IndiGo row: MCA to look into issues

Amid intensifying spat between IndiGo promoters, a senior official said the Ministry of Corporate Affairs will only look at whether allegations of governance lapses are a management dispute or violation of companies law.

Rakesh Gangwal and Rahul Bhatia -- promoters of the country’s largest airline IndiGo -- are fighting over corporate governance matters, with Gangwal seeking the intervention of markets regulator Sebi to address the issues.

The ministry, which is implementing the companies law, has sought information from InterGlobe Aviation -- the parent of IndiGo -- after Gangwal raised red flags in July.

“The only matter that the ministry will look at is whether any of the allegations hold water and if so, does it assume the shape of a management dispute or violation of companies law itself and impacts corporate governance,” Corporate Affairs Secretary Injeti Srinivas said.

According to him, it is very necessary to plug deficiencies, if any, in the long term since the company is huge and one of the best-run airlines in the world.

“Its (IndiGo’s) value has to be preserved. In case, there is any such thing that violates the companies law, the company would be asked to rectify it but we have not reached anywhere there. The ministry has a very limited role (in IndiGo matter),” he added.

Srinivas noted that the question is whether or not there are gross violations.