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  • Uber Plots B2B Logistics Expansion in India via Govt-Backed ONDC

    By expanding its collaboration with the Indian government-backed nonprofit organisations, Uber is joining India’s expanding B2B logistics market.

    Without giving a precise timeframe, the ride-hailing giant said on 19 May that it will soon introduce its B2B logistics solution through the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC).

    This platform will assist companies on the network in accessing on-demand logistics through Uber’s 1.4 million driver network. The service is intended to be extended to e-commerce, supermarkets, pharmacies, and even healthcare logistics, although it will initially allow food deliveries for companies using the open network.

    Locking Horns With Shadowfax, Shiprocket etc.

    Uber’s latest move will allow it to compete with companies like Shiprocket (funded by Temasek and PayPal), Shadowfax (supported by TPG, Qualcomm Ventures, and Eight Roads), Porter (a recent Indian unicorn), and LoadShare (backed by Tiger Global) as a logistics service provider on ONDC.

    According to media reports, it would be a white-label service that functions similarly to Uber Direct, which was introduced in the US in 2020. However, it will only be available to companies who are part of the ONDC network, TechCrunch was informed.

    Following its launch of Courier XL in Delhi NCR and Mumbai earlier this month, which enables users to deliver large items weighing up to 1,653 pounds from the company’s rider app by selecting three- and four-wheeler goods carriers, Uber is now expanding into business-to-business logistics in India. For a while now, the business has also provided its standard courier package delivery service on two-wheelers.

    Uber Exploring India’s Rapidly Expanding Logistical Sector

    Uber’s focus on logistics in general makes sense because, according to Motilal Oswal, the Indian logistics market is predicted to expand 49% from 9 trillion Indian rupees ($105 billion) in the fiscal year 2023 to 13.4 trillion Indian rupees ($157 billion) in the fiscal year 2028.

    Following a 41.1% year-over-year growth in operational revenue to $439 million in India last year, the move will help Uber make another business case in that country. According to previous year’s figures, ride receipts increased by 21.45% year over year to $94.27 million in total operating revenue.

    However, local competitors are becoming more and more formidable in the Indian ride-hailing business, including up-and-coming firms like Namma Yatri (financed by Google, Blume Ventures, and Antler) and Rapido (supported by WestBridge Capital and Nexus Ventures).

    It is anticipated that the San Francisco-based corporation will be able to keep India as a significant market by diversifying into other areas like logistics.

  • Supreme Court Rejects Telcos’ Plea for AGR Dues Waiver

    The petitions filed by Vodafone Idea (Vi), Bharti Airtel, and Tata Teleservices asking for a waiver of their long-standing adjusted gross revenue (AGR) obligations were denied by the Supreme Court on 20 May.

    As part of their AGR obligations, the telcos sought relief from the payment of interest, penalties, and interest on penalty components. A bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan referred to the plea as “misconceived” and stated that the court will not block the Centre’s decision to provide relief to these corporations. “We will not stand in your way if the government wishes to assist you,” Pardiwala stated.

    Bad News for Vodafone Idea

    According to experts, the recent decision may have serious repercussions for Vodafone Idea (Vi), which is already having difficulties. The telco has stated that without assistance, it will not be able to continue operating into FY26. Analysts speculated that it might even be on the verge of going bankrupt.

     Department of Telecommunications (DoT) officials noted that it was doubtful that the government would acquire any additional share in Vi, citing the court’s ruling on government assistance. The Bench stated that the petitions “really shocked” it. “Very uneasy. An international corporation is not expected to do that. We’ll ignore it,” the Bench noted.

     Vi, who is expected to be most affected, informed the court via senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi that the Centre is unable to save the company because of earlier rulings from the Supreme Court. “You know, all we are saying is that the government is now 50% owner of my company,” Rohatgi said to the Bench.

    However, they replied that because of the decision, we are powerless to assist. Their response is based on the Supreme Court’s ruling rather than saying, “We won’t look at your representation.”

    Government not Keen on Expanding its Stake in Vi

    Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who represented the Centre, stated, “What we have said is that, in view of the judgement of the Lordships, we cannot examine (the relief sought).” According to DoT officials, the government is not interested in increasing its holding beyond what it now has because doing so would essentially make the carrier a public sector organisation.

     According to another DoT official, Vi has already asked the DoT for relief in a number of ways, including asking it to recalculate the AGR. “But the matter has been resolved by previous rulings,” he stated.

