Purported emails of Essar executives refer to pressure from President Pranab Mukherjee to hire chosen man

NEW DELHI: The President of India’s name has been dragged into a controversy with some purported internal emails of Essar executives referring to pressure from Pranab Mukherjee to give employment to a person at the steel-to-oil conglomerate. Another trail of mails showed Essar’s haste in ensuring a visa for Mukherjee’s granddaughter for an internship at one of the group companies in London.

While officials at the Rashtrapati Bhawan said they were unsure about the source of the mails, The Rashtrapati Bhawan spokesman refused to comment. An Essar spokesperson said all its appointments are based on suitability of candidates and that the people mentioned in the emails were properly qualified for the positions.

ET has reviewed some of these emails. In one dated September 10, 2012, Sunil Bajaj of Essar Steel forwarded the CV of one Avijit Banerjee to Adil Maila and Rahul Taneja at Essar Mumbai, with a comment that his name was “strongly recommended by Hon'ble President, Sh Pranab Mukerjee” who wanted him to be placed in Kolkata. Another email from Bajaj dated October 11, 2012, read: “I once again request you to process the same (CV) as I am having constant pressure from Hon'ble President.” Banerjee currently works for Essar and is based out of Kolkata.

An email purportedly sent by Adil Malia of Essar Mumbai to Essar Oil’s HR manager in the UK asked the London office to use its contacts to ensure a visa for Suchismita Mukerjee, Mukherjee’s grand daughter.

“We employ her directly (right away) and apply for visa and seek their (contacts) help for getting the visa processed through their contacts as we expect the same to be rejected under normal circumstances considering her lack of experience,” the email read.