New Delhi / India, October 2025 — In an extraordinary development, over 250 employees of B9 Beverages (the parent company of Bira 91 craft beer) have formally petitioned for the removal of founder and CEO Ankur Jain from the company’s leadership.
The employees have addressed their grievances to the company’s board, major investors — including Kirin Holdings, Peak XV Partners — and its largest lender, Anicut Capital.
Below is a summary of their demands and the company’s response.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of employees petitioning | Over 250 The Times of India |
| Main demand | Removal/resignation of founder Ankur Jain from management |
| Grievances listed | Delayed salaries, unpaid dues, governance lapses, lack of transparency, vendor payments, creditor lawsuits |
| Delay in salaries | Delayed salaries, unpaid dues, governance lapses, lack of transparency, vendor payments, and creditor lawsuits |
| Other alleged issues | Unpaid reimbursements, non-deposit of TDS, non-payment of provident fund |
| Estimated dues | Approx. ₹50 crore (for current + former employees) |
| Employee strength change | From ~700 last year down to about 260 now |
| Company’s response | Acknowledged overdue payments, but said no formal petition received by the board |
| Operational disruptions | Production halted; regulatory and licensing problems after a name change |
What Led to This Crisis?
Employees say the straw that broke the camel’s back is the consistent delay in wages and reimbursements. Some staff report that their salaries have not been paid for up to six months.
They also allege that taxes deducted at source (TDS) for more than 50 employees have not been deposited, and that employee provident fund (PF) contributions ceased after March 2024.
The situation intensified after B9 Beverages changed its legal name from Private Limited to Limited. That seemingly minor change triggered regulatory delays — requiring fresh approvals, label registrations, and licensing across states — which severely disrupted sales and operations.
Production reportedly stopped in July 2025. Meanwhile, a major prospective investment by BlackRock (₹500 crore) was reportedly withdrawn.
In FY24, B9 Beverages recorded a net loss of ₹748 crore on revenues of ₹638 crore. Sales volumes also dropped from 9 million cases to 6–7 million cases.
As a result, the company has sharply reduced its workforce over the past year.
What the Founder Says
Ankur Jain has said that he is not aware of any formal petition submitted to shareholders or the board.
He admitted that there are overdue payments to employees, saying that these delays range between 3 and 5 months, and include delays in tax and statutory dues.
Jain explained that over the past 18 months, the company has faced “significant disruptions” including the name change, shifting liquor policies, and fundraising delays.
He said steps are being taken to restructure operations, focus on fewer states, reduce fixed costs, and improve margins.
What Happens Now?
- The board, major investors, and lender will need to respond to the employee petition.
- If they accept the demand, Ankur Jain may be asked to resign or step aside.
- The company is under pressure to immediately settle pending salaries and statutory dues.
- Investors and lenders may push for a governance overhaul.
- The company’s survival may depend on fresh investments or capital infusion.
This unfolding conflict raises serious questions about corporate governance, employee rights, and leadership accountability in India’s startup and beverage sectors.
