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@article{191102,
        author = {Ashok N. Kotangle},
        title = {White Collar Crimes in India: Causes, Effects, Challenges and the Need for Robust Regulatory Mechanisms},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {12},
        number = {8},
        pages = {6153-6166},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=191102},
        abstract = {White-collar crimes constitute a significant and growing threat to India’s economic stability, governance structures, and public confidence in institutions. These non-violent yet highly sophisticated offences—committed by individuals occupying positions of trust, authority, or professional responsibility—include fraud, corruption, money laundering, insider trading, corporate fraud, tax evasion, cybercrime, and large-scale financial misrepresentation. Rooted in greed, intense market competition, regulatory loopholes, technological misuse, and cultural tolerance of corruption, white-collar crimes have expanded rapidly in post-liberalization India, paralleling economic growth and financial globalization.
This study critically examines the conceptual framework, causes, and socio-economic effects of white-collar crimes in India, highlighting their far-reaching consequences beyond mere financial loss. Such crimes erode public trust, distort markets, widen socio-economic inequality, and undermine the rule of law. Through an analysis of landmark case studies— including the “Harshad Mehta Scam, Satyam Scam, PNB–Nirav Modi Fraud, Vijay Mallya Case, Chanda Kochhar–ICICI Bank Case, 2G Spectrum Scam, Sahara Case, Telgi Stamp Paper Scam, and Vyapam Scam”—the paper demonstrates systemic vulnerabilities in banking, corporate governance, regulatory oversight, and public administration.
The research further evaluates India’s constitutional, legislative, and institutional framework, encompassing the Indian Penal Code, Prevention of Corruption Act, Companies Act, Prevention of Money Laundering Act, SEBI regulations, Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, and the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act. It underscores the pivotal role of the judiciary in expanding the scope of economic offences, ensuring accountability, and reinforcing deterrence through strict interpretation and punishment.
The paper concludes that while India has made notable progress through legal reforms and institutional strengthening, persistent challenges—such as procedural delays, political influence, evidentiary complexity, and cross-border financial crimes—necessitate a more robust, coordinated, and technology-driven regulatory response. Emphasis is placed on stronger enforcement mechanisms, corporate governance reforms, judicial efficiency, public awareness, and international cooperation to effectively combat white-collar crimes and safeguard economic justice and democratic integrity.},
        keywords = {White Coller, Money Laundering, Scam},
        month = {January},
        }