SlideShare a Scribd company logo
Page 1 of 17
BEFORE THE ADJUDICATING OFFICER
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE BOARD OF INDIA
[ADJUDICATION ORDER NO. VSS/AO-156/2009]
UNDER SECTION 15-I OF SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE BOARD OF
INDIA ACT, 1992 READ WITH RULE 5 OF SEBI (PROCEDURE FOR
HOLDING INQUIRY AND IMPOSING PENALTIES BY ADJUDICATING
OFFICER) RULES, 1995
In respect of
Dilip Champalal Jain
(PAN. Not Furnished)
FACTS OF THE CASE IN BRIEF
1. Securities and Exchange Board of India (hereinafter referred to as
“SEBI”) conducted investigation into trading in the scrip of Adani
Exports Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as ‘AEL’) for the period from
November 27, 2003 to December 23, 2003 (hereinafter referred to
as ‘period of investigation’) due to sharp rise in price and volume
of the scrip on National Stock Exchange of India Ltd. (hereinafter
referred to as ‘NSE’) and Bombay Stock Exchange Ltd. (hereinafter
referred to as ‘BSE’).
2. The role of the brokers, sub-brokers and their clients who had
traded in the scrip was scrutinized. It was observed during the
investigation that certain entities had indulged in synchronization of
deals/reversal trading/fictitious trading in the shares of AEL in such
Page 2 of 17
a manner that led to creation of artificial volume and impacted the
price of the scrip. The entities found to have been involved in the
alleged manipulation and against whom adjudication proceedings
were initiated are as under:-
Entities traded on BSE
Sl.
No.
Name of Broker Name of Sub-broker Name of Client
1 ASE Capital Rajender J Shah V&S Intermediaries
2 ASE Capital ESS ESS
Intermediaries
Samir P Shah
3 ASE Capital Rajesh N Jhaveri Falguni Shah
4 Naman Securities --- ESS ESS Intermedieries
5 Mangal Keshav E Stocks INC Dilip Champalal Jain
6 Vijay Bhagwandas --- Own/director’s account
7 Sanchay Fincom --- Tejas Ghelani
Entities traded on NSE
Sl.
No.
Name of Broker Name of Sub-broker Name of Client
1 Grishma Securities --- Rajesh N Jhaveri
2 Mangal Keshav E Stocks INC Dilip Champalal Jain
3 ASE Capital --- Manoj T Shah
4 Sanchay Finvest --- Tejas Ghelani
5 M.G. Capital (**) --- Bela H Kayastha
6 Inventure Growth (**) --- Mangiram S Sharma
(**)Administrative warning issued.
3. It was alleged that one of the entities, viz., Mr. Dilip Champalal Jain
(hereinafter referred to as “Noticee/Dilip”) who traded in the scrip
of AEL through M/s. E Stocks Inc (hereinafter referred to as “E
Stocks”), sub-broker in NSE and BSE affiliated to Mangal Keshav
Securities Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as ‘MKSL/Broker’), member
NSE and BSE, on both the exchanges had violated the provisions
of regulations 4(1), 4(2)(a), 4(2)(b), 4(2)(e), 4(2)(g) and 4(2)(n) of
SEBI (Prohibition of Fraudulent and Unfair Trade Practices Relating
to Securities Markets) Regulations, 2003 (hereinafter referred to as
“PFUTP Regulations”) and therefore, liable for monetary penalty
under sections 15HA and 15HB of Securities and Exchange Board
of India Act, 1992 (hereinafter referred to as “SEBI Act”).
Page 3 of 17
APPOINTMENT OF ADJUDICATING OFFICER
4. Mr. Piyoosh Gupta was appointed as Adjudicating Officer vide
order dated December 14, 2005 under section 15 I of SEBI Act
read with rule 3 of SEBI (Procedure for Holding Inquiry and
Imposing Penalties by Adjudicating Officer) Rules, 1995
(hereinafter referred to as ‘Rules’) to inquire into and adjudge the
alleged violations of the provisions of SEBI Act and PFUTP
Regulations.
5. Consequent upon the transfer of Mr. Piyoosh Gupta, the
undersigned has been appointed as the Adjudicating Officer vide
Order dated November 19, 2007
SHOW CAUSE NOTICE, HEARING AND REPLY
6. Show Cause Notice No. EAD/EAD-5/PG/68683/2006 dated May
31, 2006 (hereinafter referred to as “SCN”) was issued to the
Noticee under rule 4(1) of the Rules to show cause as to why an
inquiry should not be held against the Noticee and penalty be not
imposed under sections 15HA and 15HB of SEBI Act for the
alleged violation specified in the said SCN. The Noticee
acknowledged the receipt of the same, but did not reply.
7. In the interest of natural justice and in order to conduct an inquiry
as per rule 4(3) of the Rules, the Noticee was granted an
opportunity of hearing on August 25, 2009 vide notice dated August
12, 2009. The Noticee acknowledged the receipt of the same.
However, no one appeared for the hearing. Another opportunity of
hearing was granted to the Noticee on October 08, 2009 vide notice
dated September 18, 2009. The same was received by the Noticee.
The Notice was also posted on SEBI website under the label
Page 4 of 17
captioned “unserved Notice/summons”. The Noticee called the
undersigned over phone and orally denied the allegations made
against him.
8. I am convinced that ample opportunities have been given to the
Noticee to explain his case. As per rule 4(7) of the Rules, if any
person fails neglects or refuses to appear as required by sub-rule
(3) before the Adjudicating Officer, he may proceed with the inquiry
in the absence of such person after recording the reasons therefor.
Despite having been given ample opportunities, the Noticee has
failed to avail the opportunity of personal hearing. I am, therefore,
compelled to proceed with the matter ex-parte based on the
material available on record.
CONSIDERATION OF ISSUES AND FINDINGS
9. I have carefully perused the documents available on record. The
issues that arise for consideration in the present case are :
a) Whether the Noticee had violated regulations 4 (1), 4(2)(a),
4(2)(b), 4(2)(e), 4(2)(g) and 4(2)(n) of PFUTP
Regulations?
b) Does the violation, if any, on the part of the Noticee attract
monetary penalty under sections 15HA of SEBI Act?
c) If so, what would be the monetary penalty that can be
imposed taking into consideration the factors mentioned in
section 15J of SEBI Act?
10. Before moving forward, it will be appropriate to refer to the relevant
provisions of PFUTP Regulations, which reads as under:
Page 5 of 17
PFUTP Regulations
4. Prohibition of manipulative, fraudulent and unfair trade practices
(1) Without prejudice to the provisions of regulation3, no person shall
indulge in a fraudulent or an unfair trade practice in securities
(2) Dealing in securities shall be deemed to be a fraudulent or an unfair
trade practice if it involves fraud and may include all or any of the
following, namely: -
(a) indulging in an act which creates false or misleading
appearance of trading in the securities market;
(b) dealing in a security not intended to effect transfer of
beneficial ownership but intended to operate only as a device
to inflate, depress or cause fluctuations in the price of such
security for wrongful gain or avoidance of loss;
(c) …
(d) …
(e) any act or omission amounting to manipulation of the price
of a security;
(f) …
(g) entering into a transaction in securities without intention of
performing it or without intention of change of ownership of
such security.
(h) …
(i) …
(j) …
(k) …
(l) …
(m) …
(n) circular transactions in respect of a security entered into
between intermediaries in order to increase commission to
provide a false appearance of trading in such security or to
inflate, depress or cause fluctuations in the price of such
security;
11. On perusal of the documents available on record, I find the
following:
In respect of trades executed on NSE
• The price of the scrip increased from Rs.250.10 (on December
12, 2003) to Rs.448.80 (on December 19, 2003) in a span of 5
trading days.
• The total traded quantity of the scrip on NSE during the period of
investigation was 38,91,856 shares.
Page 6 of 17
• During the period of investigation, the Noticee along with other
brokers and clients entered into 228 synchronized/reversal trades
involving 2,96,943 shares (7.63% of the market gross during the
period of investigation). The details are as under:
S.
No.
Buy broker
name (sub-
broker)
Buying
client
Selling Broker
name (sub-
broker)
Selling
client
No. of
trades
Synchron
ized
quantity
No. of
days
traded
% Range of
synchronize
d deals to
qty traded
in the day
1. Grishma Sec Rajesh
Jhaveri
ASE Capital Manoj T
Shah
105 143440 11 22% to
42%
2. Mangal Keshav
(E Stocks INC)
Dilip C.
Jain
Sanchay
Finvest
Tejas
Ghelani
23 54654 9 2% to 16%
3. ASE Capital Manoj T
Shah
M G Capital Bela H
Kayastha
33 31450 3 28% to 29%
4. Mangal Keshav
(E Stocks INC)
Dilip C
Jain
Inventure
Growth
Mangiram
S Sharma
22 22399 10 2.98% to
8.44%
5. Inventure
Growth
Mangiram
S Sharma
Sanchay
Finvest
Tejas
Ghelani
10 18750 5 2.98% to
18.39%
6. Inventure
Growth
Mangiram
S Sharma
Kotak Sec. Mangiram
S Sharma
24 16250 7 1.39% to
8.44%
7. Grishma Sec. Rajesh
Jhaveri
M G Capital Bela H
Kayastha
11 10000 1 34.70%
TOTAL 228 296943
• Out of a total of 2,96,943 shares, 77,053 shares were traded by
the Noticee in 45 structured deals and reversal of trades. These
trades constituted 1.98% of total market volume in the shares of
AEL on NSE during the period of investigation.
• Out of these 45 structured/synchronized/reversal trades, the
Noticee trading through MKSL entered into 23 such deals with
Sanchay Finvest Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as ‘Sanchay
Finvest’), trading on behalf of Tejas Ghelani, for 54,654 shares
during the period from December 8, 2003 to December 18, 2003
