What we check
| Area | Sources | What it can reveal |
|---|---|---|
| Directorships | MCA director records (DIN) | Every company they run or ran — including struck-off, defaulting or related-party entities |
| Disqualification & regulatory action | MCA disqualified-director data, SEBI orders and debarment lists, RBI and other regulator actions | Directors barred from boards, market bans, regulatory penalties |
| Insolvency | IBBI and NCLT records | Companies in insolvency, personal guarantee proceedings |
| Litigation | Public court records, coordinated with your Indian counsel | Fraud, cheque-bounce, tax and commercial disputes |
| Sanctions & PEP | International sanctions lists; politically exposed person indicators | Sanctions exposure, government links relevant to anti-bribery rules |
| Adverse media | Indian and international news archives | Allegations, investigations, reputation issues |
When it matters most
- Joint ventures and shareholder agreements — see the JV guide.
- Distributors and agents who will deal with government customers — your FCPA, Bribery Act or Australian procedures.
- Investments and acquisitions — alongside financial, tax and FEMA due diligence.
- Large prepayments to suppliers.
Privacy and consent
We check public records relevant to your decision, under your written mandate, and handle personal data in line with India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act. In investment and JV deals, promoters commonly consent to background checks as part of diligence — we recommend asking. We do not carry out covert surveillance or access non-public records.
India’s own rules: anti-bribery law for foreign companies.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check the background of an Indian company's directors?
Review their directorships through MCA director records, check disqualification and regulatory lists (MCA, SEBI, RBI), insolvency records (IBBI, NCLT), public court records, sanctions lists and adverse media — or commission a CA-led integrity check that does this and reports the findings.
Is it legal to do background checks on Indian promoters?
Checking public records for a legitimate business decision is common in due diligence. Personal data must be handled in line with India's Digital Personal Data Protection Act, and in investment or JV deals promoters often consent to checks.
What is integrity due diligence?
A review of the people behind a company — their business history, regulatory and legal record, sanctions exposure, government links and reputation — usually alongside financial due diligence.