INDIA: COVID-19 update: IPO confirms suspension of all deadlines until further notice

The IPO has issued a Public Notice clarifying that the timelines for completion of various proceedings, filing of documents, payment of fees, etc. falling due after March 15, 2020, stand suspended until further notice.

The said Public Notice has been issued in furtherance of an order of the Delhi High Court dated June 17, 2020. In the said order, the High Court had affirmed that the interim order dated May 21, 2020, staying the operation of the two public notices (dated May 18, 2020 and May 20, 2020) issued by the IPO, fixing a deadline of June 1, 2020 for submission of documents / completion of all IP acts, shall continue to operate until further orders. The matter shall be taken up by the Court on July 30, 2020.

Thus, effectively all due dates from March 15, 2020 currently stand suspended.

We are closely monitoring the developments in this regard and shall keep you updated. Meanwhile, we advise you to provide us instructions and documents for any filings with the IPO as per your earliest convenience.

We continue to serve clients in the usual manner as our teams are working remotely with 100% capacity and robust IT systems in place.

Please feel free to contact us for any clarifications.