(majority of trades) and December 23, 2003 (2 trades). Out of
these 9 trading days, on 2 days, the synchronized/reversal trades
contributed to more than 10% of the day’s quantity traded, on 5
days, contribution was more than 5% of the day’s quantity traded.
These trades accounted for 1.40% of the gross quantity traded
during the entire period of investigation.
Page 7 of 17
• Out of 45 structured/synchronized/reversal trades, the Noticee
executed 22 such trades with Inventure Growth Securities Ltd.
(hereinafter referred to as ‘Inventure’), trading on behalf of
Mangeram S Sharma, for 22,399 shares during the period from
November 27, 2003 to December 12, 2003. Contribution of these
trades to day’s quantity traded ranged from 2.98% to 8.44%.
These trades accounted for 0.58% of the gross quantity traded
during the period of investigation. Time difference between
placement of buy and sell orders in these trades was 0 to 2
seconds.
• Out of total of 45 synchronized trades on NSE by the Noticee,
more than 90% of the orders were placed with time difference of
less than 3 seconds and many of them were with zero time
difference. The order, limit prices and quantities were also
matched with those of the counter party broker/client in all these
trades. The quantity, rate matched and reversal of trades were
always with the same client.
• These clients had nil delivery positions.
In respect of trades executed on BSE
• The price of the scrip increased from Rs.209.55 (on November
27, 2003) to Rs.443.10 (on December 23, 2003) in a span of 19
trading days. The scrip touched a highest price of Rs.478.00 on
December 19, 2003.
• The total traded quantity in the shares of AEL on BSE during the
period of investigation was 11,32,400 shares.
• Out of 11,32,400 shares, 3,42,780 shares (30.27%) were traded
in circular/synchronized/reversal trades involving certain brokers,
sub-brokers and clients. The details are as under:
Page 8 of 17
Date Bought
Qty
Bought by
Client (sub-
broker/Broker)
Bought From
Client (Broker)
Sold
Qty
Sold by Client (sub-
broker/Broker)
Sold To Client
(Broker)
27.11.03
to
23.12.03
74450 ESS (ASE
Capital)
ESS (Naman
Sec.)
74500 ESS (ASE Capital) ESS (Naman
Sec.)
27.11.03
to
23.12.03
57475 Falguni Shah
(through Rajesh
N Jhaveri/ ASE
Capital)
V & S
Intermediaries
(through R J Shah
/ ASE Capital)
57490 Falguni Shah
(through Rajesh N
Jhaveri/ ASE Capital)
V & S
Intermediaries
(through R J
Shah / ASE
Capital)
27.11.03
to
23.12.03
23340 Dilip Champalal
Jain (through M/s
E Stocks/Mangal
Keshav)
Own A/c (Vijay
Bhagwandas)
25200 Dilip Champalal Jain
(through M/s E
Stocks/Mangal
Keshav)
Own A/c (Vijay
Bhagwandas)
27.11.03
to
23.12.03
16050 Dilip Champalal
Jain (through M/s
E Stocks/Mangal
Keshav)
Tejas Ghelani
(Sanchay Fincom)
14300 Dilip Champalal Jain
(through M/s E
Stocks/Mangal
Keshav)
Tejas Ghelani
(Sanchay
Fincom)
• A total of 349 synchronized/reversal trades were executed
amongst the Noticee, Sanchay Fincom and VBC for 78,890
shares (6.97% of the total market volume during the period of
investigation).
• Out of 349 trades, the Noticee and Sanchay Fincom executed
128 synchronized/reversal trades on 5 trading days during the
period from December 9, 2003 to December 18, 2003. It
generated a total volume of 30,350 shares accounting for 5.67%
of the total market volume during the same period.
• The Noticee and VBC executed 221 synchronized/reversal trades
for 48,540 shares.
• The synchronized/reversal trades of the Noticee accounted for
more than 14% of the daily volume on 4 days and between 6 to
8.7% on other trading days till December 19, 2003.
• For most trades, buy and sell orders were placed within a time
difference of 0 to 3 seconds of each other. The order limit prices
and quantities were also matching with those of the counterparty
broker in all the trades. The reversal of trades took place within
half an hour or one hour after execution of first set of trades.
Page 9 of 17
• The Noticee, VBC and Sanchay Fincom executed/entered into
reversal in trade transactions on 9th
, 10th
, 17th
, 18th
and 19th
December, 2003.
12. The Hon’ble SAT in Ketan Parekh Vs. Securities & Exchange Board of
India (Appeal No. 2 of 2004) held that in order to find out whether a
transaction has been executed with the intention to manipulate the
market or defeat its mechanism will depend upon the intention of
the parties which could be inferred from the attending
circumstances because direct evidence in such cases may not be
available. In the case of Ashok K Chaudhary v SEBI, Appeal No 69 of
2008, dated November 5, 2008, the Hon’ble SAT observed that
large number of reverse trades raises a presumption of
manipulative transactions. In Nirmal Bang Securities Pvt. Ltd Vs
Chairman, SEBI, Appeal No. 54-57/2002, dated October 31, 2003,
the Hon’ble SAT observed that where there are too many
transactions over a period of time giving an impression that these
were all synchronized, the argument that the parties had no means
of knowing whether any entity controlled by the client is
simultaneously entering any contra order elsewhere for the reason
that in the online trading system, confidentiality of counter parties is
ensured, is untenable.
13. I find that the investigation did not establish any link (a) between
the Noticee and its broker/sub-broker (b) between the Noticee and
other brokers who had traded in the scrip (c) between the Noticee
and clients of other brokers who had traded in the scrip (d) between
Noticee and the company/directors of AEL.
14. However, the method and the manner in which the trades were
executed are the most important factors to be considered in these
Page 10 of 17
circumstances. The motive, thereafter, automatically falls in line.
Trades like cross deals and synchronized trades are executed on
the trading screen of a stock exchange and with proper delivery
versus payment system. Clearly in almost all the deals, the orders
are placed so as to ensure a matching of the buy and the sell
quantity and the buy and the sell price with the counter party. The
buy and the sell orders are placed at almost the same time
between the counter brokers, with a difference of a few seconds.
This proximity in the inputting of orders at the same price and for
the same quantity, results in getting them matched, such that there
is almost perfect matching in all the trades, with all the three
parameters, viz., quantity, price and most importantly, the time
required to conclude the trades, which to a large extent indicates
synchronization in the logging in of the orders, albeit executed on
the screen of the stock exchange.
15. This is what has transpired in the present case. A large number of
trades got matched regularly. The phenomenal regularity with
which the Noticee had indulged in such trades, leads one to
conclude, that these transactions were effectively meant to
manipulate the market. It is my considered belief that frequency of
such trades ensured consistent matching of the orders purely for
the purpose of projection of the volumes of the scrip in a way that
was not the market determined volumes but with a sinister motive
to induce other persons to invest in the said scrip.
16. In case an entity is alleged to have manipulated the market or
distorted the market equilibrium in terms of the PFUTP Regulations
and their acts are corroborated up to a certain extent by the
investigation findings, then the underlying intention of the said entity
is brought out. Furthermore, price manipulation does not only
Page 11 of 17
involve the manipulation in the prices of the scrip but also includes
building up of volumes. This is evident from the findings mentioned
above.
17. The fact is that had the aforesaid discussed trades been executed
in the normal course of business, the possibility of such perfect
matching would not have been possible. The buy and sell prices of
one entity were close to the buy/sell rates of the other entity in all
the settlements, such that the trades of these entities were always
matched. The transactions as pointed out in the tables earlier and
spread over a short period of time are definitely done with some
inbuilt component of ‘intent’ involved. Greater the number of such
synchronized trades, the larger is the chances of trades not being
genuine in nature, which is bound to affect the market equilibrium.
A trade can be executed on the screen and still be manipulative in
nature. Considering the number of such trades, it is clear that there
has been a gross misuse of the screen based trading system. It is
also to be stated that “intention” is inherent in all cases of
synchronized trading involving large scale price manipulation and
the same was also brought out in the earlier cited case of Nirmal
Bang Securities (P) Ltd. vs SEBI by the Hon’ble SAT whereby it
was observed that “Intention is reflected from the action of the
Appellant. Choosing selective time slots does not appear to be an
involuntary action.”
18. The Noticee by participating in the trading in this manner involved
in the execution of synchronized/reversal transactions created
artificial liquidity in the scrip and played a role in the manipulation of
the trading. In my view, the Noticee through the said artificial
trades interfered with the market equilibrium and thereby affected
the manipulation of price and volume of the said scrip. The trades
Page 12 of 17
executed herein by the Noticee were not the real trades as there
