Brands
Talk too free costs dear as CCPA slaps Rs 10 lakh fines on platforms
MUMBAI: When walkie-talkies started speaking louder than the law, the regulator pressed the mute button. India’s consumer watchdog has fined Flipkart and Meta Platforms Rs 10 lakh each for allowing the sale of walkie-talkies on their platforms without mandatory disclosures on licensing and regulatory compliance.
In separate but connected orders issued in January 2026, the Central Consumer Protection Authority held that both platforms permitted listings of regulated telecom equipment without informing consumers about critical legal requirements. These include operating frequency ranges, the need for a wireless operating licence, and mandatory Equipment Type Approval certification details essential to determine whether the devices can be legally used in India.
The Authority observed that the lack of disclosures could mislead buyers into believing the devices were fit for unrestricted use. Walkie-talkies fall under the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933, and are regulated by the Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing. Only Personal Mobile Radios operating strictly within the 446.0–446.2 MHz band are licence-exempt; devices outside this range require prior approvals.
In Flipkart’s case, the CCPA took suo motu cognisance of the listings and issued a notice in May 2025. Submissions showed that 8,708 sellers were offering walkie-talkies, with 1,08,206 units sold since January 2023 without any verification of frequency compliance or ETA certification. The Authority termed this a systemic lapse and a failure to exercise due diligence under the Consumer Protection (E-commerce) Rules, 2020.
Flipkart’s defence that it functioned merely as an intermediary and that responsibility lay with third-party sellers found no favour. The CCPA ruled that marketplace entities carry an independent obligation to ensure regulated products are not sold without legally mandated disclosures.
A similar line was taken against Meta, where listings on Facebook Marketplace were found to lack regulatory information. While Meta removed some listings after receiving a show-cause notice and cited internal monitoring tools, the Authority said these steps were reactive and insufficient. It also rejected Meta’s claim that Facebook Marketplace does not qualify as an e-commerce entity, noting that facilitating product discovery and buyer–seller interaction brings it squarely within the rules.
Concluding that both platforms had engaged in misleading practices under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, the CCPA imposed the penalties and directed them to strengthen compliance systems. Going forward, listings of regulated products will have to speak clearly or risk being silenced by the law.
Brands
Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds to open 25 stores in Q1 FY26 expansion
Push into Tier 2 cities and metros to take total footprint past 85 stores
MUMBAI: Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds has kicked off the new financial year with an ambitious retail push, announcing plans to launch 25 new stores in the first quarter of FY26 across metros and high-growth Tier 2 markets.
With this expansion, the brand’s total retail footprint is set to cross 85 stores nationwide, reinforcing its early-mover advantage in India’s fast-growing lab grown diamond segment. The move reflects a broader shift in consumer preferences, where aspirational buying is increasingly aligned with sustainability and value.
The company said the expansion is aimed at deepening its presence beyond major cities and tapping into emerging demand centres, as lab grown diamonds gain wider acceptance among Indian consumers.
Commenting on the development, Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds founder and managing director Pooja Madhavan said, “Launching 25 stores at the very start of the financial year is a strong signal of how the category is evolving. As pioneers, we are not just expanding retail, we are shaping consumer mindsets towards smarter, more sustainable luxury.” She added that the brand’s long-term goal is to scale to 200 stores while making the category accessible to modern Indian buyers.
From an execution standpoint, the company is focusing on building depth in high-potential markets rather than just expanding its footprint. Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds director retail expansion Karamjyot Singh Chawla said, “Every new store is a step towards creating a truly national footprint with consistent, premium experiences,” highlighting the role of supply chain and operational discipline in supporting growth.
On the product side, the brand is strengthening its merchandising capabilities to keep pace with rising demand. Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds co-founder and director of inventory and merchandise Nirav Bhatt said the focus is on building an agile supply system that keeps designs relevant and responsive to consumer trends.
Meanwhile, scaling operations sustainably remains a priority. Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds co-founder and director production and finance Kalpan Dalal said the company is investing in efficient production and financial discipline to support long-term expansion.
The retail rollout is backed by an omni-channel strategy, franchise partnerships and continued investment in design innovation and consumer education. Each store is designed to deliver a consistent, premium experience aligned with the brand’s positioning around transparency and modern luxury.
With a roadmap to reach 200 stores by 2027, Limelight is betting big on both scale and sentiment, aiming to carve out a larger share of India’s evolving fine jewellery market.
