Trouble is mounting for audit firms as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) issued summons to senior executives of Deloitte Haskins and Sells in connection with an ongoing money laundering probe against Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS). According to enforcement sleuths, audit firms and auditors are likely to be called for probe soon.
Confirming the development, an ED official said Deloitte’s senior management was asked to appear before the agency on June 12. “We have asked the audit firm to get relevant documents required in the case and indicated that all the related firms and individuals will be rounded up.”
Sources said those likely to be rounded up would include former auditors of IL&FS and its subsidiaries. An email sent to Deloitte remained unanswered.
The move comes after the ministry of corporate affairs (MCA) launched a prosecution against Deloitte Haskins and Sells as well as BSR and Associates LLP and their former auditors for their alleged role in perpetuating the fraud at IFIN, a subsidiary of IL&FS.
The ministry also recommended debarment of these audit firms and their audit partners. It sought interim attachment of their properties, including bank accounts and lockers.
ED is examining the charges put up against the audit firm in the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) prosecution complaint, filed last week. “We are currently looking at all aspects that led to a fraud in the company. The agency will examine the role of auditors in the proceeds of crime and the complex structure allegedly created so that a fund could be easily siphoned off,” said the official.Last month, enforcement sleuths conducted search operations at the business premises and residences of four former directors at IFIN.
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