Legal · Education & Skilling

Singapore court rejects Byju Raveendran's stay plea

By Startup Enthusiast · 14 July 2026

What they do

BYJU'S is an Indian edtech company that provides online learning platforms for students

The Singapore High Court rejected founder Byju Raveendran's plea to extend a stay on his six-month civil contempt jail sentence

The contempt order relates to failing to disclose assets; Raveendran is currently outside Singapore and may appeal

The Singapore High Court rejected Byju Raveendran's plea to extend a stay on his six-month civil contempt jail sentence.
The order remains in force if he returns to Singapore.
The July 9 hearing concerned only the application to continue the stay pending appeal.
The substantive appeal against the contempt finding is still pending before the Singapore Court of Appeal.
Raveendran was sentenced in May for failing to comply with multiple orders to disclose assets since April 2024.
He is currently outside Singapore and may seek interim relief from the Court of Appeal.
His legal team denied any warrant was issued and maintains he did not breach any court order intentionally.
The contempt finding relates only to disputed document disclosure obligations, not fraud or dishonesty.

The Singapore proceedings were brought by a subsidiary of Qatar Investment Authority, an investor in BYJU'S.
BYJU'S was once valued at $22 Bn and has spent over two years in insolvency and disputes.
The dispute began in 2023 when lenders accused Raveendran of misappropriating funds from a $1.2 Bn term loan.
A separate settlement is being negotiated over the Aakash Educational Services shareholding.

BYJU'S is an Indian edtech company that provides online learning platforms for students.
It offers courses for K-12, competitive exams, and upskilling through its apps and websites.
The company makes money through subscription fees and course sales.
It operates primarily in India and has expanded to international markets.
BYJU'S acquired Aakash Educational Services for about $1 Bn in 2021.
The company has faced financial troubles, including insolvency proceedings and disputes with lenders.

Raveendran may seek interim relief from the Singapore Court of Appeal.
The creditors' committee of Think & Learn approved a settlement proposal over the Aakash shareholding dispute.
The settlement document has been shared with Aakash and Manipal Education and Medical Group, awaiting their final report.
The NCLT Bengaluru deferred the Aakash dispute to August 18, with a next hearing sought for July 22.
TLB lenders are in advanced talks to acquire about 30% stake in Aakash at a valuation of about $2 Bn.

Qatar Investment Authority (investor) — Sovereign wealth fund of Qatar that invested in BYJU'S and brought the contempt proceedings.
Manipal Education and Medical Group (shareholder) — Majority shareholder in Aakash Educational Services after debt-to-equity conversions.