Byju's Under Scrutiny by ED Over Financial Statements and Investmen
Byju's Assures Business as Usual Amid ED's "Routine Inquiry"
29 April 2023
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Kunal Tyagi
In accordance with India's anti-money laundering statute FEMA, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) searched three of Byju's locations, including the headquarters of the company's founder Byju Raveendran.
The probe focuses on Byju's delayed investment of $3.4 billion between 2011 and 2023, as well as the submission of yearly financials.
Byju's has described the searches as "regular inquiries," cooperating fully with the police and giving all information sought.
According to a statement made public on Saturday, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), India's top law enforcement organisation, searched three locations owned by the edtech titan Byju's and its founder Byju Raveendran. As part of an inquiry under the nation's anti-money laundering statute FEMA, the agency confiscated a number of "incriminating" papers and digital data. The startup's delayed submission of yearly financials and a $3.4 billion investment raised by Byju's between 2011 and 2023 are the main subjects of the investigation, which was launched in response to "multiple" concerns from private persons.
The ED investigation against Byju's is still underway, and the agency has not provided any more information regarding the nature of the complaints it received. Reports, however, cite a potential contributing factor as the financial statements' delayed filing. Since the financial year 2020–2021, the startup has not prepared its financial statements and has not had its accounts audited, which is required. As a result, the banks are cross-examining the accuracy of the numbers given by the firm.
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The searches have been described by Byju's as "regular inquiries," and the company has been completely open with the police and provided all the information they have asked for. The most valued startup in India is called Byju's, and Sequoia India, BlackRock, Lightspeed Venture Partners India, and UBS are among its supporters. The business, which is now concluding a sizable investment round, also has plans for an initial public offering of its sibling company, the physical tutor network Aakash.
The ED claimed that although it summoned Raveendran "many" times throughout the inquiry, the founder remained evasive and did not show up. The ED found that Byju's had transferred $1.1 billion to overseas organisations while classifying around $115 million in expenses for marketing and advertising.
In a statement, Byju's reaffirmed its dedication to following the highest standards of compliance and ethics and said that operations at the company are continuing as usual. The Bengaluru-based firm claims that it is dedicated to providing clients in India and throughout the world with high-quality educational products and services. It is yet unknown how the ED's inquiry will turn out and if Byju's will be subject to any penalties or punishments.
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