Infosys investors lose ₹53,000 crore as shares tank amid row over CEO
Shares of IT services firm Infosys on Tuesday (October 22) plummeted nearly 17%, wiping ₹53,451 crore from its market valuation, on concerns over a whistleblower complaint which alleged that two top executives of the company were indulging in unethical practices to increase short-term revenue and profits.
The scrip tanked 16.21% to close at ₹643.30 on the BSE. During the day, it tumbled 16.86% to ₹638.30, the most since April 2013.
Also read: Will probe allegations against Infosys CEO, CFO, says Nilekani
On the National Stock Exchange (NSE), it plunged 16.65% to close at ₹640. The sharp fall in the scrip wiped out ₹53,450.92 crore from the company’s market valuation which now stands at ₹2,76,300.08 crore.
It was the worst-hit among the frontline companies on both Sensex and Nifty.
In terms of traded volume, 117.70 lakh shares of the company were traded on the BSE and over 9 crore shares on the NSE.
According to reports, a complaint by a group that calls itself ‘Ethical Employees’ has alleged CEO Salil Parekh and CFO Nilanjan Roy were indulging in “unethical practices” to boost short-term revenue and profits.
Also read: ‘Ethical employees’ accuse Infosys of fudging profit figures
Infosys on Monday (October 21) said the whistleblower complaint has been placed before the audit committee as per the company’s practice, and that it will be dealt with in accordance with the company’s whistleblower policy.
In a statement on Tuesday, Infosys chairman Nandan Nilekani said the company’s audit committee will conduct an independent investigation on whistleblower allegations.
The committee began consultation with independent internal auditors EY, and has retained law firm Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co. to conduct an independent investigation, Nilekani noted in his statement to the stock exchanges.
