New Delhi probes Netflix for visa violations and racial bias, e-mail shows

India is investigating the business practices of US streaming giant Netflix's local operations, including allegations of visa violations and racial discrimination, according to a government e-mail sent to a former executive.

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The details of India's investigation were included in a July 20 email, reviewed by Reuters, which was written by a Home Ministry official to Netflix's former director of business and legal affairs for India, Ms Nandini Mehta, who left the company in 2020.

The allegations involve "visa and tax violations concerns regarding the business practices of Netflix in India", wrote Indian official Deepak Yadav from the ministry's Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in New Delhi.

"We have received certain details in this regard, with respect to the stated company's conduct, visa violation, illegal structures, tax evasion and other malpractices including incidents of racial discrimination that the company has been engaged in while conducting its business in India," he added.

In an e-mailed statement, Ms Mehta said she was pursuing a lawsuit in the US against Netflix for alleged wrongful termination as well as racial and gender discrimination - charges the company denies.