Condemning the arrest of Amway India MD & CEO William Scott Pinckney, Ficci today said the "uncalled" for action may hit Indo-US business ties, while re-emphasising the need for a clear and independent regulatory framework for the direct selling industry in India.
"Ficci is aggrieved and shocked at the sudden arrest of William Bill Pinckney by the Andhra Pradesh police. We condemn this arrest. This move has been initiated by a consumer complaint and could have been easily addressed as a consumer redressal since there was no criminality involved," Ficci Secretary General A Didar Singh said.
"We have been persistently asking for a clear and independent regulatory framework for the direct selling industry in India. This uncalled action might also have an adverse impact on India-US business relationship," he added.
Pinckney, who was arrested by Kerala Police last year as well along with two directors under similar circumstances, was today placed under arrest by the Andhra Pradesh police in connection with a complaint against the direct-selling firm under the Prize Chits and Money Circulation Schemes (Banning) Act, (PCMCS).
The case in which the action has been taken was filed in December, but the company said that it had no prior information on it.
Direct selling firm Amway India termed the arrest of its Pinckney as an "unwarranted act" on "frivolous" charges that gave "a misleading impression" about its business.
"We are aggrieved and shocked at the sudden and unwarranted act of detention of our official," Amway India said in a statement.
He was apprehended in Gurgoan yesterday and was brought to Kurnool on a warrant. The arrest was based on a complaint alleging unethical circulation of money through Amway's operations.
