Byju Raveendran Faces Charges Of Witness Tampering In U.S. Bankruptcy Case

India-West News Desk

OMAHA, NE – Byju Raveendran, founder of the embattled ed-tech firm Byju’s, faces allegations of witness tampering alongside claims of financial misconduct as he fights to regain control of his struggling business empire.

According to a Bloomberg report, Nebraska businessman William R. Hailer, a key figure in the case, told the court that Raveendran sent him a $10,700 plane ticket to Dubai just days before he was scheduled to testify in federal court. Hailer also testified that Raveendran offered him $500,000 in what prosecutors suggested could be an attempt to influence his testimony. The revelation prompted U.S. Bankruptcy Judge John T. Dorsey to signal that the allegations might warrant a federal investigation.

Hailer’s testimony is part of a broader case involving Raveendran’s alleged diversion of millions in loan proceeds. Court filings reveal that Raveendran transferred funds to OCI Ltd, a UK-based logistics company, while claiming the money had already been spent. Bloomberg reports that Raveendran subsequently enlisted Hailer, a former political consultant, to help buy out U.S. creditors owed over $1.2 billion.

In one instance, Raveendran allegedly wired $11.25 million to Rose Lake Inc., a company managed by Hailer, to create the appearance of financial stability for creditors. Hailer testified that the funds were intended to be returned to Raveendran after serving their purpose.

While Raveendran denies any wrongdoing, insisting his actions were a defense against aggressive creditor tactics, lenders have accused him of hiding $533 million in loan proceeds. The legal battles span both U.S. and Indian courts, with a court-appointed administrator in India currently overseeing efforts to raise funds to repay Byju’s debts.

These new allegations of witness tampering could deepen the scrutiny on Raveendran as he fights to salvage his troubled ed-tech empire.