Gurgaon: A Gurgaon court has summoned Chinese company Alibaba’s founder Jack Ma in a case filed by a former employee who alleges he was wrongfully fired after objecting to what he saw as censorship and fake news on company apps, documents seen by Reuters showed.
Civil Judge Sonia Sheokand has issued a summons for Alibaba, Jack Ma and about a dozen individuals or company units, asking them to appear in court or through a lawyer on 29 July, Reuters reported after viewing the related court documents. The court has also sought written responses from the company and its executives within 30 days.
The case comes weeks after India cited security concerns in banning Alibaba’s UC News, UC Browser and 57 other Chinese apps after a clash between the two countries’ forces on their border.
Following the ban, India sought written answers from all affected companies, including whether they censored content or acted for any foreign government.
UC India said in a statement it had been “unwavering in its commitment to the India market and the welfare of its local employees, and its policies are in compliance with local laws. We are unable to comment on ongoing litigation”.