Centre asks NFRA to probe into Infy

New Delhi: Troubles continue to mount for Infosys as US market regulator SEC has initiated a probe on whistleblower complaints that alleged "unethical practices" by top management of the Bengaluru-based IT major.

Back home, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has also sought additional information from the company, while the National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) - which is part of the corporate affairs ministry - has been asked to look into the matter.

Leading exchange BSE on Wednesday also asked Infosys to explain why it did not make a disclosure about the whistleblower complaint.

In its response to the BSE on Thursday, Infosys said, "The company has been in touch with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding the anonymous whistleblower complaints (anonymous complaints) and has learnt that the SEC has initiated an investigation into this matter. The company will cooperate with the SEC's investigation".

Also, Sebi has requested additional information from the company concerning the anonymous complaints, and Infosys will provide the information as per its request, it added.

Infosys said it is also "aware of a securities class action lawsuit" that has been filed against the company in federal court in the US, based on the generalised allegations in the anonymous complaints.

"The company intends to defend itself vigorously in such a lawsuit," it added. US-based Rosen Law Firm had previously said it was preparing a class action lawsuit to recover losses suffered by Infosys investors in the US.

Following reports of whistleblower allegations on Monday, Infosys had informed stock exchanges of having received anonymous whistleblower complaints alleging certain unethical practices.

Infosys - which is India's second largest IT services firm after Tata Consultancy Services - had said these had been placed before the audit committee.

On Tuesday, in a more detailed statement, Infosys Chairman Nandan Nilekani said the whistleblower complaint dated September 20 as well as an undated complaint had been received by one of the board members on September 30.

These were placed before the audit committee on October 10, and to the company's non-executive board members on October 11 (also the day when Infosys announced its second quarter results).