I am writing this review as a cautionary tale for any corporation considering engaging Grant Thornton (GT) for sensitive forensic investigation services. Our company recently (approximately 3-4 months ago) hired GT for a forensic audit at one of our locations in South India, near the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana region. We expected the level of professionalism and diligence that a globally reputed firm claims to offer. What we received was a masterclass in incompetence, unethical conduct, and sheer arrogance, primarily led by their partner, Mr. Vishal Narula.
- Lack of Diligence and Fact-Finding:
The primary objective of a forensic investigation is to uncover facts through a meticulous and unbiased process. However, it was clear that Mr. Narula’s team did not put in the required effort to conduct a thorough investigation. The focus was less on fact-finding and more on cornering individuals to fit a preconceived narrative. The final report and the conduct during the investigation showed a glaring lack of depth and a careless approach to a highly sensitive matter.
- Unethical and Inhumane Interrogation Tactics:
This is the most disturbing part of our experience. Mr. Vishal Narulas conduct during employee interviews was appalling. He seems to be completely unaware of professional decorum or basic human decency. His approach can only be described as a "third-degree" interrogation.
He used intimidation, lied to the employee, and created an atmosphere of extreme fear and duress. This is not an investigation; it is a witch hunt.
The employee being interviewed was put under such immense mental and emotional pressure that he was on the verge of a serious medical emergency, possibly a heart stroke. Our goal was to seek the truth, not to traumatize our staff. Professional forensic auditors are meant to be skilled interviewers, not bullies.
- Gross Overreach of Authority:
In a shocking and unprecedented move, Mr. Narula took it upon himself to act as judge, jury, and executioner. He instructed an employee to dispose of their personal assets and turn over the money to the company. I have to ask: under what authority does a third-party consultant have the right to pronounce a verdict and dictate financial penalties? His mandate was to investigate and report findings, not to enforce his own version of justice. This is a dangerous and unethical overstep that no company should tolerate.
- Utter Lack of Preparation and Professionalism:
The incompetence was further highlighted during a crucial review meeting. Mr. Narula had the audacity to join the meeting without having even read his own team’s report. His lack of preparedness was painfully obvious to everyone present. He was fumbling for details and could not speak coherently about the findings.
The situation became so embarrassing that one of his senior colleagues had to step in and essentially take over the meeting to salvage it. This single act confirmed what we already suspected: Mr. Narula was out of his depth, a non-deserving individual given a responsibility he clearly could not handle.
Conclusion & Warning to Others:
Our engagement with Grant Thornton was a complete disaster. We paid a premium fee for what we thought would be a world-class service. Instead, we got a careless investigation, traumatized employees, and a partner who is both unethically aggressive and professionally incompetent.
If your company is looking for forensic services, I would strongly urge you to look elsewhere. If you must engage with Grant Thornton, I advise you to exercise extreme caution if the engagement is being led by Vishal Narula. Our experience shows a severe lapse in quality control and professional ethics within his team. A reputation is built over years, but it can be destroyed by the actions of a few careless and arrogant individuals. This was an expensive lesson for us. Don’t let it be one for you.