The Satyam scam, also known as the Satyam scandal, was a major accounting scandal that took place in India in 2009. It was one of the largest accounting scandals in Indian history, with a loss of $1.5 billion.

Key events:

• 2001: Raju Sriram, founder of Satyam Computer Services, begins diverting company funds to his own personal use.
• 2008: Auditors raise concerns about Satyam’s accounting practices, but these are ignored.
• 2009: The scandal is uncovered when a whistleblower named B.S. Murthy sends an email to the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
• 2010: Sriram is arrested and charged with accounting fraud, criminal conspiracy, and fabricating financial statements. He is later convicted and sentenced to a 21-year prison sentence.

Impact:

• Loss of investor confidence: The Satyam scandal shook investor confidence in the Indian stock market.
• Economic damage: The scandal had a negative impact on the Indian economy, causing a decline in the stock market and a loss of confidence in the banking system.
• Social embarrassment: The Satyam scandal was a major embarrassment for India. It was seen as a symbol of the country’s corruption and lack of corporate governance.

Lessons learned:

• The need for strong corporate governance: The Satyam scandal highlighted the need for stronger corporate governance in India.
• The importance of whistleblower protection: The scandal also highlighted the importance of whistleblower protection.
• The need for vigilance: The scandal showed that even large and well-established companies can be vulnerable to corruption and fraud.

Legacy:

The Satyam scam continues to have a lasting legacy in India. It has led to changes in accounting regulations and the establishment of new whistleblower protection laws. The scandal also led to the passage of the Companies Act, which aims to improve corporate governance in India.