News Update
EOW investigation halts Ashneer Grover and spouse at Delhi airport
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ByStartupStory | November 18, 2023
Amid an Economic Offences Wing (EOW) investigation, the former BharatPe CEO, Ashneer Grover, and his wife, Madhuri Jain, encountered a halt at the Indira Gandhi International Airport while en route to the US. This occurred due to a look out circular (LOC) issued against Grover amidst ongoing inquiries.
The investigation by Delhi Police’s EOW unveiled irregularities involving eight HR firms linked to Grover and his family members. Allegedly, these entities employed backdated bills to siphon funds for unperformed services at BharatPe. The firms, including Vardhaman Marketing, Impulse Marketing, and others, purportedly operated from addresses associated with Grover’s wife’s relatives.
Reports indicate discrepancies in the creation dates of bank accounts linked to five out of the eight companies, contradicting the invoiced timelines. Approximately ₹7.60 crore was credited to these firms through these means.
Addressing the situation, Grover confirmed being detained at immigration and informed about the LOC issuance. Expressing surprise, he highlighted a lack of prior communication or summons from the EOW since the FIR in May. Grover clarified his travel history post the FIR, mentioning no prior complications during four international trips and receiving the EOW summon subsequently.
Earlier FIRs were lodged against Grover, Madhuri Jain, and other family members following BharatPe’s allegations of a ₹81 crore fraud. Despite the Delhi High Court’s dismissal of an investigation request, the legal complexities persist.
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