WALMART INDIA PVT LTD Vs. CENTRAL VIGILANCE COMMISSION

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Walmart India Private Limited (hereafter 'WIPL') has filed the present petition, inter alia, praying that the inquiry being conducted by the Central Vigilance Commission (hereafter 'CVC') in terms of summons dated 29.10.2015 and letters dated 16.11.2015 and 29.03.2016 be set aside. The CVC had initiated an inquiry on the basis of a news report published in The Wall Street Journal on 19.10.2015 and in other newspapers, wherein it was reported that an investigation into the allegations of corruption regarding Walmart Stores Inc.'s operation in Mexico had found certain evidence of bribery in India.

(2.) The principal controversy involved in the present petition is whether the CVC has the jurisdiction to conduct an inquiry under Section 8 of the Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003 (hereafter 'the CVC Act') on the basis of a newspaper report, which is bereft of any particulars. Factual Background

(3.) Wipl is a company incorporated under the Companies Act, 1956 and owns and operates best price modern wholesale stores - twenty one in number - in nine states across India. WIPL is a wholly owned subsidiary of Walmart Stores Inc. (hereafter 'Walmart').