Reebok case referred to Serious Fraud Investigation Office

New Delhi: Corporate Affairs Minister Veerappa Moily today said "something wrong" has been found in the books of Reebok India, which has accused two of its former top executives of a Rs 870-crore fraud.

The minister also said the matter has now been referred to the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) following a non-invasive scrutiny of the books of accounts of the sportswear maker.

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"Prima facie, we have found something wrong in their (Reebok) books. The matter has now been referred to the SFIO for further investigation," Moily told reporters on the sidelines of an Assocham event.

He said the report of the non-invasive scrutiny, carried out by the Registrar of Companies (RoC), Delhi, was submitted yesterday to the ministry.

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Last week, the ministry had ordered an enquiry into the books of accounts of Reebok's Indian arm over complaints of an alleged Rs 870-crore fraud.

The enquiry was ordered on the basis of a complaint from an investor.

Reebok India had filed an FIR with the Gurgaon police last week alleging its former MD Subhinder Singh Prem and COO Vishnu Bhagat of Rs 870 crore fraud by indulging in "criminal conspiracy" and "fraudulent" practices over a period of time.

While both Prem and Bhagat had denied the allegations, a local court on Saturday had rejected their anticipatory bail.

PTI