DHRUMI GADA

Carried out an investigation for a leading IMFL company engaged in manufacturing, marketing and sale of alcoholic beverages in India in which an email review exercise was performed to identify issues pertaining to vendor kickbacks in the procurement process and capital expenditure; fabricated quotations of vendors, and fictitious vendors / sellers. Further, drafted a criminal complaint under the various sections of IPC for various employees of the company who were involved in the abovementioned issues according to the statements given by them to the forensic team, to assist the client for taking criminal action against them. Assisted in an investigation assignment which required extensive background search for employees of a leading entity in the pharmaceutical sector and carried out document review and data analysis. Worked on an fraud risk management (advisory) engagement where she has prepared training decks for delivering training workshops on the prevention of sexual harassment policy to the employees of the client involved in operations of conducting pre - employment screening which includes criminal checks, credit worthiness, education and employment verification. Formed a part of an investigation relating to a company, a manufacturer of branded chocolate and confectionery products and performed document review to validate the veracity of the distributors of the client as well as made covert calls to them. Conducted a FITA engagement with respect to one of the reputed Indian airlines, wherein fraud risk assessment and risk analysis for the passenger revenue process, commission cost process, payroll process and cargo revenue process was held. Assisted to set up the draft questionnaire for the KPMG Fraud Survey 2017. Conducted review and identification of digital footprints indicating potential instances of anti-trust, bribery and corruption for an ethics committee of a market leader in the bearings industry in India which was in receipt of a whistleblower complaint alleging employees. Assisted the team in a Project-Procurement-Related-Review of an international finance institution dedicated to reducing poverty in nations through loans, and helped in conducting proactive integrity reviews to help prevent and detect integrity violations of the client bank. The work consisted of identifying whether the procurement of project goods, works and services complied with the clients guidelines and relevant agreements, determine whether contracts were implemented according to their terms, ensure the banks funds were used for their intended purposes and also recommended improvements for internal controls to mitigate opportunities for fraud, corruption or abuse in the clients financed projects. Carried out an engagement for one of the largest F&B operators in the travel retail segment and a leading global beverage can-maker company, consisting of investigation and document review to check for empanelling of fake vendors, related vendors, and procurement of services/products at inflated prices.

Worked with the IPR team on a matter of criminal raids under the Trademark Act, 1999 and Copyright Act, 1957. Assisted in drafting a non-disclosure agreement for the Company and one of its clients.

Worked with the competition group on a case involving an airport authority and researched English cases relating to the same scenario. Drafted a scheme manual for the retail sector as to procedure for certifying the various retail bodies, list of committees involved, procedure, compliances and penalty. Researched on whether a subsequent transferee can assert the defenses in a case of law, even if the initial transferee did not raise those defenses. Researched a specific point under the Maharashtra Relief Undertakings (Special Provisions) Act, 1958. Researched as to how does one create a pari-passu pledge in a DEMAT account, when a pledge balance is already existing with respect to another pledgee in the beneficiary owners account. Also, researched whether there are any case laws on the point that the Depository Act is only procedural in matter, and there with regards to pledge, only the substantial law, that is the Indian Contract Act will prevail. Prepared a memorandum on various fraud risks involved in the real estate sector if a foreign investor wants to invest in this particular sector in India. Pulled out the minutes of the FACCI meetings and researched whether there are any Acts/ Rules/ regulations/ Guidelines/ Ordinances regarding energy drinks or caffeinated beverages for the year 2014. Researched on various permissions involved from various authorities in a Roadways Project.

Presented a PowerPoint presentation on the issues which will be faced by the Companies due to the new SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure requirements) Regulations, 2015. Drafted a transaction note on a reverse merger and also pointed out loopholes under a non-binding term sheet for an investment by a Singapore Company in an Indian Company and then redrafted it.

Worked with the patent department on a case related to the National Bio-diversity Authority and on a case related to the opposition proceedings of a particular trademark which has been abandoned. Researched as to whether the NBA is bound by precedents of the NGT and whether making of an application to NBA or a quasi-judicial body amount to submission to its jurisdiction. Researched on whether an SSI unit can file winding up proceedings against a company guilty of debt repayment under the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (MSMED) Act, 2006. Drafted: (i) a cease and desist notice with regards to copyright infringement of a clients website; and (ii) a reply to the client in regard to rejection of the TM-1.

Researched on licenses and permits required for a company to enter into the Medical Device Industry, Contract Labour regulations in different states, Tamil Nadu Shops and Establishments Act, Drugs and Cosmetics Act, Companies Act, 1956 Contract Law, Limitation Law, Copyright Law and Trademark Law. Researched on trade dress and various US, UK and Indian case laws related to it. Also, researched the whether the change of a language of a software programme (for e.g. from C+ to C++) would amount to translation. Conducted various trademark searches for different classes and made reports. Researched on issues related to the Indian Copyright Act, 1957 and the Indian Succession Act, 1925. Researched on various aspects Competition law with emphasis on tie-in agreements, drug cartels, relevant market applicable, and non-compete clauses in agreements. Compared the Arbitration and Conciliation Act 1996, and Arbitration and Conciliation Bill, 2015 and reviewed the proposed amendments of the law commission that were incorporated by the Government.

Observed the proceedings at the Bombay High Court, and the Securities Appellate Tribunal. Researched for various matters pertaining to Securities Laws, Foreign Exchange Laws, Company Law, Trademark Law, Indian Contract Act, 1872, FEMA 1999, Development Control Regulations, 1991 and Civil Procedure Code, 1908.

Conducted due-diligence, identified issues and assisted in preparing the due-diligence report. Researched on various case laws pertaining to matters of the Company Law, Law of Evidence, Law of Contracts, Development Control Regulations, Leave and License Agreements, Joint Venture, Partnership, Securities Law, and Sensitive Personal Data Rules. Researched on the various impending developments, acts, bills or proposals in the Parliament which may affect the setting up of a business or a joint venture in India.