was no intention to change the beneficial ownership. When the
trades were inherently not genuine, I do not feel that it is necessary
to prove that investors had, in fact, got induced and bought and/or
sold on the basis of these trades. Similar views were expressed by
the Hon’ble SAT in its order dated 14.7.2006 in Ketan Parekh Vs.
SEBI wherein it had observed that “When a person takes part in or
enters into transactions in securities with the intention to artificially raise
or depress the price he thereby automatically induces the innocent
investors in the market to buy /sell their stocks. The buyer or the seller is
invariably influenced by the price of the stocks and if that is being
manipulated the person doing so is necessarily influencing the decision of
the buyer / seller thereby inducing him to buy or sell depending upon how
the market has been manipulated. We are therefore of the view that
inducement to any person to buy or sell securities is the necessary
consequence of manipulation and flows therefrom. In other words, if the
factum of manipulation is established it will necessarily follow that the
investors in the market had been induced to buy or sell and that no further
proof in this regard is required. The market, as already observed, is so
wide spread that it may not be humanly possible for the Board to track the
persons who were actually induced to buy or sell securities as a result of
manipulation and law can never impose on the Board a burden which is
impossible to be discharged. This, in our view, clearly flows from the plain
language of Regulation 4(a) of the Regulations.
19. I find that the Noticee had executed 394 (349 on BSE and 45 on
NSE) synchronized/reversal trades involving 1,55,943 shares.
These trades contributed more than 10% of the days quantity
traded on 2 days on NSE and it was more than 14% of the daily
volume on 4 days on BSE. I also find from the Trade Book of E
Stocks for AEL for the period from November 27, 2003 to
Page 13 of 17
December 23, 2003 (which was submitted by E Stocks) that the
Noticee had traded 1,80,238 shares out of which 1,55,943 was
synchronized/reversed, which works out to 86.52%.
20. In order to establish the fraudulent nature of trades indulged in by
the Noticee, reference may also be made to the definition of fraud
laid down in regulation 2 (1) (c) of the PFUTP Regulations, which
reads as follows:
"2 (1)(c) "fraud" includes any act, expression, omission or concealment
committed whether in a deceitful manner or not by a person or by any
other person with his connivance or by his agent to deal in securities,
whether or not there is any wrongful gain or avoidance of any loss, …
…”
21. Regulation 4(2)(a) of PFUTP Regulations prohibits a person from
indulging in an act which creates false or misleading appearance of
trading in the securities market. Regulation 4(2)(b) of PFUTP
Regulations prohibits dealings in a security intended to operate as
a device to inflate, depress or cause fluctuations in the price of
such security for wrongful gains. Regulation 4(2)(e) of PFUTP
Regulations prohibits any act or omission amounting to
manipulation of the price of a security. Regulation 4(2)(g) of
PFUTP Regulations prohibits from entering into a transaction in
securities without intention of performing it or without intention of
change of ownership of such security. Regulation 4(2)(n) of PFUTP
Regulations prohibits circular transactions in respect of a security
entered into between intermediaries in order to provide a false
appearance of trading in such security. As detailed above, the acts
of the Noticee clearly created false and misleading appearance of
trading in the shares of AEL and he did not act in a bonafide
manner. The facts of the case highlight the Noticee’s involvement,
by executing continuous synchronized/reversal trades in a
substantial manner, in the manipulation of price/volume of the
Page 14 of 17
shares of AEL which led to creation of artificial volume and
misleading appearance of trading in the said shares on account of
collusive activities with the entities as discussed in the preceding
paragraphs. As the transactions executed by the Noticee in AEL
were synchronized, there does not appear to be any genuine
trading interest in the scrip. All these, resulted in violation of the
provisions of regulations 4(1), 4(2)(a), (b), (e) and (g) of the PFUTP
Regulations.
22. Generally, synchronized trades/cross deals/circular trades are the
instruments/tools employed by some unscrupulous elements in the
securities market to manipulate the market and deceive the
general/genuine investors in the market place. The pattern of
trading, behaviour of the entities, apparent irregularities and the
available trading data, etc., prove manipulation which always
depends on inferences drawn on a mass of factual detail. When all
of these are considered together, they can emerge as ingredients
to prove the manipulative scheme designed and executed by such
manipulators with intent to tamper with free market forces.
23. I am of the view that the facts of the present case clearly bring out
an element of fraud and unfair trade practices indulged in by the
Noticee. Therefore, I hold that the charges leveled against the
Noticee are proved and that the allegation of violation of provisions
of regulations 4(1), 4(2)(a), (b), (e) and (g) of PFUTP Regulations
by the Noticee stands established.
24. The Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in the matter of SEBI Vs. Shri
Ram Mutual Fund [2006] 68 SCL 216(SC) held that “In our
considered opinion, penalty is attracted as soon as the contravention of
the statutory obligation as contemplated by the Act and the Regulations is
Page 15 of 17
established and hence the intention of the parties committing such
violation becomes wholly irrelevant…”.
25. Thus, the aforesaid violations by the Noticee make him liable for
penalty under Section 15HA of SEBI Act, 1992 which read as
follows:
“Penalty for fraudulent and unfair trade practices
15HA. If any person indulges in fraudulent and unfair trade
practices relating to securities, he shall be liable to a penalty of
twenty-five crore rupees or three times the amount of profits made
out of such practices, whichever is higher.
26. While determining the quantum of penalty under section 15HA, it is
important to consider the factors stipulated in section 15J of SEBI
Act, which reads as under:-
“15J - Factors to be taken into account by the adjudicating officer
While adjudging quantum of penalty under section 15-I, the adjudicating
officer shall have due regard to the following factors, namely:-
(a) the amount of disproportionate gain or unfair advantage,
wherever quantifiable, made as a result of the default;
(b) the amount of loss caused to an investor or group of investors as
a result of the default;
(c) the repetitive nature of the default.”
27. It is difficult, in cases of such nature, to quantify exactly the
disproportionate gains or unfair advantage enjoyed by an entity and
the consequent losses suffered by the investors. I have noted that
the investigation report also does not dwell on the extent of specific
gains made by the clients or sub-broker. Suffice to state that
keeping in mind the practices indulged in by the Noticee, gains per
se were made by the Noticee in that he traded in the scrip in a
manner meant to create artificial volumes and liquidity which is an
important criterion, apart from price, capable of misleading the
investors while making an investment decision. In fact,
liquidity/volumes in particular scrip raise the issue of ‘demand’ in
Page 16 of 17
the securities market. Greater the liquidity, higher is the investors’
attraction towards investing in that scrip. Hence, anyone could have
been carried away by the unusual fluctuations in the volumes and
been induced into investing in the said scrip. Besides, this kind of
activity seriously affects the normal price discovery mechanism of
the securities market. People who indulge in manipulative,
fraudulent and deceptive transactions, or abet the carrying out of
such transactions which are fraudulent and deceptive, should be
suitably penalized for the said acts of omissions and commissions.
Considering the continuous effort of the Noticee in this aspect
where the synchronized/reversal trades were carried out over a
short period of time, it can safely be surmised that the nature of
default was also repetitive.
ORDER
28. After taking into consideration all the facts and circumstances of the
case, I impose a penalty of Rs.50,000/- (Rupees fifty thousand
only) on the Noticee which will be commensurate with the
violations committed by him.
29. The Noticee shall pay the said amount of penalty by way of
demand draft in favour of “SEBI - Penalties Remittable to
Government of India”, payable at Mumbai, within 45 days of receipt
of this order. The said demand draft should be forwarded to Ms.
Pradnya Saravade, Officer on Special Duty, Investigations
Department, SEBI, SEBI Bhavan, Plot No. C – 4 A, “G” Block,
Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra (E), Mumbai – 400 051.
Page 17 of 17
30. In terms of rule 6 of the Rules, copies of this order are sent to the
Noticee and also to the Securities and Exchange Board of India.
Date: October 9, 2009 V.S.SUNDARESAN
Place: Mumbai ADJUDICATING OFFICER

