Hundreds of employees at B9 Beverages, the company behind Bira 91 craft beer, have reached out to the board and major investors, seeking a change in leadership, according to a report by The Economic Times. Over 250 employees reportedly submitted a petition calling for the removal of founder Ankur Jain from his management role. The petition was also addressed to key stakeholders like Kirin Holdings, Peak XV Partners, and primary lender Anicut Capital, shortly after a company-wide townhall in September.
As of June 2025, Ankur Jain and his family owned 17.8% of the company, while Kirin Holdings held the largest share at 20.1%. The petition cited concerns over “corporate governance lapses, lack of transparency, and delayed salary and dues payments” as reasons for their demand.
Employees also pointed to legal cases filed by creditors and unpaid vendor bills as indicators of the company’s declining financial health. Many said they hadn’t received salaries for six months, with reimbursements pending since November 2024. TDS for the last financial year was reportedly not deposited for around 50 employees. The last PF payment was made in March 2024. Salary dues across 500 employees amount to nearly ₹50 crore. B9’s workforce has dropped from 700 to 260. Ankur Jain admitted delays of 3–5 months in salaries and tax payments.
