H Nagarajan, the CEO of Diageo India (United Spirits), has been summoned by the Delhi Police’s Anti-Corruption Bureau for an ongoing investigation into alleged irregularities in billing and discount practices involving government-run liquor shops between 2017 and 2020.
The investigation is focused on how companies like Diageo supplied liquor to these agencies and whether there was any wrongdoing in the process of offering discounts and early payments.
Nagarajan has been asked to provide documents related to company sales and explain whether the discounts given to government agencies were in accordance with the excise policy.
Diageo India has confirmed receiving the notice and has stated that they will fully cooperate with the investigation.
Diageo’s response: The company will provide full cooperation with the investigation regarding Potential wrongdoing in offering discounts and early payments
Diageo India, also known as United Spirits Limited (USL), is one of India’s leading alcoholic beverages companies and the world’s second-largest spirits company by volume. It is a subsidiary of Diageo, a British multinational alcoholic beverages company.
USL has a vast portfolio of over 140 liquor brands, including popular names like McDowell’s No.1, Royal Challenge, Signature, Antiquity, and Black Dog. The company has a strong distribution network across India and exports its products to over 37 countries.
Source: Reuters