A key figure in global business leadership at Unilever, Nitin Paranjpe has publicly spoken out in defence of SEBI Chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch and her husband Dhaval Buch, following a series of allegations questioning their integrity.
In a candid LinkedIn post, Paranjpe expressed deep concern about the media’s portrayal of the couple, describing the situation as “troubling” and calling for readers to assess facts before forming judgments.
“Over the last few weeks, there have been allegations levied against Madhabi Puri Buch and her husband Dhaval virtually every day. The daily news in the media doubting their integrity and alleging corrupt practices is simply incomprehensible to me,” Paranjpe wrote.
Drawing on his three-decade-long association with both Madhabi and Dhaval Buch, Paranjpe lauded their unwavering integrity, stating that few people hold such “uncompromising standards of integrity.” Dhaval Buch, a former colleague of Paranjpe’s at Hindustan Unilever, and Madhabi Puri Buch, one of the most prominent regulatory figures in India, have both come under scrutiny, with allegations ranging from unethical practices to corruption.
He urged readers to review the Buchs’ official responses. “Few of us take the effort to verify the facts or consider all perspectives, including rebuttals, which are often buried on inside pages,” Paranjpe emphasized, sharing links to the Buchs’ detailed responses and the Lokpal report to encourage his followers to make informed judgments.
Reflecting on the broader implications of such scandals, Paranjpe questioned why society is quick to accept negative narratives. “Why do we fall into this trap? Is it laziness or a deeper malaise where we want to believe such stories because we have lost trust in our institutions and leadership?” he asked.
In conclusion, Paranjpe urged for a collective effort to rebuild trust in institutions, pointing to the Buchs as examples of governance and integrity that could help restore public faith.
Paranjpe retired from Unilever in 2024. He joined Hindustan Unilever (HUL), then called Hindustan Lever, in 1987 on a management training scheme and was associated with the company for 37 years. Paranjpe also served as Chief People Officer and Chief Transformation Officer at Unilever.