Interim Order cum Show Cause Notice in the matter of DGR Farms & Leisures Ltd.
- CitationWTM/SR/SEBI–WRO:ILO/152/07/2015
Ratio decidendi
The rule this decision rests on
SEBI's administrative jurisdiction over the issue and transfer of securities by a public company, whether listed or intending to list, derives from s.55A of the Companies Act, 1956, and extends to s.67 of that Act insofar as it relates to such issue and transfer. An offer of shares or debentures made to fifty or more persons is a public issue under the first proviso to s.67(3), notwithst
Written by Miss Lucy from the judgment below, not taken from a headnote.
Judgment
As delivered
WTM/SR/SEBI – WRO: ILO/152/07/2015 BEFORE THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE BOARD OF INDIA, MUMBAI CORAM: S. RAMAN, WHOLE TIME MEMBER ORDER Under Sections 11, 11(4), 11A and 11B of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992, in the matter of DGR Farms & Leisures Limited (PAN: AADCD2895N) and its Directors, viz. Shri Rakesh Kumar Gupta (PAN: AIXPG8273A; DIN: 02732171), Shri Umesh Soni (PAN: BTKPS1732H; DIN: 02778413), Smt Nivedita Gupta (PAN: AHLPG5454E; DIN: 003512748), Shri Umesh Gupta (PAN: AHAPG438ON; DIN: 03521013), Shri Alok Kumar Singh (PAN: AWJPS1018D; DIN: 03627367), Shri Jainendra Kumar Patel (PAN: AKOPP8093N; DIN: 3627378), Shri Sanjay Kumar Gupta (PAN: AIZPG2134Q; DIN: 03627386), Shri Shankar Lal Gupta (PAN: AGMPG4657M; DIN: 03627395), Shri Vijay Kumar Shukla (PAN: BLHP53014H; DIN: 06420025), Shri Jitendra Kumar Tripathi (PAN: ADIPT4968P; DIN: 06374893) and Shri Sushil Kumar Dubey (PAN: AFAPD7831F; DIN: 02864899).
1. Securities and Exchange Board of India ("SEBI") received a copy of complaint alongwith a Witness Summon in the matter of Devmuni Patel vs. Umesh Gupta & Others at Rewa Court, Madhya Pradesh. The hearing before the aforesaid Court was attended by a SEBI Officer and on that date, a copy of the petition filed by the complainant i.e. Devmuni Patel, was also obtained. As per the aforementioned complaint, it was alleged that DGR Farms & Leisures Limited ("DGR") along with its Directors at the relevant time, viz. Shri Rakesh Kumar Gupta, Shri Alok Kumar Singh and Shri Umesh Gupta, had provided false information about the company to induce the complainant to invest in its shares. It was also alleged that DGR had illegally mobilized at least 10 Crores in a similar manner, from approximately five thousand investors.
2.1 Thereafter, vide letter dated November 17, 2014, SEBI sought the following information from DGR and its Directors at the relevant time, viz. Shri Rakesh Kumar Gupta, Shri Umesh Soni, Smt Nivedita Gupta, Shri Umesh Gupta, Shri Alok Kumar Singh, Shri Jainendra Kumar Patel, Shri Sanjay Kumar Gupta, Shri Shankar Lal Gupta, Shri Vijay Kumar Shukla and Shri Jitendra Kumar Tripathi, – i. Memorandum and Articles of Associations of the Company as filed with the Registrar of Companies (“ROC”);
ii. Details of the past and present Directors of the company including name, address, PAN and contact details (Email/fax/Contact no.) of the Directors. iii. List of all shareholders from incorporation till date with number of shares held. iv. Brochures pertaining to the schemes/offers which were made available to the public. v. Copies of applications forms that were required to be submitted by investors/applicants to participate in the schemes. vi. Sample copies of the regulations letter and allotment letter issued to the investors who subscribed to the schemes. vii. Sample copies of the agreement letter/contract required to be entered into by investor/applicant under the schemes. viii. Details of the scheme wise amount mobilized by the company till date along with the number of investors under the schemes. ix. Name & address of all investors who invested their money in the company. x. List of all branches with their address. xi. Details of the commission structure of the agents of the company. xii. List of all the properties acquired by the company from the money of investors held in the company's name or in name of any other person. xiii. Certified copy of Audited Financial Statement for the Financial Years 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13 & 2013–14. Copy of detailed trial balance from April 2014 till date. xiv. Copy of Income Tax Return filed by the company for Financial Year 2009–10 till date. xv. Details of the regulatory approvals obtained by the company, if any, for provision of accidental death/disability benefits to investor, under the schemes. xvi. Details of any other similar scheme(s) or debentures issue, if any, floated by the company or its Group/Associate Company or companies in which its Directors are also Directors. xvii. Whether the company/its Directors have been charged by Police of any State wherein it operates in respect of complaints made by investors of the company. If yes, please provide copy of all FIRs, all charge-sheets filed by police and all court order(s) against the company/ its Directors.
