Global Audit Giants Deny 2 Firms Are ‘One’: Reject $ 100 Billion BAI Claim

PricewaterhouseCoopers International and Grant Thornton International have emphatically refuted any responsibility in the controversial dismantling of the BAI Group, as they seek to be removed from a massive Rs 100 billion legal claim filed by the Former Chairman Emeritus, Dawood Rawat.

The two global firms, cited in the lawsuit along with Brussels Worldwide Services BV, lodged affidavits yesterday before Chief Justice Bibi Rehana Mungly-Gulbul to contest their inclusion in Mr. Rawat’s action. The suit names the international firms, several former political leaders, and financial institutions.

Central to the dispute is the alleged involvement of PricewaterhouseCoopers International Ltd, Grant Thornton International Ltd, and Brussels Worldwide Services BV in the collapse of the BAI Group.

PwC International’s Defence

In an affidavit sworn in Washington by Alicia Llosa Chang on behalf of PwC International, the firm asserted that it has no contractual link or control over the Mauritian entities concerned. It argues it cannot be held liable for the acts or omissions of PricewaterhouseCoopers Ltd (PwC Maurice) or its former leaders, including André Bonieux, Mushtaq Oosman, and Yogesh Rai Basgeet.

PwC International reiterated that the member firms within its network are legally independent entities, with their own governance structures, and are responsible for their activities only within their respective jurisdictions. This directly counters Mr. Rawat’s argument that these firms function as a single organisation.

Grant Thornton International’s Position

Grant Thornton International Ltd echoed this stance. An affidavit sworn by Daniel Harry Lichtenstein for the firm denied that Grant Thornton Ltd of Mauritius and the international firm constitute a single organisation.

Previous Court Ruling Cited

Both international firms also highlighted that on September 12, 2025, the Supreme Court had already rejected a motion by Mr. Rawat seeking to compel the three international firms to each deposit a guarantee of $100,000 before they could contest their citation.

PwC International deemed this previous move “unfounded” and is now demanding that the action against it be dismissed entirely.

The three cases have been adjourned and are scheduled to resume on November 10, 2025, for further debate.

Source: Defi Media