     In a letter dated April 29, DoT most recently denied the telco’s request, claiming that the 2020 Supreme Court ruling precluded further concessions on AGR obligations. Earlier this month, Vi exchanged INR 36,950 crore in unpaid spectrum auction debt into government equity shares.

    Consequently, the Centre’s ownership stake in the telco rose from 22.6% to 48.9%. In order to retain governance and management powers, Vi modified the shareholders’ agreement earlier in May to lower the qualification criteria for promoter groups, including the UK-based Vodafone and the Aditya Birla Group.

  • Swiggy Rolls Out Corporate Rewards Programme to Woo Corporates

    To further strengthen its food delivery business, listed foodtech firm Swiggy has established a corporate rewards programme, just days after unveiling a new initiative to attract students. The CEO of Swiggy’s food marketplace segment, Rohit Kapoor, stated in a LinkedIn post that the new programme will provide corporate personnel with a number of advantages, such as lower Swiggy One membership costs and order discounts.

    Kapoor went on to say that Swiggy’s new Corporate Rewards programme truly excites him. A wealth of advantages can be accessed with just a basic email verification. Customers can receive at least INR 125 off simply by using their work email, or they can have a Swiggy One subscription that offers unlimited free deliveries for a full quarter.

    Corporate personnel will receive “a minimum of INR 125 off on food orders”, “flat INR 1,000 on top of pre-book offers”, and Swiggy One membership at “INR 30” (with “free” delivery for 3+1 months).

    Swiggy Farming New Business Strategies for Increasing Proceeds

    Kapoor offered the new product to both new hires and “senior managers planning team lunches” in his social media post. Days prior, Swiggy said that it was testing a student rewards programme on 2,000 colleges in more than 200 Indian cities.

    By July 2025, it stated that it intended to extend the programme to over 4,500 universities nationwide. The company’s larger plan to boost membership, make its meal delivery network more appealing, and raise income includes the additional products.

    The rain fee waiver for Swiggy and Zomato’s membership programmes was just discontinued. Earlier this month, the Sriharsha Majety-led company granted exclusive licenses to Bengaluru-based Kouzina Food Tech for its digital-first food brands, which include The Bowl Company (TBC), Homely, Soul Rasa, and Istah, as part of its attempts to streamline operations and reduce losses.

    This came after Swiggy removed these brands from its list because of operational issues. The slowing in the larger food delivery ecosystem is the cause of the new launches and modifications. This has affected Swiggy as well as Zomato.

    Swiggy’s Revenue Taking a Hit Owing to Aggressive Expansion

    The fierce rivalry in the rapid commerce space has made Swiggy’s issues worse. The company’s bottom line has suffered as a result of its aggressive expansion of the Swiggy Instamart dark store network.

     In the fourth quarter of FY25, the fast commerce vertical’s adjusted EBITDA loss increased 45.3% on a quarterly basis to INR 840 Cr. Swiggy’s INR 425 Cr deployment and the addition of 316 new dark stores in Q4 alone—more than the prior eight quarters combined—were the main drivers of this.

    Consequently, Swiggy’s overall net loss in Q4 FY25 soared 95% year over year to INR 1,081.18 Cr. The result has been a decline in Swiggy’s stock price. Last week, the company’s shares fell to an all-time low of INR 297 during intraday trade. On the BSE, the stock has lost about 40% of its value so far this year.

  • PaySprint Raises $3 Million in Series A to Fuel Fintech Innovation and Redefine Business Banking

    With a roaring start to FY 25-26, PaySprint sets its sights on the hockey stick curve with strategic growth in business banking and escrow infrastructure.

    PaySprint Private Limited, one of India’s fastest-growing fintech and regtech companies, had set out to raise a total of $3 million, out of which $1.2 million in the first tranche has been successfully raised. The remaining INR 15 crore is expected to follow in the second tranche, further strengthening PaySprint’s vision of building the digital infrastructure powering Bharat’s financial future.

    “This is not just a fundraise—it’s a milestone moment,” said S Anand, Founder & CEO of PaySprint. “We’ve gone from one product to powering end-to-end journeys for NBFCS, fintechs, platforms, and enterprises. With SprintNXT and our newly launched escrow stack, we’re solving problems that used to take months and multiple vendors to fix—now done in days, under one roof.”

    A Journey From One Product to an Integrated Growth Platform

    PaySprint began in Dec’2020 with a singular mission: to simplify the back-end of business banking. Over time, that vision evolved into a full-scale financial ecosystem with platforms that now serve thousands of businesses across India.