More Related Content

Similar to Adjudication Order in respect of Dilip Champalal Jain in the matter of Ms. Adani Exports Ltd.pdf

Similar to Adjudication Order in respect of Dilip Champalal Jain in the matter of Ms. Adani Exports Ltd.pdf (20)

Adjudication Order in respect of Sanchay Fincom Limited in the matter of Adan...
Adjudication Order in respect of Sanchay Fincom Limited in the matter of Adan...Adjudication Order in respect of Sanchay Fincom Limited in the matter of Adan...
Adjudication Order in respect of Sanchay Fincom Limited in the matter of Adan...
 
Adjudication Order in respect of Sanchay Fincom Limited in the matter of Adan...
Adjudication Order in respect of Sanchay Fincom Limited in the matter of Adan...Adjudication Order in respect of Sanchay Fincom Limited in the matter of Adan...
Adjudication Order in respect of Sanchay Fincom Limited in the matter of Adan...
 
Adjudication Order in respect of Sanchay Fincom Limited.pdf
Adjudication Order in respect of Sanchay Fincom Limited.pdfAdjudication Order in respect of Sanchay Fincom Limited.pdf
Adjudication Order in respect of Sanchay Fincom Limited.pdf
 
Adjudication Order in respect of ESS ESS Intermediaries Pvt. Ltd. in the matt...
Adjudication Order in respect of ESS ESS Intermediaries Pvt. Ltd. in the matt...Adjudication Order in respect of ESS ESS Intermediaries Pvt. Ltd. in the matt...
Adjudication Order in respect of ESS ESS Intermediaries Pvt. Ltd. in the matt...
 
Adjudication Order in respect of ESS ESS Intermediaries (1).pdf
Adjudication Order in respect of ESS ESS Intermediaries (1).pdfAdjudication Order in respect of ESS ESS Intermediaries (1).pdf
Adjudication Order in respect of ESS ESS Intermediaries (1).pdf
 
Adjudication Order in respect of Samir P Shah in the matter of Adani Enterpri...
Adjudication Order in respect of Samir P Shah in the matter of Adani Enterpri...Adjudication Order in respect of Samir P Shah in the matter of Adani Enterpri...
Adjudication Order in respect of Samir P Shah in the matter of Adani Enterpri...
 
Adjudication Order in respect of Samir P Shah.pdf
Adjudication Order in respect of Samir P Shah.pdfAdjudication Order in respect of Samir P Shah.pdf
Adjudication Order in respect of Samir P Shah.pdf
 
Adjudication Order in respect of Sanchay Finvest Limited in the matter of Ada...
Adjudication Order in respect of Sanchay Finvest Limited in the matter of Ada...Adjudication Order in respect of Sanchay Finvest Limited in the matter of Ada...
Adjudication Order in respect of Sanchay Finvest Limited in the matter of Ada...
 
Adjudication Order in respect of Sanchay Finvest Limited in the matter of Ada...
Adjudication Order in respect of Sanchay Finvest Limited in the matter of Ada...Adjudication Order in respect of Sanchay Finvest Limited in the matter of Ada...
Adjudication Order in respect of Sanchay Finvest Limited in the matter of Ada...
 
Adjudication Order in respect of Sanchay Finvest Limited.pdf
Adjudication Order in respect of Sanchay Finvest Limited.pdfAdjudication Order in respect of Sanchay Finvest Limited.pdf
Adjudication Order in respect of Sanchay Finvest Limited.pdf
 
Adjudication Order against Shri Haresh Posnak.pdf
Adjudication Order against Shri Haresh Posnak.pdfAdjudication Order against Shri Haresh Posnak.pdf
Adjudication Order against Shri Haresh Posnak.pdf
 
Adjudication Order against Shri Haresh Posnak in the matter of Adani Exports ...
Adjudication Order against Shri Haresh Posnak in the matter of Adani Exports ...Adjudication Order against Shri Haresh Posnak in the matter of Adani Exports ...
Adjudication Order against Shri Haresh Posnak in the matter of Adani Exports ...
 
Adjudication Order in respect of Mangeram S. Sharma in the matter of Ms. Adan...
Adjudication Order in respect of Mangeram S. Sharma in the matter of Ms. Adan...Adjudication Order in respect of Mangeram S. Sharma in the matter of Ms. Adan...
Adjudication Order in respect of Mangeram S. Sharma in the matter of Ms. Adan...
 
Adjudication Order against Shri Sunil Purohit in the matter of Adani Exports ...
Adjudication Order against Shri Sunil Purohit in the matter of Adani Exports ...Adjudication Order against Shri Sunil Purohit in the matter of Adani Exports ...
Adjudication Order against Shri Sunil Purohit in the matter of Adani Exports ...
 
Adjudication Order against Shri Sunil Purohit.pdf
Adjudication Order against Shri Sunil Purohit.pdfAdjudication Order against Shri Sunil Purohit.pdf
Adjudication Order against Shri Sunil Purohit.pdf
 
Adjudication order against Ms Rajesh N Jhaveri in the matter of Adani Exports...
Adjudication order against Ms Rajesh N Jhaveri in the matter of Adani Exports...Adjudication order against Ms Rajesh N Jhaveri in the matter of Adani Exports...
Adjudication order against Ms Rajesh N Jhaveri in the matter of Adani Exports...
 
Adjudication order against Ms Rajesh N Jhaveri.pdf
Adjudication order against Ms Rajesh N Jhaveri.pdfAdjudication order against Ms Rajesh N Jhaveri.pdf
Adjudication order against Ms Rajesh N Jhaveri.pdf
 
Adjudication order against Ms Rajendra Jayantilal Shah in the matter of Adani...
Adjudication order against Ms Rajendra Jayantilal Shah in the matter of Adani...Adjudication order against Ms Rajendra Jayantilal Shah in the matter of Adani...
Adjudication order against Ms Rajendra Jayantilal Shah in the matter of Adani...
 
Adjudication order against Rajendra Jayantilal Shah.pdf
Adjudication order against Rajendra Jayantilal Shah.pdfAdjudication order against Rajendra Jayantilal Shah.pdf
Adjudication order against Rajendra Jayantilal Shah.pdf
 
Adjudication order against Ms Rajendra Jayantilal Shah (1).pdf
Adjudication order against Ms Rajendra Jayantilal Shah (1).pdfAdjudication order against Ms Rajendra Jayantilal Shah (1).pdf
Adjudication order against Ms Rajendra Jayantilal Shah (1).pdf
 

More from Hindenburg Research

Vinod Adani - The Man Behind The Adani Group’s Offshore Deals (Morning Contex...
Vinod Adani - The Man Behind The Adani Group’s Offshore Deals (Morning Contex...Vinod Adani - The Man Behind The Adani Group’s Offshore Deals (Morning Contex...
Vinod Adani - The Man Behind The Adani Group’s Offshore Deals (Morning Contex...
Hindenburg Research
 

More from Hindenburg Research (20)

SEC v Burns .
SEC v Burns                                            .SEC v Burns                                            .
SEC v Burns .
 
