Active Stocks
Thu Mar 28 2024 15:59:33
  1. Tata Steel share price
  2. 155.90 2.00%
  1. ICICI Bank share price
  2. 1,095.75 1.08%
  1. HDFC Bank share price
  2. 1,448.20 0.52%
  1. ITC share price
  2. 428.55 0.13%
  1. Power Grid Corporation Of India share price
  2. 277.05 2.21%
Business News/ Companies / People/  Imperative to lift corporate veil: Sebi on Sahara fund-raising
BackBack

Imperative to lift corporate veil: Sebi on Sahara fund-raising

Imperative to lift corporate veil: Sebi on Sahara fund-raising

Premium

Mumbai: Market regulator Sebi has castigated the Sahara Group for raising thousands of crores in violation of regulatory framework and said that there is a clear “imperative to lift the corporate veil."

Rejecting the contention of two Sahara Group entities and its supremo Subrata Roy that mopping up funds through their debenture issue - OFCDs - was outside its purview, Sebi barred them from approaching the public for raising money till further orders.

At the same time, Sebi also forwarded its interim order to the ministry of corporate affairs for appropriate action for any violation of the Companies Act by the two unlisted companies.

Reacting sharply to the order that questions attempts to raise Rs40,000 crore by the two entities, Sahara India Real Estate Corporation Ltd (SIRECL) and Sahara Housing Investment Corporation (SHIC), a Sahara spokesperson termed the Sebi action as “wrong".

Citing legal opinion from former Chief Justice of India Justice A M Ahmadi and C Achuthan, presiding officers of Securities Appellate Tribunal and other legal luminaries, he said in a statement, “All these opinions clearly stated that this matter is not under the jurisdiction of Sebi...The order is very unreasonable and arbitrary."

The two companies were raising Rs40,000 crore through issuance of Optionally Fully Convertible Debentures (OFCDs), whereas only about Rs27,000 crore was raised collectively in the entire capital market by 60 companies during two years ending 2009-10, Sebi said.

“This is a fit case where in the interest of investors there is a clear imperative to lift the corporate veil and identify the individuals behind the solicitation of funds. “Needless to say, it would be an indefensible failure on the part of Sebi if it were to allow investors to be imperilled...," it said.

The matter came to light when Sebi was examining complaints alleging non-disclosure of fund raising by two Sahara entities in the draft papers for the proposed IPO of Sahara Prime City.

Pending the investigations, Sebi called for immediate action to protect investors and barred the two companies and its promoters from directly or indirectly from raising money from public. It, however, gave them 30 days time to avail of an opportunity of personal hearing or inspect the relevant document.

In its statement, Sahara said that it had earlier written to Sebi “where it is clearly mentioned that this OFCD matter is definitely outside the jurisdiction of Sebi and we have given them clear opinions that it’s a Ministry of Corporate Affairs matter.

Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!

Catch all the Corporate news and Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates & Live Business News.
More Less
Published: 25 Nov 2010, 06:20 PM IST
Next Story footLogo
Recommended For You
Switch to the Mint app for fast and personalized news - Get App

Chat with MintGenie