Pune demands an investigation into bribery allegations against the IT company Cognizant.

Home information technology update - April 27, 2024, at 9:07 AM. | The bribe is believed to have been paid between 2013 and 2014.

Court hearings

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of the Maharashtra police has been tasked with investigating allegations against IT giant Cognizant Technologies that a bribe was paid to local officials through a contractor to obtain necessary permits and environmental clearances for its campus in Hinjawadi on the outskirts of the city. The bribe is believed to have been paid between 2013 and 2014. The order was issued on April 19 in response to a complaint filed by Delhi-based environmental activist and former police officer Preet Pali Singh through his lawyer Pratik Rajopadhye.

Investigation

The complaint invoked the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) proceedings against Cognizant Technology Private Ltd's parent firm Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation, USA regarding alleged bribery and violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).

Judge's decision

The additional session judge SB Hedaoo stated in the ruling that since a reference to the alleged transaction was found in the possession of the SEC in the USA, there was enough material to file a complaint with the ACB in Pune. He noted that if a crime is not registered against unknown public officials involved in the alleged bribery, "this case will not progress further," adding that without an operational investigation, evidence on the company's computers may disappear.

Actions of the decree

"The complaint is being sent to the Pune Anti-Corruption Bureau under Article 156(3) of the Criminal Procedure Code for investigation. The Pune Anti-Corruption Bureau is tasked with investigating these allegations and submitting a report," the statement read.

• The contracting firm said bribes must be paid to government officials at both locations to obtain the necessary permits and environmental approvals.
• In 2013-2014, the Indian subsidiary of the company reimbursed a contracting firm $770,000 for the construction of a campus in Pune.
• The parent company in the US has acknowledged its wrongdoing and agreed to pay a fine of 25 million dollars to the US government.

In response to the inquiry, Cognizant stated that it does not comment on matters under judicial review and that it is "committed to complying with the law."