Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), India’s largest IT company, finds itself embroiled in a controversy involving allegations of bribery by certain senior executives who had dealings with staffing firms. While specific details of the scandal remain somewhat murky, it emerged following a report from a whistleblower who reportedly reached out to TCS’s CEO and COO. The whistleblower accused E.S. Chakravarthy, the global head of TCS’s resource management group (RMG), responsible for recruitment, of accepting undisclosed commissions from staffing firms spanning several years.
In response to these allegations, TCS initiated an internal inquiry, forming a team to investigate the claims thoroughly. Following an extensive examination, TCS took action by placing the head of recruitment on leave, terminating the employment of four RMG executives, and blacklisting three staffing firms implicated in the matter. Although the full extent of the irregularities is not yet established, initial estimations suggest that individuals involved may have received commissions amounting to at least ₹100 crore, which translates to roughly $13.5 million.
Chakravarthy, who held the position of vice president at TCS and had been associated with the company since 1997, reported to the chief operating officer before being prohibited from entering the office premises. It’s noteworthy that his email account remains active.
This scandal has raised significant concerns, especially considering TCS’s esteemed standing in the IT industry. It has also prompted questions about the effectiveness of the company’s internal oversight mechanisms. Investigations are presently ongoing to ascertain the complete scope and duration of the alleged misconduct.
