Anti CorruptionIndia
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Anti Corruption

India anti corruption compliance FCPA and UK Bribery Act

FCPA, UK Bribery Act and Indian Prevention of Corruption Act compliance programme design, third party due diligence, agent and intermediary management, internal controls and investigation response for foreign companies with India operations.

Counsel that connects the technical, the commercial, and the legal, across ten offices in India.
FCPA
US Law
UKBA
UK Law
PCA
India Law
10
India Offices
01

Applicable anti corruption laws

  • US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA): anti bribery and accounting provisions applicable to issuers, domestic concerns and their agents worldwide.
  • UK Bribery Act 2010: offences of bribing, being bribed, bribing foreign public officials and failure to prevent bribery by commercial organisations.
  • Indian Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (amended 2018): criminalises bribery of public servants and commercial organisations giving undue advantage.
  • Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act: implications of property acquired through proceeds of corruption.
02

Compliance programme for India operations

  • Risk assessment: mapping corruption risk across government interface touchpoints (permits, licences, customs, tax assessments, inspections).
  • Third party due diligence: agents, distributors, consultants, customs brokers and government relations intermediaries.
  • Gifts, hospitality and travel: policy limits aligned with FCPA DOJ guidance, UK SFO guidance and Indian PCA thresholds.
  • Internal controls: segregation of duties, approval workflows, petty cash management and vendor payment procedures.
03

Investigation and enforcement response

  • Internal investigation protocol: privilege, document preservation, forensics and interview procedures.
  • Voluntary disclosure considerations: FCPA (DOJ and SEC), UK SFO self reporting and Indian CBI/CVC reporting.
  • Employee disciplinary proceedings and whistle blower protection.
  • Regulatory cooperation and settlement negotiation strategy.
04

How AMLEGALS assists

  • India specific anti corruption compliance programme design and implementation.
  • Third party and agent due diligence for India intermediaries.
  • Internal investigation management and regulatory interface.
  • Training and awareness programmes for India based employees and agents.
Answers

What clients ask before they commit.

Short, direct, on the record.

01Does the FCPA apply to a foreign company operations in India?

Yes, if the company is an issuer (listed on US exchanges or filing reports with SEC), a domestic concern (US entity or person), or an agent acting on behalf of either. Additionally, any entity that causes an act in furtherance of bribery while in US territory can be subject to FCPA jurisdiction. Many multinational companies operating in India through subsidiaries or agents face FCPA exposure.

02What is the adequate procedures defence under the UK Bribery Act?

Section 7 of the UK Bribery Act provides a defence to the offence of failure to prevent bribery if the commercial organisation can prove it had adequate procedures in place to prevent persons associated with it from committing bribery. The UK Ministry of Justice guidance identifies six principles: proportionality, top level commitment, risk assessment, due diligence, communication and monitoring and review.

03What are the common corruption risk areas for foreign companies in India?

Key risk areas include government procurement and tenders, customs clearance and import licensing, land acquisition and environmental permits, tax assessments and inspections, sector specific regulatory approvals, utility connections, and interactions with law enforcement. Third party intermediaries (agents, consultants, customs brokers) represent the highest risk channel.

04Can a company be prosecuted under the Indian Prevention of Corruption Act?

Yes. The 2018 amendment to the PCA introduced Section 9 which criminalises commercial organisations (including companies) that give or promise undue advantage to a public servant. The punishment is a fine. Directors, managers and officers responsible for the company conduct can also face personal criminal liability.

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