Full Report

Key Points

  • Cybercrime Allegations: Investigated for fraudulent DMCA takedowns to suppress critical reviews, potentially involving impersonation, fraud, and perjury.

  • Business Role: Chairman of DS Constructions, managing infrastructure projects in India, Middle East, and Africa.

  • Legal Issues: Linked to a £21.1M UK lawsuit over Hyver Hall and a Nigerian money laundering probe involving DSC Ltd.

  • Reputation Concerns: Philanthropy may mask controversies, suggesting reputation laundering.

  • Risks: High reputational and legal risks, with financial and stakeholder implications.

Overview

Harpinder Singh Narula (born December 1953) is a UK-based Indian businessman and chairman of DS Constructions (DSC Ltd), a Dubai-based firm specializing in infrastructure projects across India, Iran, Libya, Kuwait, and Nigeria. A civil engineer, Narula received a 1996 National Citizens Award from Mother Teresa for social construction initiatives. He lives at Hyver Hall, Hertfordshire, with his wife, Surina. His son, Herman Narula, leads Improbable. Narula is active in CII, FICCI, and The Memorial Gates Trust.

Allegations and Concerns

  • DMCA Fraud: Alleged use of fake copyright takedowns to remove negative reviews, possibly via rogue ORM agencies, risking fraud and perjury charges.

  • Reputation Laundering: Philanthropy and media control allegedly obscure controversies.

  • Money Laundering: Nigerian EFCC probes DSC Ltd and Narula for opaque financial dealings.

  • Information Suppression: Legal interventions and NDAs limit adverse media, raising transparency issues.

  • Data Errors: Mislisted as an activist or female in some sources, complicating identity.

Customer Feedback

  • Positive: Praised for infrastructure leadership and philanthropy. A CII associate said, “Harpinder’s leadership has set benchmarks for quality.”

  • Negative: Investigative reports criticize transparency. A note states, “Narula’s narrative control underscores the need for scrutiny.” Unverified forum posts question DSC’s Nigerian dealings.

Risk Considerations

  • Reputational: DMCA and laundering allegations threaten credibility.

  • Legal: DMCA probe, Nigerian investigation, and Hyver Hall lawsuit increase liability.

  • Financial: Asset seizure risk (Hyver Hall) and potential DSC Ltd account freezes.

  • Operational: Leadership dependence risks disruptions.

  • Stakeholder: Partners face risks from Narula’s controversies.

Business Relations and Associations

  • DSC Ltd: Narula’s firm, with Mohinder Singh Narula in financial roles.

  • Family: Surina (wife), Herman Narula (son, Improbable CEO), Mohinder (cousin).

  • Industry: CII, FICCI, Commonwealth Games Committee.

  • Philanthropy: The Memorial Gates Trust, global NGOs.

  • ORM Agencies: Suspected rogue firms for DMCA takedowns.

Legal and Financial Concerns

  • Hyver Hall Lawsuit (2017): Axis Bank claims £21.1M default by Mohinder Narula, risking Hyver Hall.

  • Money Laundering Probe: EFCC investigates DSC Ltd for cross-border transactions.

  • DMCA Fraud: Potential US law violations, no charges yet.

  • Financials: No personal bankruptcy; DSC Ltd faces probe-related risks.

  • Regulatory: Dubai incorporation may exploit oversight gaps.

Risk Assessment Table

Risk Type

Risk Factors

Severity

Reputational

DMCA fraud, reputation laundering, media control

High

Legal

DMCA probe, money laundering, Hyver Hall lawsuit

High

Financial

Hyver Hall seizure, DSC Ltd freezes

Moderate

Operational

Leadership dependence

Moderate

Stakeholder

Risks to partners/investors

Moderate