In continuation of my post on VCPL and the art of Time Management, I had written how the shell company cleverly waited till the Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) lost its judicial member to retirement and thereby lost quorum before appealing[1]. This is in regards to the Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) determination that VCPL is indeed the real owner of New Delhi Television (NDTV) and that it should make a public offer to acquire shares of NDTV within 45 days[2].
In my previous post, I had written about the need for SEBI to keep in mind that its primary obligation is to the shareholders and that it represents the shareholders’ interests. 10 years is a long time to suffer. End this here and now. Both SEBI and SAT should set a precedent that under the new regime of Prime Minister Modi, corporate sector and others can’t play games with public shareholders (capital). Time to ensure that irrespective of who you are in the Corporate world, law will prevail and one can’t get away with financial fraud and scams.
Why did SAT hear on August 8?
The SAT quorum was lost the day the presiding judicial officer, J P Devadhar completed his five-year term (July 11, 2018). But the single member holding fort, Dr. C K G Nair, illegally heard the matter on August 8th and in fact went beyond his jurisdiction and asked both parties to file written submissions urgently. Thereafter, he listed the matter for August 13th totally breaking conventions.
Given the charter of SAT, no orders or decisions can be taken by a single member. All he can do is hear matters and continue proceedings. In fact, the Supreme Court has passed many judgments on functioning of Tribunals that uphold this position.
What happened on August 13?
Instead of at least stating their position and asking the SAT to make VCPL start making payments to the shareholders, SEBI sought more time to file a reply. More time for what? They have already made a determination and the long suffering shareholders (40,000 of them) could start seeing some payments while the Government constitutes the judiciary member on the SAT panel. Instead the lone member of SAT, Dr. C K G Nair, asked for the matter to be listed on September 14th. Another day, another delay.
If I am not wrong, the appointment needs to be done by the Finance Ministry, which incidentally is being ministered by more than one individual (maybe the Prime Minister (PM) can clarify who the real Finance Minister is). The Ministry knew for years of the impending vacancy and has not yet acted. I urge the PM to alleviate the suffering of 40,000 shareholders who have been waiting for close to ten years and have an honest retired judge to become the Presiding officer at the SAT at the earliest.
More strange happenings
On August 13th, the complainant and minority shareholder on whose complaint of 2015 SEBI had taken action and passed the June 26th order, approached the SAT for becoming an intervenor. This is critical as the SEBI order was perverse and had overlooked substantial facts that clearly helped the Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) Group and NDTV promoters in getting away lightly. But to the surprise of all, the lone member of the SAT once again exceeded his constitutional powers and on his own passed an order restraining SEBI from coercive action, i. e. implementing the order.
Further, the minority shareholder was not heard and matter adjourned to September 14th to decide whether the shareholder even has a voice and a locus or legal grounds to intervene and bring true facts before SAT. This is after SEBI in an affidavit in Delhi HC has stated in December 2016 that this whole issue was initiated because of the specific shareholders complaint and information provided. In fact, after repeated prayers to SEBI and in the HC, the shareholder has not even been given a hearing by SEBI on the matter.
What are the amounts involved?
According to my back-of-the-envelope calculations, VCPL was required to pay about Rs.400 per share to 1.30 crore shares, for a total of Rs.500 crores. The interest amount is approximately 100% of the then share price of Rs.214. This works out to approximately 1.30 crores times 200 or Rs.260 crores. Why has SEBI not sought an escrow on this?
There is most likely going to be a penalty also of close to Rs.200 crores on the Roys for various omissions such as Fraudulent Trades and Nondisclosure of material unpublished price sensitive information etc. In fact, it’s surprising as to why SEBI is holding back these orders against Roys. As per my information, show cause notices have already been issued a long time back. Figure 1 shows the amounts involved thus far:
What the government needs to do
- SEBI cannot be a mute spectator to everything and should have opposed the legal validity of a single member SAT functioning.
- Now that the determination of ownership by a government agency has been done, why has the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting not acted?
- Either the Finance Ministry or if they are still deciding who the Finance Minister is, the Office of the Prime Minister must decide on the appointment of the Judicial Officer for SAT immediately. Justice delayed is justice denied.
Copies of the SAT orders on August 13 are provided below:
References:
[1] VCPL and the art of Time Management – Aug 10, 2018, PGurus.com
[2] NDTV and Roys Fraud, SEBI vindicates PGurus findings in a stinging order against RIL Group co. – Jun 27, 2018, PGurus.com
His first book NDTV Frauds has been published and is an Amazon Bestseller.It ranked second among all eBooks that were self-published in 2017.
His second book, The Gist of GSTN which too is available on Amazon as an e-Book and as a paperback.
His third book, The Rise and Fall of AAP is also available in print version or as an e-Book on Amazon.
His fourth book, C-Company just released to rave reviews and can be bought as a print version or as an e-Book on Amazon.
- Indian Parliament’s Special Session is convened to mark the shifting to new Parliament building - September 3, 2023
- Why did Rajat Sharma of India TV not declare that Adani owns more than 16% shares in his channel? - January 29, 2023
- Prannoy Roy to get Rs.605 crore from Adani as per Stock Exchange filing. Why is Income Tax not acting on Roys’ dues of over Rs.800 crore? - January 4, 2023
It is frustrating and highly unnerving when such blatant acts of criminality finds a way out from the clutches of the law. It seems that Modi is having a weak wicket in finding himself surrounded by compromised batsman such as in the SEBI and Finance Ministry that could leave him with a serious loss. What could really benefit Modi and the country is for the media to make damning revelations that should hit high on the national and social media to put huge pressure on the national consciousness to act; thus maiming those compromised into retirement and thereby freeing Modi to turn an inevitable loss into an incredible victory.
Nothinig surprising, all roads leads to Reliance as usual. Why this group is shown special flavor when they pay NIL income tax ??
I am still waiting for PC to go to Jail. Now, the Govt is not keen on even touching a publicly not so big figure like Roy. I am waiting for the retired FM to pass away so that these things can be set correctly.
Justice delayed may be power lost too. Modi please remember!!
Clearly, the establishment is well entrenched and the swamp is deep. Iyer ji you show extraordinary determination to go after the rotten system. I m sure the whole India highly appreciates your great efforts. We all hope you keep that up. Thank you.
hope people show these ____ their place in 2019….
Why Modi is tolerating such non-sense (there are ever so many of them), when it is within the Govt’s powers to put the corrupt in their places is a question we’re all unable to crack. After all, it will be Modi and BJP who will benefit by letting the law takes its due course. Why does the Modi Govt shoot itself in its feet? Hope someone enlightens us.