Reliance Official Statement on 'Zee and Invesco' Issue

The Reliance Industries corporate communications teams issued an official statement in which they mentioned, "We regret our being drawn into the dispute between Zee and Invesco. The reports in the media are not accurate.

In February/ March 2021, Invesco assisted Reliance in arranging discussions directly between our representatives and Mr Punit Goenka, a member of the founder family and  Managing Director of Zee. 

We had made a broad proposal for the merger of our media properties with Zee at fair valuations of Zee and all our properties. The valuations of Zee and our properties were arrived at based on the same parameters. The proposal sought to harness the strengths of all the merging entities and would have helped to create substantial value for all, including the shareholders of Zee. 

Reliance always endeavours to continue with the existing management of the investee companies and reward them for their performance. Accordingly, the proposal included the continuation of Mr Goenka as Managing Director and the issue of ESOPs to management, including Mr Goenka. 

However, differences arose between Mr Goenka and Invesco with respect to a  requirement of the founding family for increasing their stake by subscribing to preferential warrants. The investors seemed to be of the view that the founders could always increase their stake through market purchases. 

At Reliance, we respect all founders and have never resorted to any hostile transactions.  So, we did not proceed further."