    At the centre of this growth is SprintNXT, PaySprint’s flagship Business Banking Switch, which powers:

    • Connected banking platform
    • Smart payouts and real-time collections
    • Automated reconciliation
    • Actionable financial insights

    SprintNXT has emerged as the go-to for enterprises seeking scalability, compliance, and smarter cash flow management.

    And alongside it, SprintVerify, PaySprint’s comprehensive verification engine, has become the trusted backbone for onboarding, KYC/KYB, and identity checks across PAN, Aadhaar, RC, bank accounts, and more. Providing 120+ APIS, it plays a vital role in enabling businesses to verify with speed and confidence.

    Escrow, Reimagined: The Trust Layer for Bharat’s Digital Economy

    Building on its robust foundation, PaySprint is now aiming high for the next frontier: Escrow Infrastructure. The company celebrated its fastest launch:

    • SprintEXcrow: A secure, compliant Escrow-as-a-Service platform for digital platforms, marketplaces, and lending ecosystems.
    • SprintEX-code: A physical and cloud-based software escrow platform, offering source code protection for regulated entities, ensuring compliance and business continuity.

    These offerings fill a long-standing trust gap in India’s digital economy—bringing speed, security, and regulatory comfort into transactions from day one.

    “This is how we see the future: interconnected platforms solving real problems, not fragmented tools stitched together,” added Anand. “With SprintNXT, SprintVerify, and now our Escrow Stack, PaySprint is not just offering services—we’re offering scale.”

    FY 25-26: A Roaring Start and a Smarter Future

    With this fundraise and momentum, PaySprint is setting the tone for FY 25-26. The fresh capital will be used to:

    • Deepen adoption of SprintNXT and Escrow Infrastructure
    • Expand AI capabilities for onboarding, fraud detection, and workflow automation
    • Build stronger banking and enterprise partnerships
    • Grow the product and engineering teams

    PaySprint has been consistently recognised for its innovation and leadership in the fintech space, receiving prestigious accolades such as the Best Use of Emerging Technologies – Fintech & Digital Excellence at the Bharat FinTech Summit 2025 and the Most Innovative FinTech Platform for Digital Ecosystems at the World FinTech Summit 2025-26 and more.  

    These awards reflect PaySprint’s position as an award-winning business banking leader, committed to building scalable, industry-agnostic infrastructure. Its strong partnerships with top banks and platforms further underscore its dedication to driving digital excellence across financial ecosystems.

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  • CloudSEK Bags $19 Million to Scale AI-Powered Predictive Cybersecurity

    CloudSEK, a leader in AI-powered cyber threat prediction and intelligence, has raised $19 million across its Series A2 and B1 funding rounds. The round included participation from a mix of India- and US-based investors, such as MassMutual Ventures, Inflexor Ventures, Prana Ventures, Tenacity Ventures, and select strategic investors, including Commvault. Notably, Meeran Family (founders of Eastern Group), StartupXSeed, Neon Fund and Exfinity Ventures are among CloudSEK’s earlier backers and continue to support the company’s long-term vision.

    Founded in 2015 by cybersecurity researcher-turned-entrepreneur Rahul Sasi, CloudSEK was created with a mission to build a safer digital future by proactively predicting and mitigating cyber threats. What began as a research-driven initiative has since evolved into one of the industry’s most trusted threat intelligence platforms, serving 250+ enterprises across banking, healthcare, technology, and the public sector.

    The newly raised capital will fuel CloudSEK’s continued product innovation and global expansion, with a focus on advancing its AI models and platform integrations. Unlike traditional tools that respond after an incident, CloudSEK identifies Initial Attack Vectors (IAVs)—the earliest signs of a potential breach, such as leaked credentials, exposed APIs, or compromised vendors.

    “We built CloudSEK to predict the initial attack vector and stop threats before they hit the headlines with the goal of preventing threats before they escalate.” said Rahul Sasi, Co-founder & CEO of CloudSEK.

    “Unlike conventional threat intelligence that focuses on indicators of compromise after an attack, our platform detects the earliest signals—leaked credentials, exposed APIs, compromised vendors—weeks before an incident unfolds. That’s our version of threat intelligence: predictive, not forensic.”

    “Today, over 60% of our net new revenue comes from international markets, with the U.S. emerging as our fastest-growing region. We’ve achieved this scale while staying cash flow positive. This round—backed by top financial and strategic investors—not only validates our vision but reinforces what we’ve believed from day one: cybersecurity must be proactive, not reactive,” Rahul Sasi added.

