Delhi High Court allows Vivo to operate its bank accounts if it’s ready to furnish a ₹950 crore bank guarantee

• The Delhi High Court has allowed Vivo to operate its bank accounts in the country.
• The Enforcement Directorate had blocked Vivo’s 119 accounts as part of its investigation against Vivo.
• The Delhi High Court has ordered Vivo to furnish a bank guarantee of ₹950 crore and maintain a bank balance of ₹251 crore.

In a major relief to Chinese smartphone maker Vivo, the Delhi High Court has allowed the company to operate its bank accounts in the country. The Enforcement Directorate (ED), the country’s financial watchdog, had raided the premises of Vivo and its associates.

The ED had claimed that Vivo had transferred ₹62,476 crore to its parent company in China over a five-year period to avoid paying taxes in the country. The agency had also accused the company of violating the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

As part of its investigation, ED had blocked 119 accounts containing ₹465 crore. Soon after this, Vivo approached the Delhi High Court, challenging the freezing of its bank accounts under PMLA.

"Monthly payments of around ₹2,826 crore have to be made towards statutory dues, salaries, rent, and monies for daily business operations. Due to the freezing of the bank accounts, the petitioner will be unable to honor its aforesaid obligations not only towards various statutory authorities but also towards its employees and customers," Vivo had said in its petition.

The Delhi High Court today allowed Vivo to operate its bank accounts in the country and asked the company to furnish a bank guarantee of ₹950 crore. Further, the court also ordered the company to maintain a balance of ₹251 crore.

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