IT firm staff meet CMO official on missing boss

“We have not got an assurance from the CMO,but have been told by Nehra that the case will be looked into as per the law. He reiterated what the Bodakdev police had told us — that as employees we cannot file a case pertaining to fraud and it makes for a strong civil,not criminal,case,” said Rahul Deo,one of the five-member team that met Nehra.

Nehra was unavailable for comment.

One of the employees said that the meeting followed a letter they had sent to the CM’s office,demanding an inquiry into the matter.

The employees have already written to the State Bank of India,Serious Fraud Investigation Office,CBI,Secretary of Finance,Government of India. A few days ago,after repeatedly failing to lodge an FIR against Kakkad with the Vastrapur police,the SIS employees sent a legal notice to the Commissioner of Police,Ahmedabad City,Joint Commissioner of Police-Sector 1,Assistant Commissioner of Police,Deputy Commissioner of Police-Zone 1 and Police Inspector,Station in charge,Vastrapur Police Station. As per the notice,the police were asked to file an FIR within 48 hours on receiving the notice or face legal proceedings initiated against them by the employees. A copy of the notice and its acknowledgment by police authorities,dated August 16,is available with The Indian Express.

“On August 18,following our legal notice some action was taken by the police,and our HR head Manish Ajmera was asked to submit details about outstanding dues of employees. Among others whom we named as accused are Senior Manager (Finance) Ritesh Acharya,Financial Consultant Mihir Patel,CMD’s brother Samir — all of whom were summoned to the police station and their statements were recorded. Balkrishna Sharma (ED & CFO,SIS) and Ritesh were asked to submit details of loans taken by the firm between June 2000 and June 2013,” said an employee.

The employees moved the Labour Court on Saturday which has put a stay on Kakkad’s two properties in Ahmedabad. “As per the stay given by judge K P Jani,Kakkad’s bungalow and registered office in Ahmedabad cannot be sold or transferred in someone else’s name. While Kakkad’s offices are mortgaged with the SBI,the employees are left with no option other than banking on the bungalow to get their dues which are outstanding for last 10 months.