    CloudSEK’s differentiated approach has resonated globally, earning the company a 4.8-star rating on Gartner Peer Insights across 195 reviews, making it one of the most recommended vendors in the cybersecurity space.

    “Early visibility into threats is no longer optional. CloudSEK’s predictive intelligence helps enterprises take control of the narrative—before attackers do,” said Dr. Durga Dube, CISO of a Fortune Global 100 company.

    “CloudSEK has created a great product based on cutting-edge AI, appropriate for the security needs of top global companies. Tenacity is excited about backing and working closely with Rahul and his team to help build a great global technology product company from India.”
    — Rohit Razdan, Partner, Tenacity Ventures

    “CloudSEK has grown 3x in ARR over the last 24 months and continues to grow well above industry standards,” said Kalyan Kumar Vattipalli, VP of Finance at CloudSEK.

    “The round attracted significant interest from global financial investors, and we will soon be announcing Series B2 as an extension of B1, both to onboard new investors and to facilitate partial exits for some of our early backers.”

    With this funding and a strategic investor on board, CloudSEK is doubling down on its vision to make predictive threat intelligence a global cybersecurity standard for —empowering organizations to stay ahead of increasingly sophisticated threat actors.

    About CloudSEK

    CloudSEK is a contextual AI company that predicts Cyber Threats. Its Cloud SaaS platform constantly seeks security solutions for the customers’ digital risks.

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  • Sridhar Vembu’s Candid Warning: Software Engineering Salaries Aren’t a Birthright Amid AI Disruption

    Sridhar Vembu, the founder and Chief Scientist of Zoho, recently took to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to offer a sobering perspective on the tech industry, warning software professionals not to assume their current advantages will last forever. His comments have since sparked widespread discussion, echoing across industry forums and social media alike.

    “The fact that software engineers get paid better than mechanical engineers or civil engineers or chemists or school teachers is not some birthright and we cannot take that for granted,” Vembu wrote.

    The message was clear: the industry is changing, and assumptions about job security, industry dominance, and pay scales may no longer hold in the era of AI and automation.

    An Era of Rapid Disruption

    Vembu’s comments come at a time when Large Language Models (LLMs), like OpenAI’s GPT and other generative AI tools, are reshaping the productivity dynamics of software development. He cautioned:

    “The productivity revolution I see coming to software development (LLMs + tooling) could destroy a lot of software jobs. This is sobering but necessary to internalise.”

    This warning is not just about technology replacing tasks, it is about becoming too comfortable. Drawing from Andy Grove’s famous quote, Vembu reiterated: “Only the paranoid survive.” (Grove was a Hungarian-American businessman and engineer who served as the third CEO of Intel Corporation.)

    Reactions from the Community

    Several users responded to Vembu’s post, echoing similar concerns. One user remarked that many people wrongly assume software jobs will always be secure, even as AI makes development faster and more accessible. Another user commented that engineers must abandon the mindset that coding is a highly complex task reserved only for experts because, in some areas, AI can now do it more effectively.

    There were also thoughtful opinions. One commenter pointed out that software engineers are paid for scale, you fix a bug, and a million people have a better experience. That level of impact isn’t easily achievable in most other professions. Others suggested that domain-specific developers who understand business context will continue to be highly valuable.

    However, not all responses were in agreement. One voice raised concern about this messaging being used as “propaganda” to encourage longer working hours for less pay, reflecting a broader worry about how productivity gains are shared.


    A Necessary Reality Check

    Sridhar Vembu’s message is less of a warning and more of a reality check for the tech industry. In an age where AI is democratising access to technical skills, engineers and knowledge workers must shift their focus from rote execution to high-value, context-aware problem solving.

    The future may not be bleak, but it certainly will be different, and only those who remain adaptable and humble may truly thrive.

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  • Scheme to Boost Electronic Component Production Draws 70 Applications

    According to reports, the government has received 70 applications for its project to manufacture electronics components worth INR 22,919 Cr. The development was confirmed by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who also noted that small and medium-sized businesses make up the majority of the applications.

    Vaishnaw informed a news source that the plan to manufacture electronics components has been well appreciated. About 70 applications have been received in the 15 days after the application was opened.

    This production-linked incentive (PLI) programme for non-semiconductor electronics components was approved by the union cabinet in March. The plan is to draw in INR 59,350 Cr in investment, which will lead to INR 4,56,500 Cr in output and the creation of 91,600 new direct jobs in addition to numerous indirect positions. With a one-year gestation period, the system has a six-year duration.

