Amway India MD & CEO William Pinckney released on bail

NEW DELHI: Amway India CEO William S Pinckney has been released on bail, two months after he was arrested by Andhra Police in connection with criminal cases against the firm in the state.

“We have been profoundly dismayed that this unnecessary detention occurred at all, and are even more troubled that it lasted so long,” Amway chairman Steve Van Andel and president Doug DeVos said in a joint statement on Monday. “Our focus is squarely on efforts to ensure that nothing like this happens again.” Pinckney, who is also MD of of Amway's Indian arm, was arrested on May 26 from the firm’s Gurgaon headquarters on the basis of a consumer complaint that alleged unethical circulation of money by the company.

Last year, Kerala Police had arrested Pinckney and two company directors on charges of cheating. Although Pinckney was released the next day, the other executives were booked under the Prize Chits and Money Circulation Schemes (Banning) Act.

Samir Behl, Amway’s regional in-charge, called the arrest “unnecessary and unreasonable”. “Pinckney’s arrest and long detention was unnecessary and unreasonable,” the company statement quoted him as saying. Behl heads Amway’s operations in over 65 countries as regional president for Europe, South Africa and India. Amway has denied charges of financial irregularity at its Indian arm. The company said it would work with the new government for a clear direct-selling legislation.