Questions For Tingo
Questions For TingoQuestions For Tingo
Questions For Tingo
 
Osirius Group LLC vs. Ideanomics
Osirius Group LLC vs. IdeanomicsOsirius Group LLC vs. Ideanomics
Osirius Group LLC vs. Ideanomics
 
Criminal Indictment Matt Beasley.pdf
Criminal Indictment Matt Beasley.pdfCriminal Indictment Matt Beasley.pdf
Criminal Indictment Matt Beasley.pdf
 
Acuitas Capital vs. Ideanomics
Acuitas Capital vs. IdeanomicsAcuitas Capital vs. Ideanomics
Acuitas Capital vs. Ideanomics
 
Adani Green Energy Limited Offering Circular.pdf
Adani Green Energy Limited Offering Circular.pdfAdani Green Energy Limited Offering Circular.pdf
Adani Green Energy Limited Offering Circular.pdf
 
Milestone Tradelinks Phone Number (Pg.1)
Milestone Tradelinks Phone Number (Pg.1)Milestone Tradelinks Phone Number (Pg.1)
Milestone Tradelinks Phone Number (Pg.1)
 
PMC Projects 2014 Annual Report.pdf
PMC Projects 2014 Annual Report.pdfPMC Projects 2014 Annual Report.pdf
PMC Projects 2014 Annual Report.pdf
 
PMC Projects Beneficial Ownership Document.pdf
PMC Projects Beneficial Ownership Document.pdfPMC Projects Beneficial Ownership Document.pdf
PMC Projects Beneficial Ownership Document.pdf
 
Adani Developers (later renamed Sunbourne) 2013 Annual Report.pdf
Adani Developers (later renamed Sunbourne) 2013 Annual Report.pdfAdani Developers (later renamed Sunbourne) 2013 Annual Report.pdf
Adani Developers (later renamed Sunbourne) 2013 Annual Report.pdf
 
SEBI Orders (Links).docx
SEBI Orders (Links).docxSEBI Orders (Links).docx
SEBI Orders (Links).docx
 
Vinod Adani - The Man Behind The Adani Group’s Offshore Deals (Morning Contex...
Vinod Adani - The Man Behind The Adani Group’s Offshore Deals (Morning Contex...Vinod Adani - The Man Behind The Adani Group’s Offshore Deals (Morning Contex...
Vinod Adani - The Man Behind The Adani Group’s Offshore Deals (Morning Contex...
 
Krunal Trade & Investment Pvt Ltd.pdf
Krunal Trade & Investment Pvt Ltd.pdfKrunal Trade & Investment Pvt Ltd.pdf
Krunal Trade & Investment Pvt Ltd.pdf
 
Gardenia Trade and Investment.pdf
Gardenia Trade and Investment.pdfGardenia Trade and Investment.pdf
Gardenia Trade and Investment.pdf
 
Birch Trade and Investment Ltd.pdf
Birch Trade and Investment Ltd.pdfBirch Trade and Investment Ltd.pdf
Birch Trade and Investment Ltd.pdf
 
Athena Trade and Investments Pvt Ltd.pdf
Athena Trade and Investments Pvt Ltd.pdfAthena Trade and Investments Pvt Ltd.pdf
Athena Trade and Investments Pvt Ltd.pdf
 
Flourishing Trade and Investment Ltd.pdf
Flourishing Trade and Investment Ltd.pdfFlourishing Trade and Investment Ltd.pdf
Flourishing Trade and Investment Ltd.pdf
 
Delphinium Trade and Investment Ltd.pdf
Delphinium Trade and Investment Ltd.pdfDelphinium Trade and Investment Ltd.pdf
Delphinium Trade and Investment Ltd.pdf
 
Dome Trade and Investment Ltd.pdf
Dome Trade and Investment Ltd.pdfDome Trade and Investment Ltd.pdf
Dome Trade and Investment Ltd.pdf
 
Endeavour Trade and Investment Ltd.pdf
Endeavour Trade and Investment Ltd.pdfEndeavour Trade and Investment Ltd.pdf
Endeavour Trade and Investment Ltd.pdf
 

Recently uploaded

Sustainability: Balancing the Environment, Equity & Economy
Sustainability: Balancing the Environment, Equity & EconomySustainability: Balancing the Environment, Equity & Economy
Sustainability: Balancing the Environment, Equity & Economy
Operational Excellence Consulting
 
anas about venice for grade 6f about venice
anas about venice for grade 6f about veniceanas about venice for grade 6f about venice
anas about venice for grade 6f about venice
anasabutalha2013
 
Enterprise Excellence is Inclusive Excellence.pdf
Enterprise Excellence is Inclusive Excellence.pdfEnterprise Excellence is Inclusive Excellence.pdf
Enterprise Excellence is Inclusive Excellence.pdf
KaiNexus
 

Recently uploaded (20)

Lars Winkelbauer — Sustainable Development in the Era of Air Cargo Technology
Lars Winkelbauer — Sustainable Development in the Era of Air Cargo TechnologyLars Winkelbauer — Sustainable Development in the Era of Air Cargo Technology
Lars Winkelbauer — Sustainable Development in the Era of Air Cargo Technology
 
Matt Conway - Attorney - A Knowledgeable Professional - Kentucky.pdf
Matt Conway - Attorney - A Knowledgeable Professional - Kentucky.pdfMatt Conway - Attorney - A Knowledgeable Professional - Kentucky.pdf
Matt Conway - Attorney - A Knowledgeable Professional - Kentucky.pdf
 
Meaningful Technology for Humans: How Strategy Helps to Deliver Real Value fo...
Meaningful Technology for Humans: How Strategy Helps to Deliver Real Value fo...Meaningful Technology for Humans: How Strategy Helps to Deliver Real Value fo...
Meaningful Technology for Humans: How Strategy Helps to Deliver Real Value fo...
 
12 Conversion Rate Optimization Strategies for Ecommerce Websites.pdf
12 Conversion Rate Optimization Strategies for Ecommerce Websites.pdf12 Conversion Rate Optimization Strategies for Ecommerce Websites.pdf
12 Conversion Rate Optimization Strategies for Ecommerce Websites.pdf
 
Sustainability: Balancing the Environment, Equity & Economy
Sustainability: Balancing the Environment, Equity & EconomySustainability: Balancing the Environment, Equity & Economy
Sustainability: Balancing the Environment, Equity & Economy
 
Pitch Deck Teardown: RAW Dating App's $3M Angel deck
Pitch Deck Teardown: RAW Dating App's $3M Angel deckPitch Deck Teardown: RAW Dating App's $3M Angel deck
Pitch Deck Teardown: RAW Dating App's $3M Angel deck
 
University of Connecticut Fees, Courses, Acceptance Rate, Admission deadline,...
University of Connecticut Fees, Courses, Acceptance Rate, Admission deadline,...University of Connecticut Fees, Courses, Acceptance Rate, Admission deadline,...
University of Connecticut Fees, Courses, Acceptance Rate, Admission deadline,...
 
5 Things You Need To Know Before Hiring a Videographer
5 Things You Need To Know Before Hiring a Videographer5 Things You Need To Know Before Hiring a Videographer
5 Things You Need To Know Before Hiring a Videographer
 
BeMetals Presentation_May_22_2024 .pdf
BeMetals Presentation_May_22_2024   .pdfBeMetals Presentation_May_22_2024   .pdf
BeMetals Presentation_May_22_2024 .pdf
 
Using Generative AI for Content Marketing
Using Generative AI for Content MarketingUsing Generative AI for Content Marketing
Using Generative AI for Content Marketing
 
Filing Your Delaware Franchise Tax A Detailed Guide
Filing Your Delaware Franchise Tax A Detailed GuideFiling Your Delaware Franchise Tax A Detailed Guide
Filing Your Delaware Franchise Tax A Detailed Guide
 
The Parable of the Pipeline a book every new businessman or business student ...
The Parable of the Pipeline a book every new businessman or business student ...The Parable of the Pipeline a book every new businessman or business student ...
The Parable of the Pipeline a book every new businessman or business student ...
 
Accpac to QuickBooks Conversion Navigating the Transition with Online Account...
Accpac to QuickBooks Conversion Navigating the Transition with Online Account...Accpac to QuickBooks Conversion Navigating the Transition with Online Account...
Accpac to QuickBooks Conversion Navigating the Transition with Online Account...
 
