In a significant corporate governance incident, Hatsun Agro Product Ltd., a major Indian dairy products manufacturer, has formally disclosed an accidental leak of its draft financial data. The company reported that preliminary, unaudited numbers for the October-December 2025 quarter were mistakenly shared on a senior executive's personal WhatsApp status.
The Accidental Leak: What Exactly Happened?
According to a regulatory filing made by the company, a key managerial personnel inadvertently uploaded a "first-cut draft" of the unaudited financial statements for the quarter ended December 2025. This sensitive information was posted on the individual's personal WhatsApp status around 5 pm on January 4, 2026. The draft was intended solely for internal review and circulation within the company's accounts team.
The company stated that the WhatsApp status was visible to approximately 19 contacts from the executive's phone list. This group included a handful of company insiders alongside personal contacts. The error was identified swiftly, and the post was taken down within an hour of being uploaded.
Potential Impact and Immediate Company Action
Hatsun Agro emphasized that the shared figures were in a preliminary draft form and are still subject to potential revisions. The formal limited review process for the December 2025 quarter results is currently ongoing, and the official numbers have not been announced to the stock exchanges or the public.
Despite the preliminary nature of the data, the company acknowledged that the information could potentially qualify as unpublished price sensitive information (UPSI). In a move highlighting its commitment to transparency and strong governance, Hatsun Agro proactively decided to report the entire incident to the stock exchanges.
Governance Review and Regulatory Compliance
As a next step, the company confirmed that the matter will be presented before its audit committee and the board of directors for review. Furthermore, adhering to market regulations, Hatsun Agro has initiated an internal inquiry under the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) norms and its own internal code of conduct for preventing insider trading.
This incident underscores the critical need for robust digital communication protocols within corporations, especially when handling sensitive financial data. The company's prompt disclosure aims to maintain market integrity and investor trust while it investigates the lapse internally.
