Legal · Education & Skilling

Byju Raveendran offers Aakash shares to settle Qatar claim

By Startup Enthusiast · 2 September 2026

What they do

Byju's is an Indian edtech company that provides online learning courses and test prep

Founder Byju Raveendran proposed giving up 17.89 million Aakash shares to settle a $235 million arbitration claim by Qatar Holding

The company's parent Think & Learn is undergoing insolvency, and a separate asset auction dispute has been paused by the NCLT

Byju Raveendran proposed giving up beneficial interest in 17.89 million Aakash Educational Services shares to settle Qatar Holding's arbitration claim.
Qatar Holding's arbitration claim is for over $235 million, including early termination fees and penalties.
The 17.89 million Aakash shares represent about 5.7% of Aakash's equity.
Aakash shares were acquired in 2022 using $150 million financing from Qatar Holding to Byju's Investments Pte Ltd (BIPL).
Qatar Holding said BIPL broke the financing agreement and defaulted, so it ended the deal and asked for over $235 million.
A Singapore arbitration tribunal in July 2025 directed Raveendran and BIPL to pay Qatar Holding over $235 million plus 4% annual interest compounded daily from Feb 28, 2024.
The Karnataka High Court admitted Qatar Holding's fresh plea to enforce a SGD 7.2 million (~₹53 crore) arbitration costs award, with next hearing on Sep 21.
Separately, the NCLT ordered status quo on assets auctioned by Think & Learn's resolution professional, after K3 Education's RP claimed goods worth ~₹150 crore were auctioned for ~₹16 crore.

Think & Learn, the parent of Byju's, entered insolvency proceedings in 2024 after it failed to pay ₹158 crore to BCCI.
A Singapore court sentenced Raveendran to six months in civil contempt for not complying with orders in the Qatar Holding case.
The asset auction dispute involves tablets, electronic equipment, and goods stored at a warehouse linked to Think & Learn, K3 Education, and Aakash.
The NCLT said neither side gave enough documents to prove who owned the assets.

The Karnataka High Court will hear Qatar Holding's plea on Sep 21.
The NCLT will also hear the asset auction dispute on Sep 21.
Comprint Tech Solutions must submit a sworn inventory of purchased assets within one week.
Think & Learn's resolution professional must comply with the Aug 20 order seeking details of assets, valuation, and auction process within a week.

Qatar Holding (claimant) — Qatar Holding is an investment arm of the Qatar Investment Authority, which provided $150 million financing to Byju's Investments Pte Ltd in 2022.