Larsen and Toubro, Mahindra, Spice in race for Satyam

Larsen & Toubro (L&T), Tech Mahindra and the Spice group on Thursday submitted expressions of interest (EoI) to participate in the bidding process to acquire a 51% stake in Satyam Computer Services. Another major contender, the Hinduja group, backed out from the bidding process for reasons it did not disclose. Capgemini, Europe’s largest computer consultancy, also said it has no interest in buying a stake in the troubled IT company. The deadline for submitting an EoI ended at 5 pm on Thursday.

Satyam’s government-appointed board is keen to bring in a majority investor to restore the confidence in the company of its 50,000-strong staff and more than 600 customers, which include General Electric and Qantas Airways. Though the company was hit by India’s biggest corporate scandal, its top clientele and staff talent are seen as attractive to potential bidders. However, the class action suits in the US still hang like a Damocles’ sword over the company, with estimated liabilities of $400 to $800 million, according to Spice group legal advisors.

The Satyam board is meeting on Friday in Hyderabad to scrutinise the EoIs.

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