At 2:20 pm on September 6, 2010, an important rendezvous took place at the Taj Chandigarh. Rajan Nair, who is responsible for security at Cadbury’s operations in India, was there to meet a man who had provided canteen services to the company’s factory in Baddi, Himachal Pradesh. Sensing the gravity of the situation, Nair had informed his boss Adrian Wong, director security and special investigations at Kraft Foods, who had flown over 4,000 km from Singapore for the meeting.
At the meeting, Mohit, the canteen services provider, went about detailing allegations of corruption and wrongdoing at the company’s Baddi facility.
While Mohit conceded he was upset about the manner in which his services were terminated, he said he had enough evidence to show the company had bribed government officials. He planned to make life difficult for Cadbury, which was taken over by Kraft Foods in 2010.
First off, Kumaran advised the company to not respond to the Excise letter.
(This story appears in the 17 August, 2012 issue of Forbes India. To visit our Archives, click here.)
greed, the universal malaise! If this story hits the masses, cadbury\'s image will be severely dented.
on Nov 3, 2012fall from grace can be very easy
on Oct 26, 2012In India sometimes you can\'t do business without bribes. It\'s their way (govt officials way) or no way. The govt officials are happy to help in tax evasion but they don\'t make you do your work if you don\'t bribe them. Why the company is made victim here., charge the officials who took bribe. No person had any zeal to pay money (bribes) when things go normal. Even here the man is not a Whistle blower. As per article it clearly says he is disgruntled one. If he is ready to screw his company which it\'s once paid then what he may had done inside the company!!!
on Aug 28, 2012Sir. Adrian Cadbury the father of Corporate Governance must be shocked. Greed of top managers for disproportionate compensation
on Aug 25, 2012Cadbury India leaves us in bad taste!
on Aug 21, 2012It\'s really distressful to see companies of the stature of Cadbury trying to evade taxes and bribe officials. The irony of all this is that, the top brass feigns ignorance of the whole stuff. As if CWG and 2G scams were not enough !
on Aug 20, 2012If after all this mess, the MD claims ignorance and retains his role it will speak volumes of Kraft and their code of governance. Am told the boss of Kraft foods is a lady and if she is silent. Clearly she has been bribed too!
on Aug 15, 2012This is an illogical deduction. While no one can condone the illegal acts by over-enthusiastic/ short-cut happy staff, the info given in report indicates that senior management took appropriate actions when informed of the acts.
on Aug 15, 2012Sorry don\'t agree. Look at the 2G issue in telecom. The leadership was behind bars first. Same should be the case here. It\'s ridiculous if the MD claims ignorance that he was unware that this was bribe money. Also coming from an MNC this unacceptable. Look at Addidas, Diageo. The top guy is held accountable first
on Aug 15, 2012Can Mr. Kripalu take responsibility for this mess ?
on Aug 14, 2012What a fall from grace. Kraft
on Aug 13, 2012Boycott Cadbury everyone. Pathetic stuff
on Aug 12, 2012Thank you Forbes - we need many more such articles to highlight how all firms bribe their way with officials.
on Aug 10, 2012This is really a very well researched article and some shocking truth about brand Cadbury and Kraft. The top managment should resign in shame. Shame on you Cadbury and Kraft
on Aug 10, 2012