Premium MEAN Stack Development Solutions for Modern Businesses
Premium MEAN Stack Development Solutions for Modern BusinessesPremium MEAN Stack Development Solutions for Modern Businesses
Premium MEAN Stack Development Solutions for Modern Businesses
 
anas about venice for grade 6f about venice
anas about venice for grade 6f about veniceanas about venice for grade 6f about venice
anas about venice for grade 6f about venice
 
IPTV Subscription UK: Your Guide to Choosing the Best Service
IPTV Subscription UK: Your Guide to Choosing the Best ServiceIPTV Subscription UK: Your Guide to Choosing the Best Service
IPTV Subscription UK: Your Guide to Choosing the Best Service
 
Enterprise Excellence is Inclusive Excellence.pdf
Enterprise Excellence is Inclusive Excellence.pdfEnterprise Excellence is Inclusive Excellence.pdf
Enterprise Excellence is Inclusive Excellence.pdf
 
sales plan presentation by mckinsey alum
sales plan presentation by mckinsey alumsales plan presentation by mckinsey alum
sales plan presentation by mckinsey alum
 
Taurus Zodiac Sign_ Personality Traits and Sign Dates.pptx
Taurus Zodiac Sign_ Personality Traits and Sign Dates.pptxTaurus Zodiac Sign_ Personality Traits and Sign Dates.pptx
Taurus Zodiac Sign_ Personality Traits and Sign Dates.pptx
 
Skye Residences | Extended Stay Residences Near Toronto Airport
Skye Residences | Extended Stay Residences Near Toronto AirportSkye Residences | Extended Stay Residences Near Toronto Airport
Skye Residences | Extended Stay Residences Near Toronto Airport
 

Adjudication Order in respect of Dilip Champalal Jain in the matter of Ms. Adani Exports Ltd.pdf

