The board's evaluation of the internal governance process following the Kotak episode, according to BharatPe CEO Suhail Sameer, should be concluded by March 31, when Co-founder Ashneer Grover's voluntary leave of absence ends. "This isn't an review of Ashneer; it's a review of internal governance by the board," Sameer explained. He added, "The board will deliberate and reach a unanimous decision."
With the current issue involving its founder Ashneer Grover's personal conduct with a Kotak executive, which resulted in his leave of absence until March 31, BharatPe is in the middle of a storm. In an exclusive interview with Nisha Poddar, BharatPe CEO Suhail Sameer says the board is unanimous in taking action on the situation and that the board's examination of internal governance mechanisms should be finished by March 31, when Grover's leave of absence ends.
Ashneer Grover, a 39-year-old IIT Delhi, and IIM Ahmedabad alumnus have a reputation for being an outspoken figure in India's startup Shark Tank India scene. Last year, he publicly remarked that Paytm's IPO, a fellow financial startup, was expensive. However, for admonishing entrepreneurs on the reality TV show Shark Tank India, his candor has gotten him a lot of backlash on social media.