    A portion of the incentive’s payout is also correlated with meeting employment goals. The government stated when the plan was approved that it offers Indian manufacturers unique incentives designed to help them overcome particular obstacles for different types of parts and sub-assemblies, enabling them to develop technological capabilities and realise economies of scale.

    Scheme will Benefit Various Sector

    The initiative is expected to help industries like telecommunications, consumer electronics, automotive, and medical devices. Vaishnaw also announced last month that the scheme’s online portal would soon be activated and that the guidelines had been finalised.

    Global manufacturers Foxconn, Tata Electronics, Zetwerk, and Dixon are reportedly considering investments in India via the PLI scheme, despite the fact that the initiative’s investors have not been made public. These multinational corporations are planning their manufacturing hubs in collaboration with various states.

    For example, Foxconn, Apple’s biggest contract manufacturer, has already established a display module assembly facility in Tamil Nadu and begun conducting trial runs. Additionally, the “Tamil Nadu Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS)” was introduced a few weeks ago by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin. This plan seeks to create 60,000 jobs in the state and draw in investments of INR 30,000 Cr.

    Gujarat and UP Scaling Up Efforts to Lead the Race

    According to various media reports, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh are also vying to become major centres for the production of electronics. Uttar Pradesh is working on a draft policy that might be finished in a few weeks, while Gujarat has presented a draft policy to encourage and expand the manufacturing of electronics components.

    Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated during her 2025–2026 budget speech that the government is prepared to provide the local electronics equipment industry with a much-needed boost. India produced electronics worth INR 9.52 Lakh Cr in FY24 compared to INR 1.90 Lakh Cr in FY15, according to the Economic Survey 2024–25.

  • Libas Partners with Zepto for 10-Minute Fashion Delivery in 50+ Cities

    Libas, India’s leading ultra-fast fashion brand, is taking quick commerce to the next level with its launch on Zepto, offering delivery of its signature styles in just 10–12 minutes. With this move, Libas continues to strengthen its digital-first strategy and make fashion more accessible and instant for today’s fast-paced consumers.

    With availability in 50 cities, including key metropolitan hubs such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad, the launch brings a curated selection of Libas’ best-selling kurta sets, co-ord sets, and everyday fashion essentials to Zepto’s platform. This collaboration leverages Zepto’s robust hyperlocal delivery network and Libas’ high-demand product range to offer consumers a seamless, on-demand fashion experience.

    “At Libas, we’re constantly reimagining how fashion fits into the lives of modern Indian women. Our launch on Zepto is more than just fast delivery—it’s about empowering our customers with instant access to style, no matter the occasion. We’re excited to be among the first fashion brands in India to embrace quick commerce at this scale,” said Sidhant Keshwani, Founder & CEO, Libas.

    Devendra Meel, Chief Business Officer, Zepto, shared, “Our mission has always been to make lives easier—this time, we’re bringing that promise to your wardrobe. Fast fashion isn’t just a trend—it’s now a timeline and we are glad to have Libas trust Zepto to reach their customers.”

    To mark the tie-up, the two brands have launched a snappy, relatable brand film capturing the age-old chaos of outfit planning, now fixed at the tap of a button. Because let’s face it, if your food and makeup can arrive in 10 minutes, why not your kurta too?

    This partnership is a nod to today’s fast-moving lifestyle, where spontaneity rules and planning is passé. Whether you forgot about that puja invite or just found out your bestie’s sangeet is tonight, Zepto and Libas have your back (and your outfit).


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  • IPO-Bound SAEL to Spark Solar Surge with INR 5,000 Cr UP Mega Plant

    In order to take advantage of government rules that promote local suppliers in the renewable energy sector, SAEL plans to invest INR 5,000 crore to build a solar cell manufacturing plant in Uttar Pradesh with an annual capacity of 5 GW.

    Chief executive Laxit Awla told a media house in an interview that the Delhi-based IPO-bound company wants to establish an integrated solar cell and module manufacturing plant that can generate 5 gigawatts (GW) of solar cells a year.

    According to Awla, the company would start the cell production project implementation in the next months. It will have a manufacturing capability of about 5 GW for solar cells. In Rajasthan, we manufacture modules. Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh will host this. Therefore, an estimated INR 5,000 crore needs to be invested.

    Indian Government Pushing for Expanding Usage of Renewable Energy

    With effect from June 2026, the Union government has added solar cells to the list of manufacturers and models that the Ministry of Renewable Energy has approved. This basically means that only providers on the list are permitted to provide solar cells for projects that are supported by the government.