  • 1. Page 1 of 17 BEFORE THE ADJUDICATING OFFICER SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE BOARD OF INDIA [ADJUDICATION ORDER NO. VSS/AO-156/2009] UNDER SECTION 15-I OF SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE BOARD OF INDIA ACT, 1992 READ WITH RULE 5 OF SEBI (PROCEDURE FOR HOLDING INQUIRY AND IMPOSING PENALTIES BY ADJUDICATING OFFICER) RULES, 1995 In respect of Dilip Champalal Jain (PAN. Not Furnished) FACTS OF THE CASE IN BRIEF 1. Securities and Exchange Board of India (hereinafter referred to as “SEBI”) conducted investigation into trading in the scrip of Adani Exports Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as ‘AEL’) for the period from November 27, 2003 to December 23, 2003 (hereinafter referred to as ‘period of investigation’) due to sharp rise in price and volume of the scrip on National Stock Exchange of India Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as ‘NSE’) and Bombay Stock Exchange Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as ‘BSE’). 2. The role of the brokers, sub-brokers and their clients who had traded in the scrip was scrutinized. It was observed during the investigation that certain entities had indulged in synchronization of deals/reversal trading/fictitious trading in the shares of AEL in such
  • 2. Page 2 of 17 a manner that led to creation of artificial volume and impacted the price of the scrip. The entities found to have been involved in the alleged manipulation and against whom adjudication proceedings were initiated are as under:- Entities traded on BSE Sl. No. Name of Broker Name of Sub-broker Name of Client 1 ASE Capital Rajender J Shah V&S Intermediaries 2 ASE Capital ESS ESS Intermediaries Samir P Shah 3 ASE Capital Rajesh N Jhaveri Falguni Shah 4 Naman Securities --- ESS ESS Intermedieries 5 Mangal Keshav E Stocks INC Dilip Champalal Jain 6 Vijay Bhagwandas --- Own/director’s account 7 Sanchay Fincom --- Tejas Ghelani Entities traded on NSE Sl. No. Name of Broker Name of Sub-broker Name of Client 1 Grishma Securities --- Rajesh N Jhaveri 2 Mangal Keshav E Stocks INC Dilip Champalal Jain 3 ASE Capital --- Manoj T Shah 4 Sanchay Finvest --- Tejas Ghelani 5 M.G. Capital (**) --- Bela H Kayastha 6 Inventure Growth (**) --- Mangiram S Sharma (**)Administrative warning issued. 3. It was alleged that one of the entities, viz., Mr. Dilip Champalal Jain (hereinafter referred to as “Noticee/Dilip”) who traded in the scrip of AEL through M/s. E Stocks Inc (hereinafter referred to as “E Stocks”), sub-broker in NSE and BSE affiliated to Mangal Keshav Securities Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as ‘MKSL/Broker’), member NSE and BSE, on both the exchanges had violated the provisions of regulations 4(1), 4(2)(a), 4(2)(b), 4(2)(e), 4(2)(g) and 4(2)(n) of SEBI (Prohibition of Fraudulent and Unfair Trade Practices Relating to Securities Markets) Regulations, 2003 (hereinafter referred to as “PFUTP Regulations”) and therefore, liable for monetary penalty under sections 15HA and 15HB of Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992 (hereinafter referred to as “SEBI Act”).
  • 3. Page 3 of 17 APPOINTMENT OF ADJUDICATING OFFICER 4. Mr. Piyoosh Gupta was appointed as Adjudicating Officer vide order dated December 14, 2005 under section 15 I of SEBI Act read with rule 3 of SEBI (Procedure for Holding Inquiry and Imposing Penalties by Adjudicating Officer) Rules, 1995 (hereinafter referred to as ‘Rules’) to inquire into and adjudge the alleged violations of the provisions of SEBI Act and PFUTP Regulations. 5. Consequent upon the transfer of Mr. Piyoosh Gupta, the undersigned has been appointed as the Adjudicating Officer vide Order dated November 19, 2007 SHOW CAUSE NOTICE, HEARING AND REPLY 6. Show Cause Notice No. EAD/EAD-5/PG/68683/2006 dated May 31, 2006 (hereinafter referred to as “SCN”) was issued to the Noticee under rule 4(1) of the Rules to show cause as to why an inquiry should not be held against the Noticee and penalty be not imposed under sections 15HA and 15HB of SEBI Act for the alleged violation specified in the said SCN. The Noticee acknowledged the receipt of the same, but did not reply. 7. In the interest of natural justice and in order to conduct an inquiry as per rule 4(3) of the Rules, the Noticee was granted an opportunity of hearing on August 25, 2009 vide notice dated August 12, 2009. The Noticee acknowledged the receipt of the same. However, no one appeared for the hearing. Another opportunity of hearing was granted to the Noticee on October 08, 2009 vide notice dated September 18, 2009. The same was received by the Noticee. The Notice was also posted on SEBI website under the label
  • 4. Page 4 of 17 captioned “unserved Notice/summons”. The Noticee called the undersigned over phone and orally denied the allegations made against him. 8. I am convinced that ample opportunities have been given to the Noticee to explain his case. As per rule 4(7) of the Rules, if any person fails neglects or refuses to appear as required by sub-rule (3) before the Adjudicating Officer, he may proceed with the inquiry in the absence of such person after recording the reasons therefor. Despite having been given ample opportunities, the Noticee has failed to avail the opportunity of personal hearing. I am, therefore, compelled to proceed with the matter ex-parte based on the material available on record. CONSIDERATION OF ISSUES AND FINDINGS 9. I have carefully perused the documents available on record. The issues that arise for consideration in the present case are : a) Whether the Noticee had violated regulations 4 (1), 4(2)(a), 4(2)(b), 4(2)(e), 4(2)(g) and 4(2)(n) of PFUTP Regulations? b) Does the violation, if any, on the part of the Noticee attract monetary penalty under sections 15HA of SEBI Act? c) If so, what would be the monetary penalty that can be imposed taking into consideration the factors mentioned in section 15J of SEBI Act? 10. Before moving forward, it will be appropriate to refer to the relevant provisions of PFUTP Regulations, which reads as under:
  • 5. Page 5 of 17 PFUTP Regulations 4. Prohibition of manipulative, fraudulent and unfair trade practices (1) Without prejudice to the provisions of regulation3, no person shall indulge in a fraudulent or an unfair trade practice in securities (2) Dealing in securities shall be deemed to be a fraudulent or an unfair trade practice if it involves fraud and may include all or any of the following, namely: - (a) indulging in an act which creates false or misleading appearance of trading in the securities market; (b) dealing in a security not intended to effect transfer of beneficial ownership but intended to operate only as a device to inflate, depress or cause fluctuations in the price of such security for wrongful gain or avoidance of loss; (c) … (d) … (e) any act or omission amounting to manipulation of the price of a security; (f) … (g) entering into a transaction in securities without intention of performing it or without intention of change of ownership of such security. (h) … (i) … (j) … (k) … (l) … (m) … (n) circular transactions in respect of a security entered into between intermediaries in order to increase commission to provide a false appearance of trading in such security or to inflate, depress or cause fluctuations in the price of such security; 11. On perusal of the documents available on record, I find the following: In respect of trades executed on NSE • The price of the scrip increased from Rs.250.10 (on December 12, 2003) to Rs.448.80 (on December 19, 2003) in a span of 5 trading days. • The total traded quantity of the scrip on NSE during the period of investigation was 38,91,856 shares.
  • 6. Page 6 of 17 • During the period of investigation, the Noticee along with other brokers and clients entered into 228 synchronized/reversal trades involving 2,96,943 shares (7.63% of the market gross during the period of investigation). The details are as under: S. No. Buy broker name (sub- broker) Buying client Selling Broker name (sub- broker) Selling client No. of trades Synchron ized quantity No. of days traded % Range of synchronize d deals to qty traded in the day 1. Grishma Sec Rajesh Jhaveri ASE Capital Manoj T Shah 105 143440 11 22% to 42% 2. Mangal Keshav (E Stocks INC) Dilip C. Jain Sanchay Finvest Tejas Ghelani 23 54654 9 2% to 16% 3. ASE Capital Manoj T Shah M G Capital Bela H Kayastha 33 31450 3 28% to 29% 4. Mangal Keshav (E Stocks INC) Dilip C Jain Inventure Growth Mangiram S Sharma 22 22399 10 2.98% to 8.44% 5. Inventure Growth Mangiram S Sharma Sanchay Finvest Tejas Ghelani 10 18750 5 2.98% to 18.39% 6. Inventure Growth Mangiram S Sharma Kotak Sec. Mangiram S Sharma 24 16250 7 1.39% to 8.44% 7. Grishma Sec. Rajesh Jhaveri M G Capital Bela H Kayastha 11 10000 1 34.70% TOTAL 228 296943 • Out of a total of 2,96,943 shares, 77,053 shares were traded by the Noticee in 45 structured deals and reversal of trades. These trades constituted 1.98% of total market volume in the shares of AEL on NSE during the period of investigation. • Out of these 45 structured/synchronized/reversal trades, the Noticee trading through MKSL entered into 23 such deals with Sanchay Finvest Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as ‘Sanchay Finvest’), trading on behalf of Tejas Ghelani, for 54,654 shares during the period from December 8, 2003 to December 18, 2003 (majority of trades) and December 23, 2003 (2 trades). Out of these 9 trading days, on 2 days, the synchronized/reversal trades contributed to more than 10% of the day’s quantity traded, on 5 days, contribution was more than 5% of the day’s quantity traded. These trades accounted for 1.40% of the gross quantity traded during the entire period of investigation.
  • 7. Page 7 of 17 • Out of 45 structured/synchronized/reversal trades, the Noticee executed 22 such trades with Inventure Growth Securities Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as ‘Inventure’), trading on behalf of Mangeram S Sharma, for 22,399 shares during the period from November 27, 2003 to December 12, 2003. Contribution of these trades to day’s quantity traded ranged from 2.98% to 8.44%. These trades accounted for 0.58% of the gross quantity traded during the period of investigation. Time difference between placement of buy and sell orders in these trades was 0 to 2 seconds. • Out of total of 45 synchronized trades on NSE by the Noticee, more than 90% of the orders were placed with time difference of less than 3 seconds and many of them were with zero time difference. The order, limit prices and quantities were also matched with those of the counter party broker/client in all these trades. The quantity, rate matched and reversal of trades were always with the same client. • These clients had nil delivery positions. In respect of trades executed on BSE • The price of the scrip increased from Rs.209.55 (on November 27, 2003) to Rs.443.10 (on December 23, 2003) in a span of 19 trading days. The scrip touched a highest price of Rs.478.00 on December 19, 2003. • The total traded quantity in the shares of AEL on BSE during the period of investigation was 11,32,400 shares. • Out of 11,32,400 shares, 3,42,780 shares (30.27%) were traded in circular/synchronized/reversal trades involving certain brokers, sub-brokers and clients. The details are as under:
  • 8. Page 8 of 17 Date Bought Qty Bought by Client (sub- broker/Broker) Bought From Client (Broker) Sold Qty Sold by Client (sub- broker/Broker) Sold To Client (Broker) 27.11.03 to 23.12.03 74450 ESS (ASE Capital) ESS (Naman Sec.) 74500 ESS (ASE Capital) ESS (Naman Sec.) 27.11.03 to 23.12.03 57475 Falguni Shah (through Rajesh N Jhaveri/ ASE Capital) V & S Intermediaries (through R J Shah / ASE Capital) 57490 Falguni Shah (through Rajesh N Jhaveri/ ASE Capital) V & S Intermediaries (through R J Shah / ASE Capital) 27.11.03 to 23.12.03 23340 Dilip Champalal Jain (through M/s E Stocks/Mangal Keshav) Own A/c (Vijay Bhagwandas) 25200 Dilip Champalal Jain (through M/s E Stocks/Mangal Keshav) Own A/c (Vijay Bhagwandas) 27.11.03 to 23.12.03 16050 Dilip Champalal Jain (through M/s E Stocks/Mangal Keshav) Tejas Ghelani (Sanchay Fincom) 14300 Dilip Champalal Jain (through M/s E Stocks/Mangal Keshav) Tejas Ghelani (Sanchay Fincom) • A total of 349 synchronized/reversal trades were executed amongst the Noticee, Sanchay Fincom and VBC for 78,890 shares (6.97% of the total market volume during the period of investigation). • Out of 349 trades, the Noticee and Sanchay Fincom executed 128 synchronized/reversal trades on 5 trading days during the period from December 9, 2003 to December 18, 2003. It generated a total volume of 30,350 shares accounting for 5.67% of the total market volume during the same period. • The Noticee and VBC executed 221 synchronized/reversal trades for 48,540 shares. • The synchronized/reversal trades of the Noticee accounted for more than 14% of the daily volume on 4 days and between 6 to 8.7% on other trading days till December 19, 2003. • For most trades, buy and sell orders were placed within a time difference of 0 to 3 seconds of each other. The order limit prices and quantities were also matching with those of the counterparty broker in all the trades. The reversal of trades took place within half an hour or one hour after execution of first set of trades.
