WHITE COLLAR CRIMES AND PLANNED OBSOLESCENCE: A JURISPRUDENTIAL ANALYSIS

Planned obsolescence, the deliberate strategy by corporations to reduce product lifespan or functionality, represents a modern form of consumer exploitation. While traditionally associated with market competition, jurisprudential analysis reveals that such practices can be classied as white collar crimes due to their deceptive nature, nancial harm to consumers, and broader socio-economic and environmental impact. This paper examines the legal and philosophical dimensions of planned obsolescence within the framework of white collar crimes, analyzing its treatment under Indian law and drawing comparisons with international approaches. It argues for judicial activism and legislative reforms in India to explicitly recognize planned obsolescence as a form of economic crime, ensuring stronger consumer protection and corporate accountability