The T-Series Story -

Muthukumar.S 6/3/23 EPGM2211

Business Ethics & Corporate Governance Case Study - 1

Business Ethics Case Study -The T-Series Story

In July 1997, some of the leading personalities from the Indian music industry gathered for
a meeting at a five-star hotel in Chennai. Among those attending were representatives
from music companies like Venus and Tips Industries (Tips) and the owner of Super
Cassettes Industries, Gulshan Kumar. The meeting had been called to persuade Gulshan to
co-operate with the other music companies.

One of the representatives pleaded with Gulshan, "You've ruined the market. No matter
how hard we try to sell, you undercut us with such low cost. We owe huge amounts to
lenders. For God's sake, ease up on your business so that we can carry on with ours." To
this, Gulshan calmly replied, "I won't do it anymore." Though the others did not really
believe him, the meeting ended on a peaceful note.

But Gulshan could not continue run his music empire for much longer. A few days after
this meeting, he was shot dead, allegedly by the Mumbai underworld.

Two of Indian film industry's prominent names - music director Nadeem Saini (Nadeem)
and a promoter of Tips, Ramesh Taurani (Taurani) - were arrested for conspiring to kill
Gulshan. The case, covered extensively in the national media, was still being fought in the
courts in November 2001, with Nadeem hiding in UK and Taurani out on bail.

Gulshan's death brought to the attention of the nation the story of a man who had
allegedly built an empire on music piracy and plagiarism. Super Cassettes' 'T-Series' had
completely changed the way the Indian music industry functioned, allegedly by
successfully exploiting the loopholes in India's anti-piracy regulations.

Task: Analyse this case study

1. Individual characters based on Universal principles

2. Company based on Business Ethics/Winson’s rules

S. Muthukumar (EPGM2211) 1|Page

Business Ethics & Corporate Governance Case Study - 1

Introduction:
On basis of universal principals of Ethics, I have weighted characteristics of key stockholders involved
in “Gulshan Kumar – T Series Murder Case”. Also on basis of Winson’s rules analysed the ethical
culture of the organisations as well.

Individual characters based on Universal principles

S. No. Individuals Characteristics on Basis of Universal Principles

Gulshan Kumar Dishonesty
S/O. Chandrabhan Not following the law & Exploiting the loopholes in the law
1
owner of Super Cassettes Respect for Other (After the meeting, he didn’t produce
Industries / T Series pirated cassettes / CD)
No Transparency
Nadeem Saifi
2 Not Trustworthy person
Music Director
Not following the law
Not following the law.
Ramesh Taurani No Transparency
3
Promoter, Tips Industries Not Trustworthy person
Exploiting the loopholes in the law
Chandrabhan Honest
F/O. Gulshan Following the law
4
Juice shop & Pre-recorded
Audio Cassette Retailer Integrity

Company based on Business Ethics/Winson’s rules

S. No. Company Name Characteristics on Basis of Business Ethics / Winson’s Rules

Followed Rule of equivalent price
Super Cassettes Industries Followed Rule of Spirt of service
1
T Series Not followed “Rule of publicity”
Not followed “Rule of conscience in Business”
Followed Rule of publicity
Followed Rule of Spirt of service
2 Tips Industries
Followed Rule of conscience in business
Not followed “rule of equivalent price”

References:

1. The Gulshan Kumar Murder Case: A Recap:

https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/gulshan-kumar-murder-case-a-recap-
1821531-2021-07-01

2. Gulshan Kumar: From obscure fruit-juice seller to king of music

https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/19970825-gulshan-kumar-from-
obscure-fruit-juice-seller-to-king-of-music-831961-1997-08-24

3. Gulshan Kumar T Series founder, why was he murdered? Indian Film Industry & Underworld
nexus https://youtu.be/rW5hQKv0DMw

S. Muthukumar (EPGM2211) 2|Page