  • 9. Page 9 of 17 • The Noticee, VBC and Sanchay Fincom executed/entered into reversal in trade transactions on 9th , 10th , 17th , 18th and 19th December, 2003. 12. The Hon’ble SAT in Ketan Parekh Vs. Securities & Exchange Board of India (Appeal No. 2 of 2004) held that in order to find out whether a transaction has been executed with the intention to manipulate the market or defeat its mechanism will depend upon the intention of the parties which could be inferred from the attending circumstances because direct evidence in such cases may not be available. In the case of Ashok K Chaudhary v SEBI, Appeal No 69 of 2008, dated November 5, 2008, the Hon’ble SAT observed that large number of reverse trades raises a presumption of manipulative transactions. In Nirmal Bang Securities Pvt. Ltd Vs Chairman, SEBI, Appeal No. 54-57/2002, dated October 31, 2003, the Hon’ble SAT observed that where there are too many transactions over a period of time giving an impression that these were all synchronized, the argument that the parties had no means of knowing whether any entity controlled by the client is simultaneously entering any contra order elsewhere for the reason that in the online trading system, confidentiality of counter parties is ensured, is untenable. 13. I find that the investigation did not establish any link (a) between the Noticee and its broker/sub-broker (b) between the Noticee and other brokers who had traded in the scrip (c) between the Noticee and clients of other brokers who had traded in the scrip (d) between Noticee and the company/directors of AEL. 14. However, the method and the manner in which the trades were executed are the most important factors to be considered in these
  • 10. Page 10 of 17 circumstances. The motive, thereafter, automatically falls in line. Trades like cross deals and synchronized trades are executed on the trading screen of a stock exchange and with proper delivery versus payment system. Clearly in almost all the deals, the orders are placed so as to ensure a matching of the buy and the sell quantity and the buy and the sell price with the counter party. The buy and the sell orders are placed at almost the same time between the counter brokers, with a difference of a few seconds. This proximity in the inputting of orders at the same price and for the same quantity, results in getting them matched, such that there is almost perfect matching in all the trades, with all the three parameters, viz., quantity, price and most importantly, the time required to conclude the trades, which to a large extent indicates synchronization in the logging in of the orders, albeit executed on the screen of the stock exchange. 15. This is what has transpired in the present case. A large number of trades got matched regularly. The phenomenal regularity with which the Noticee had indulged in such trades, leads one to conclude, that these transactions were effectively meant to manipulate the market. It is my considered belief that frequency of such trades ensured consistent matching of the orders purely for the purpose of projection of the volumes of the scrip in a way that was not the market determined volumes but with a sinister motive to induce other persons to invest in the said scrip. 16. In case an entity is alleged to have manipulated the market or distorted the market equilibrium in terms of the PFUTP Regulations and their acts are corroborated up to a certain extent by the investigation findings, then the underlying intention of the said entity is brought out. Furthermore, price manipulation does not only
  • 11. Page 11 of 17 involve the manipulation in the prices of the scrip but also includes building up of volumes. This is evident from the findings mentioned above. 17. The fact is that had the aforesaid discussed trades been executed in the normal course of business, the possibility of such perfect matching would not have been possible. The buy and sell prices of one entity were close to the buy/sell rates of the other entity in all the settlements, such that the trades of these entities were always matched. The transactions as pointed out in the tables earlier and spread over a short period of time are definitely done with some inbuilt component of ‘intent’ involved. Greater the number of such synchronized trades, the larger is the chances of trades not being genuine in nature, which is bound to affect the market equilibrium. A trade can be executed on the screen and still be manipulative in nature. Considering the number of such trades, it is clear that there has been a gross misuse of the screen based trading system. It is also to be stated that “intention” is inherent in all cases of synchronized trading involving large scale price manipulation and the same was also brought out in the earlier cited case of Nirmal Bang Securities (P) Ltd. vs SEBI by the Hon’ble SAT whereby it was observed that “Intention is reflected from the action of the Appellant. Choosing selective time slots does not appear to be an involuntary action.” 18. The Noticee by participating in the trading in this manner involved in the execution of synchronized/reversal transactions created artificial liquidity in the scrip and played a role in the manipulation of the trading. In my view, the Noticee through the said artificial trades interfered with the market equilibrium and thereby affected the manipulation of price and volume of the said scrip. The trades
  • 12. Page 12 of 17 executed herein by the Noticee were not the real trades as there was no intention to change the beneficial ownership. When the trades were inherently not genuine, I do not feel that it is necessary to prove that investors had, in fact, got induced and bought and/or sold on the basis of these trades. Similar views were expressed by the Hon’ble SAT in its order dated 14.7.2006 in Ketan Parekh Vs. SEBI wherein it had observed that “When a person takes part in or enters into transactions in securities with the intention to artificially raise or depress the price he thereby automatically induces the innocent investors in the market to buy /sell their stocks. The buyer or the seller is invariably influenced by the price of the stocks and if that is being manipulated the person doing so is necessarily influencing the decision of the buyer / seller thereby inducing him to buy or sell depending upon how the market has been manipulated. We are therefore of the view that inducement to any person to buy or sell securities is the necessary consequence of manipulation and flows therefrom. In other words, if the factum of manipulation is established it will necessarily follow that the investors in the market had been induced to buy or sell and that no further proof in this regard is required. The market, as already observed, is so wide spread that it may not be humanly possible for the Board to track the persons who were actually induced to buy or sell securities as a result of manipulation and law can never impose on the Board a burden which is impossible to be discharged. This, in our view, clearly flows from the plain language of Regulation 4(a) of the Regulations. 19. I find that the Noticee had executed 394 (349 on BSE and 45 on NSE) synchronized/reversal trades involving 1,55,943 shares. These trades contributed more than 10% of the days quantity traded on 2 days on NSE and it was more than 14% of the daily volume on 4 days on BSE. I also find from the Trade Book of E Stocks for AEL for the period from November 27, 2003 to
  • 13. Page 13 of 17 December 23, 2003 (which was submitted by E Stocks) that the Noticee had traded 1,80,238 shares out of which 1,55,943 was synchronized/reversed, which works out to 86.52%. 20. In order to establish the fraudulent nature of trades indulged in by the Noticee, reference may also be made to the definition of fraud laid down in regulation 2 (1) (c) of the PFUTP Regulations, which reads as follows: "2 (1)(c) "fraud" includes any act, expression, omission or concealment committed whether in a deceitful manner or not by a person or by any other person with his connivance or by his agent to deal in securities, whether or not there is any wrongful gain or avoidance of any loss, … …” 21. Regulation 4(2)(a) of PFUTP Regulations prohibits a person from indulging in an act which creates false or misleading appearance of trading in the securities market. Regulation 4(2)(b) of PFUTP Regulations prohibits dealings in a security intended to operate as a device to inflate, depress or cause fluctuations in the price of such security for wrongful gains. Regulation 4(2)(e) of PFUTP Regulations prohibits any act or omission amounting to manipulation of the price of a security. Regulation 4(2)(g) of PFUTP Regulations prohibits from entering into a transaction in securities without intention of performing it or without intention of change of ownership of such security. Regulation 4(2)(n) of PFUTP Regulations prohibits circular transactions in respect of a security entered into between intermediaries in order to provide a false appearance of trading in such security. As detailed above, the acts of the Noticee clearly created false and misleading appearance of trading in the shares of AEL and he did not act in a bonafide manner. The facts of the case highlight the Noticee’s involvement, by executing continuous synchronized/reversal trades in a substantial manner, in the manipulation of price/volume of the
  • 14. Page 14 of 17 shares of AEL which led to creation of artificial volume and misleading appearance of trading in the said shares on account of collusive activities with the entities as discussed in the preceding paragraphs. As the transactions executed by the Noticee in AEL were synchronized, there does not appear to be any genuine trading interest in the scrip. All these, resulted in violation of the provisions of regulations 4(1), 4(2)(a), (b), (e) and (g) of the PFUTP Regulations. 22. Generally, synchronized trades/cross deals/circular trades are the instruments/tools employed by some unscrupulous elements in the securities market to manipulate the market and deceive the general/genuine investors in the market place. The pattern of trading, behaviour of the entities, apparent irregularities and the available trading data, etc., prove manipulation which always depends on inferences drawn on a mass of factual detail. When all of these are considered together, they can emerge as ingredients to prove the manipulative scheme designed and executed by such manipulators with intent to tamper with free market forces. 23. I am of the view that the facts of the present case clearly bring out an element of fraud and unfair trade practices indulged in by the Noticee. Therefore, I hold that the charges leveled against the Noticee are proved and that the allegation of violation of provisions of regulations 4(1), 4(2)(a), (b), (e) and (g) of PFUTP Regulations by the Noticee stands established. 24. The Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in the matter of SEBI Vs. Shri Ram Mutual Fund [2006] 68 SCL 216(SC) held that “In our considered opinion, penalty is attracted as soon as the contravention of the statutory obligation as contemplated by the Act and the Regulations is
  • 15. Page 15 of 17 established and hence the intention of the parties committing such violation becomes wholly irrelevant…”. 25. Thus, the aforesaid violations by the Noticee make him liable for penalty under Section 15HA of SEBI Act, 1992 which read as follows: “Penalty for fraudulent and unfair trade practices 15HA. If any person indulges in fraudulent and unfair trade practices relating to securities, he shall be liable to a penalty of twenty-five crore rupees or three times the amount of profits made out of such practices, whichever is higher. 26. While determining the quantum of penalty under section 15HA, it is important to consider the factors stipulated in section 15J of SEBI Act, which reads as under:- “15J - Factors to be taken into account by the adjudicating officer While adjudging quantum of penalty under section 15-I, the adjudicating officer shall have due regard to the following factors, namely:- (a) the amount of disproportionate gain or unfair advantage, wherever quantifiable, made as a result of the default; (b) the amount of loss caused to an investor or group of investors as a result of the default; (c) the repetitive nature of the default.” 27. It is difficult, in cases of such nature, to quantify exactly the disproportionate gains or unfair advantage enjoyed by an entity and the consequent losses suffered by the investors. I have noted that the investigation report also does not dwell on the extent of specific gains made by the clients or sub-broker. Suffice to state that keeping in mind the practices indulged in by the Noticee, gains per se were made by the Noticee in that he traded in the scrip in a manner meant to create artificial volumes and liquidity which is an important criterion, apart from price, capable of misleading the investors while making an investment decision. In fact, liquidity/volumes in particular scrip raise the issue of ‘demand’ in
  • 16. Page 16 of 17 the securities market. Greater the liquidity, higher is the investors’ attraction towards investing in that scrip. Hence, anyone could have been carried away by the unusual fluctuations in the volumes and been induced into investing in the said scrip. Besides, this kind of activity seriously affects the normal price discovery mechanism of the securities market. People who indulge in manipulative, fraudulent and deceptive transactions, or abet the carrying out of such transactions which are fraudulent and deceptive, should be suitably penalized for the said acts of omissions and commissions. Considering the continuous effort of the Noticee in this aspect where the synchronized/reversal trades were carried out over a short period of time, it can safely be surmised that the nature of default was also repetitive. ORDER 28. After taking into consideration all the facts and circumstances of the case, I impose a penalty of Rs.50,000/- (Rupees fifty thousand only) on the Noticee which will be commensurate with the violations committed by him. 29. The Noticee shall pay the said amount of penalty by way of demand draft in favour of “SEBI - Penalties Remittable to Government of India”, payable at Mumbai, within 45 days of receipt of this order. The said demand draft should be forwarded to Ms. Pradnya Saravade, Officer on Special Duty, Investigations Department, SEBI, SEBI Bhavan, Plot No. C – 4 A, “G” Block, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra (E), Mumbai – 400 051.
  • 17. Page 17 of 17 30. In terms of rule 6 of the Rules, copies of this order are sent to the Noticee and also to the Securities and Exchange Board of India. Date: October 9, 2009 V.S.SUNDARESAN Place: Mumbai ADJUDICATING OFFICER