When Murthy took potshots at media

Infosys co-founder N.R. Narayana Murthy Saturday had a dig at a section of the media, which has been commenting on the troubled company following exits by senior executives and exodus of its techies since his return a year ago.

"As this is the last time I am addressing you as the chairman of the company, let me describe the realities of what some outsiders and some section of the media have been commenting based on malicious rumours, unfounded allegations and speculations," Murthy told shareholders at the company's 33rd annual general meeting (AGM) here.

Refuting reports in newspapers and TV channels on the exit of 12 middle and senior people, Murthy said of those who left, one extraordinary person became a consultant with the company due to some unavoidable personal reasons.

"Two people were at the middle level handling less than 0.5-1 percent of the revenue in distant lands. Some had been identified as low performers by the external evaluation agency and the board. A small number of them left since they had higher aspirations, which could not be fulfilled in the company," Murthy said, setting the record straight.

Early this week, Infosys filed defamation suits against three leading English newspapers, including "The Times of India", "The Economic Times" and "The Financial Express" for writing a series of articles against the global software major based on half-truths, heresy and speculation.

Claiming Rs.2,000 crore towards damages, the company asked the three dailies to withdraw the articles from their websites and issue apology in their print editions for having tarnished its image and causing damage to its global reputation.

"I hope the media will treat the company's new chief executive officer Vishal Sikka fairly, based on data and facts, and not on rumours and speculation," Murthy said sarcastically.

Clarifying that the departing founders would not make public comments on the internal affairs of the company based on rumours, half-truths and speculation, Murthy said the company had given prestige, wealth and fame to an average person like him.

Murthy, however, was equally critical of his company, as he charged it of diluting its focus on meritocracy and accountability during the last decade although he believed that fairness, transparency, meritocracy, accountability and leadership by example were key to the success of any enterprise.