India’s competition watchdog has raided offices of Pernod Ricard and Anheuser-Busch InBev, reportedly investigating claims of collusion with retailers over price.
According to Reutersvisited the Competition Commission of India (CCI) offices in the southern city of Hyderabad in Telangana state. Unnamed sources also said news agency officials had raided retailers in the same state.
Just drinks approached both beverage multinationals for comment.
Pernod Ricard said: “As a responsible corporate citizen, we comply with Indian laws. We are cooperating with the appropriate authorities in this matter and trust that they will demonstrate our good faith and compliance.”
Last year, Reuters reported that Pernod Ricard was facing an antitrust investigation in India following a complaint to the country’s competition watchdog from domestic drinks maker Radico Khaitan.
A spokesperson for AB InBev’s India operations added: “While we cannot comment on the details, we take antitrust compliance very seriously. We are working together in collaboration with the authorities.”
Last week, Pernod Ricard refused to be swayed by reports that the French major in the spirits department further north in Rajasthan had sacked staff following an internal investigation into alleged misconduct.
Earlier this month, Reuters also reported that three Pernod Ricard executives allegedly violated the now-defunct Delhi excise policy.
In a statement at the time, the Beefeater distiller denied the allegations. It added: “We further deny any inconsistency in our position. We have always maintained that there has been no misconduct by our employees.”
Pernod Ricard continues to invest in India. In February, the company announced that it had signed a Memorandum of Understanding for a malt distillery in the state of Maharashtra.
The distillery, in Nagpur’s industrial suburb of Butibori, is expected to take at least three years to complete and will produce Pernod Ricard’s Indian whiskey brands such as the Longitude77 range.
“Pernod, AB InBev offices robbed in India” was originally created and published by Just Drinks, a brand owned by GlobalData.
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