    Currently, SAEL employs over 1,500 people at its 3 GW facility in Rajasthan, which produces solar modules, which are panels of connected solar cells, and another 0.3 GW plant in Punjab. According to Awla, it has already spent INR 600 crore on capital expenditures for module manufacture.

    According to Awla, SAEL would also consider producing wafers and ingots, two more parts used in the production of solar modules, based on domestic market demands and governmental regulations.

    SAEL Expanding its Network in the Domestic Market

    In addition to producing solar cells and modules, SAEL intends to increase its total solar-based power-generation capacity to roughly 15 GW over the next four years by adding at least 8 GW of battery-integrated solar capacity. At the moment, it exceeds 6.5 gigawatts. In the next three to four years, we anticipate having a committed capacity of 15 GW,” Awla stated, adding that SAEL’s solar projects would eventually be linked with battery energy storage systems.

    With 11 biomass plants spread across Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan, SAEL is also active in the waste-to-energy sector. Together, these plants have a 165 MW paddy-to-energy producing capacity. Private sector behemoths like Tata Power Ltd., Reliance Power Ltd., ReNew Energy Global Plc., and Semicorp Industries compete with SAEL in the entire renewable energy market.

    Higher margins from its recently commissioned solar cell manufacturing facility contributed to Tata Power’s fourth-quarter operational earnings, which increased by almost 40% year over year last week.

    The state-run SJVN Ltd held a competitive bidding process last week, and Reliance NU Energy, a subsidiary of Reliance Power, announced that it had won a 350 MW solar power project combined with a 175 MW/700 MWh battery energy storage system.

    In order to create Asia’s largest single-location integrated solar and battery energy storage system project, Reliance NU Suntech, another Reliance Power company, and the state-run Solar Energy Corporation of India signed a 25-year power purchase deal earlier in May.

  • Ratan Tata’s Aide Mohini Dutta Inherits INR 588 Crore in Will Dispute Twist

    According to a media report, Mohini Mohan Dutta, a former director of the Taj chain of hotels and a close friend of Ratan Tata, has accepted the conditions of the late businessman’s will. A third of Tata’s remaining estate, valued at approximately INR 588 crore, was left to Dutta.

     The executors of Tata’s will can proceed with obtaining probate from the Bombay High Court now that Mohini Dutta’s approval is on file. Out of over two dozen recipients, Dutta, 77, was the only one to voice concerns about the value of his share.

    Ratan Tata’s half-sisters, Deanna Jejeebhoy, 70, and Shireen Jejeebhoy, 72, have been awarded the remaining two-thirds of his residual assets, excluding real estate and stock interests. Additionally, both women are acting as the will’s executors.

    Reason Behind Dutta’s Acceptance

    Dutta could not legally contest the will, even though he had argued with the executors over the amount of his inheritance. According to the report, a no-contest clause prevented any recipient from contesting its terms for fear of losing their claim.

    On March 27, the executors submitted a petition to probate the will. Later, the Bombay High Court ordered them to release a public notice asking any non-consenting legal heirs to object. They also filed an originating summons on April 9, which is a legal procedure used to handle issues pertaining to the will and its beneficiaries.

    The only recipient outside the Tata family to receive such a substantial portion is Dutta. He was refused entry to Tata’s Halekai home in Colaba, where he had attempted to examine a number of priceless things that had been given to him, including a Ganesh idol.

    According to the article, all of Tata’s personal belongings are currently in the hands of the executors. Since inheritances are not taxable in India, Dutta won’t be subject to estate tax after the court granted probate.

    Dutta Shares a Firm Personal and Professional Bond with Ratan Tata

    For more than 60 years, Dutta and Ratan Tata had a close personal and business relationship. He remembered meeting Tata when he was 13 and Tata was 25 at the Dealers Hostel in Jamshedpur.

    Afterwards, Dutta relocated to Mumbai and took up residence in Tata’s Bakhtawar home in Colaba. Regarding Tata’s impact on his life, Dutta has stated, “He really built me up.” Before starting Stallion Travel Services in 1986 with assistance from Tata Industries, Dutta started his career at the Taj travel desk.

    After Stallion and a Taj Hotels subsidiary combined in 2006, Dutta was named a director of the new company, Inditravel. He rose to become one of the Taj Group’s highest-paid CEOs.

    The travel company was acquired by Tata Capital in 2015, and then in 2017 Thomas Cook India purchased it. Until the company was merged with Thomas Cook in 2019, Dutta remained on the board.