SFIO finalising report into alleged fraud at Reebok

The Serious Fraud Investigation Officer (SFIO) is finalising its report into the alleged financial irregularities at sportswear maker Reebok India.

"SFIO is looking at the case more from the technical violations (view) and observance of the corporate law view point... They are finalising the report," Corporate Affairs Secretary Naved Masood said.

The case relates to alleged financial irregularities at the sportswear maker. Reebok India in its first information report (FIR) filed last year had alleged financial fraud to the tune of Rs 870 crore at the company.

When asked about the delay in finalising the SFIO report, Masood said: "It is not a question of looking at the delay but looking at all possible issues so that the final outcome is watertight".

SFIO comes under the Corporate Affairs Ministry.

Last year, Reebok India had filed an FIR alleging fraud by its former Managing Director Subhinder Singh Prem and Vishnu Bhagat. Both of them have denied the charges.

Earlier this month, German sportswear giant Adidas had said its balance sheet for 2011 is negatively impacted by euro 153 million (over Rs 1,090 crore) due to 'commercial irregularities' at its arm Reebok India Co.

The company had in April last year stated that the estimated maximum negative impact due to the alleged fraud by its two top executives at Reebok India, could be up to a pre-tax amount of 125 million euros.