The Indonesian virus will not affect Polaris, asserts Arun Jain

Chennai: The Christmas bells chimed and the carols began at the Le Meridian Hotel here as if to welcome their return. Bringing down the curtains, though temporarily, on what he calls as “an 11-day Indonesian safari,” Polaris Software Lab chairman and managing director and CEO Arun Jain and his colleague Rajiv Malhotra, senior vice-president, finally set their foot on the Chennai soil on the midnight of 24 December 2002.

The two were arrested and detained by the Jakarta police based on a compliant made by Bank Artha Graha, on being dissatisfied with the Polaris Software’s work quality and delivery delays (See ).

A visibly happy Jain lifted his three-year-old daughter Aarushi while thanking his well-wishers. A teary-eyed Manju, his wife, watched the scene silently. Taking the arrest news bravely and giving the emotional support to others, this psychology graduate from Jesus Mary College, New Delhi, had been to Thirupathi and Puttaparthi, and offered her sincere prayers for the duo’s safe release.

According to Malhotra, his pregnant wife is doing well in Delhi and is a much-relieved lady now. Minutes after their landing, the duo walked into a star hotel to address the media that had assembled in good strength even at the wee hours.

“The Indonesian episode will in no way affect our image in the banking and financial software domain,” assures Jain. According to him, the company’s leading clients have called the officials and had expressed their support.

However, the release does not mean an end to their troubles. Part of the release condition is that Jain and Malhotra would cooperate by visiting Indonesia and assist the Jakarta police in their investigation. Further, Polaris is yet to decide whether to take the case to Singapore courts where any contract disputes are to the settled as per the original contract signed with Bank Artha Graha.