An anti-bribery probe into Walmart’s lobbying practices has cleared the retail conglomerate of violating Indian retail law, according to InsideRetail.
The US-based company had admitted to spending US$25m on lobbying when it was bidding to enter the Indian market.
The Indian Government launched an investigation into the spending, after claims it had included bribery of officials.
“There was no evidence regarding the involvement of any Indian official in corrupt practice or being beneficiary of Walmart's lobbying activities here,” an unnamed Indian Government official told InsideRetail.
The full details of the report into the probe will remain confidential until they appear in parliament.
Walmart is facing a separate Indian investigation over claims it bought into a domestic retail chain prior to 2010, when the government first allowed foreign direct investment in multi-brand retail.
The second investigation is likely to conclude later this month.
The retailer had intended to open seven Bharti Walmort stores across India between November last year and this March in a joint venture with Bharti Enterprises.
The plans were haltered pending the outcome of the anti-bribery probe.
