Corporate Accountability in India: Navigating the Overlap Between Civil and Criminal Liability in the Post-Satyam era

This paper critically examines the overlapping domains of civil and criminal liability in Indian corporate law; corporate governance failures refer to ongoing governance failures such as the Satyam Scam compelled India to re-examine its legal response to corporate misconduct. Drawing from statutory frameworks such as the Companies Act, 2013, the SEBI Act, 1992, the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), and relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), this study explores the legal and ethical dilemmas that arise from prosecuting artificial legal entities and their human agents. The study delves into the of post- Satyam reforms and recent regulatory enforcement trends in achieving a balance among the principles of deterrence, due process, and economic efficiency. Employing a combination of doctrinal analysis and case-based inquiry, this paper presents a harmonized accountability framework that upholds justice while preserving corporate innovation and autonomy.