Might is not always right: Vikram Bakshi on legal dispute with McDonald's

US food major's JV partner was reinstated as the MD of the Connaught Plaza Restaurants on Thursday

After a long-drawn battle with McDonald’s, Vikram Bakshi, the joint-venture partner in Connaught Plaza Restaurants, which runs the US food major’s restaurant chain in north and east India, has had a major win. On Thursday, the National Company Law Tribunal ordered that he be reinstated as managing director (MD) of the company — a position from which he was ousted in August 2013. In a chat with Surajeet Das Gupta, he says his priority is to resolve food safety issues. Edited excerpts:

Does the judgment vindicate your stand? 
 

With my restoration as MD, justice has prevailed and I feel vindicated. The judgment has proved that ‘might is not always right’. My immediate priority is to address and resolve the issues related to food safety and quality. 

How will you resolve the issue of reopening of the 50 restaurants in the National Capital Region. Will you sign on the licence papers?  
 

It will be a board decision and the court will appoint an administrator who will be part of the board. My aim will be to re-open the stores as early as possible. 

How does the judgment change the scenario?  
 

An administrator will be appointed with all the powers, including that to vote in the meetings of the board of directors so as to ensure that all resolutions are passed in the interests of the company. The administrator has also been given the option of altering the articles of association to prevent any unfair and unjust attempt to oust me. He will decide what is good for the company if we cannot agree. In fact, the administrator has to ensure that I am appointed MD.