In one of the most high-stakes legal clashes currently unfolding in global IT services, Indian tech heavyweight Infosyshas intensified its courtroom battle with Cognizant Technology Solutions, alleging deliberate interference and corporate sabotage in the development of its healthcare platform, Helix.
At the center of the controversy is the claim that Cognizant executives poached critical Infosys talent, undermining the rollout of Helix — Infosys’ flagship digital healthcare solution positioned to rival Cognizant’s long-established TriZetto platform.
The Allegations: Talent Poaching and Deliberate Disruption
Infosys has now named Kathryn Diaz, Chief People Officer at Cognizant, and Surya Gummadi, President of Cognizant Americas, in a recent court filing as key figures behind what it alleges is a “targeted campaign” to recruit top executives who were integral to Helix’s development.
The legal motion, filed jointly on June 13 in a Dallas court, adds further dimension to earlier claims made against Cognizant CEO Ravi Kumar S — himself a former Infosys president — who Infosys previously accused of stalling Helix’s development during his transition to Cognizant in 2022.
Infosys specifically alleges that:
- Shveta Arora, formerly involved with Helix, was hired by Cognizant as Head of Consulting in late 2023.
- Ravi Kuchibhotla, another former Helix contributor, joined Cognizant as Chief Strategy Officer in August 2024.
Both hires, Infosys argues, significantly disrupted Helix’s progress and reinforced suspicions of strategic interference.
Cognizant’s Response: Denial and Counterclaims
Cognizant has strongly refuted Infosys’ latest accusations. A spokesperson reportedly dismissed the claims as “misleading,” adding that Diaz’s appointment came well after Kumar’s transition, and was not part of any coordinated poaching effort.
Furthermore, Cognizant has maintained its position that Infosys misappropriated confidential healthcare-related IP — an accusation it first levied in August 2024. Infosys has denied those allegations and filed counterclaims, asserting that Cognizant failed to clarify what specific trade secrets were supposedly compromised.
Helix vs. TriZetto and the Battle for Healthcare Tech
Beyond the legal theatrics, the underlying battle is one of strategic turf. Both companies are aggressively targeting the U.S. healthcare IT market — one of the most lucrative verticals in enterprise tech. Infosys’ Helix is seen as a direct competitor to Cognizant’s TriZetto, and the talent moves, court filings, and countersuits highlight just how high the stakes have become.
This isn’t just a dispute over employment contracts or IP. It’s a race for dominance in digital healthcare infrastructure, where timing, team continuity, and proprietary insights can mean billions in long-term client value.
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IMAGE: Reuters
