comparative perspective with global practices, the paper offers concrete policy recommendations aimed at enhancing the deterrence and efficacy of the Indian criminal justice system in combating white-collar crimes.
Keywords – White-collar crime, Economic offenses, Corporate fraud, Money laundering, Legal framework, Criminal justice system, Procedural challenges, Victim rights, Accused rights, Judicial response, Financial crimes, India, Regulatory reform, Anti-corruption laws, Enforcement agencies.