Byju Raveendran to appeal $1.07 billion US default judgment in Byju’s Alpha case

Founder says judgment was expedited and passed without hearing his defence; GLAS Trust accused of misrepresentation.

Byju’s founder Byju Raveendran said on November 22 that he will appeal a default judgment by a US bankruptcy court that ordered him to pay over $1.07 billion in a dispute linked to Byju’s Alpha, the company’s US-based financing arm.

The Delaware Bankruptcy Court issued the default judgment holding Raveendran personally liable for the movement and concealment of funds from Byju’s Alpha.

The judgment followed Raveendran’s repeated failure to comply with court directions to appear and provide documents, media reports said.

A default judgment is issued when a party does not participate in litigation or ignores court orders, allowing the court to decide without a trial.

In a public press release issued from Paris on November 22, Raveendran denied all allegations and said the judgment and related orders will be appealed promptly.

He said the default judgment was issued on an expedited basis and did not permit him to present a defence. The statement also said he was given insufficient time to retain legal counsel and respond to orders accelerating the proceedings.

The release described the ruling as a consequence of an earlier contempt order, which Raveendran said he will contest as part of the appeal.

Raveendran’s statement accused GLAS Trust of misleading the Delaware court and the public. It argued that the court issued a monetary judgment even though, according to the release, GLAS had withdrawn its claim for damages in September 2025.

The release said GLAS Trust had improperly claimed it lacked information on the use of $533 million, and asserted that the money was not used by Raveendran or Byju’s founders for personal gain but for the benefit of Think & Learn Private Limited (TLPL).

The statement said Raveendran and other founders are preparing US federal claims estimated at not less than $2.5 billion, including allegations of racketeering and obstruction of justice, and that claims may be filed before the end of 2025 if there is no settlement.

It also said applications are pending before courts in India seeking disclosure and accountability from GLAS Trust and the resolution professional of TLPL regarding the use of funds.