2.2 Simultaneously, on November 18, 2014, SEBI also sought further details regarding fund mobilization by DGR, from the complainant. The complainant replied vide e–mail dated November 18, 2014, wherein he submitted the following information, viz. – i. List of 153 persons to whom preference shares were allotted by DGR from 2012–13 to 2013–14; ii. Copies of Circulars dated June 1, 2011 (Circular No. 17/2011) and August 10, 2013 (Circular No. 24/2013) by DGR in respect of preference shares issued by that company; iii. A copy of preference share Certificate issued by DGR to an investor alongwith payment receipt of 100000.
2.3.1 On November 27, 2014, the authorised representative of DGR submitted inter alia the following information to SEBI, i. Copy of Memorandum and Article of Association of the company; ii. Details of past and present Directors of the company; iii. List of shareholders of the company; iv. Brochures pertaining to the company’s real estate business; v. Copy of applicant registration form; vi. Certified copies of Audited Financial Statement for the Financial Years 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12 and 2012–13; vii. Copy of Income Tax Return.
2.3.2 In addition to the above, the authorised representative of DGR submitted that – i. There were no investors in DGR. ii. All necessary approvals from the concerned regulatory authority were taken by DGR; iii. Since DGR was engaged in the business of builder and developers, it had published brochures pertaining to real estate business which are enclosed. DGR had not published any scheme/offer document which were made public iv. DGR had raised funds from the issue of equity and preference shares for which necessary requirements were fulfilled by the company; v. Neither DGR nor its Directors have been charged by any State’s police nor have any complaints been made against the company, by stakeholders. vi. There is only one branch of the company having address as - In front of Zulelal Mandir, Burhar Road, Shahdol–484001, Madhya Pradesh. vii. Since there were no agents of the company, no commission structure is available.
viii. There was no money held by the company from the investors. DGR has only taken advance from the customers for projects.
2.3.3 As the information submitted by the authorised representative of DGR was incomplete, SEBI advised him to submit the remaining information (as sought vide abovementioned letter dated November 17, 2014) by December 5, 2014.
2.4 However, as no information was received from DGR, SEBI, vide letter dated December 23, 2014, once again advised DGR to submit the remaining information (as sought vide abovementioned letter dated November 17, 2014). In this regard, a request for additional time was received from DGR on December 30, 2014, which was duly granted by SEBI.
2.5 Subsequently, vide letter dated January 7, 2015 and e–mail dated January 14, 2015, DGR submitted some more information to SEBI.
2.6.1 Pursuant to an examination of the information submitted by DGR, it was observed that there was a mismatch between the said information and that submitted by the complainant. Further, it was observed that details regarding preference shares allotted after March 31, 2014, had not been submitted by DGR.
2.6.2 From the Balance Sheet filed by DGR with the ROC for the Financial Year 2013–14, it was noted that 11988 preference shares were issued by the company as on March 31, 2014. However, the aforesaid figure did not tally with the information submitted by DGR to SEBI since for that very same period i.e. Financial Year 2013–14, it was observed that 34580 preference shares were allotted to 94 persons. The aforesaid implies that there were additional allottees to whom 22592 preference shares were allotted. However, the complete list of these additional allottees was not provided by DGR.
2.7 Accordingly, further details was sought from DGR, vide SEBI letter dated April 15, 2015. DGR replied to the aforesaid letter vide reply dated April 28, 2015, wherein it submitted – i. Since EGM could not be held for want of quorum, shares could not be allotted in time, so the amount of preference shares and the dates varied.
ii. A final list of 184 preference shareholders including those to whom preference shares were issued after March 31, 2014, is provided. iii. The data provided by the complainant is manipulated and hence, no comment is made upon the same. iv. With reference to explanation sought regarding Circulars issued, DGR chose to provide clarification only in respect of the Circular dated August 10, 2013. As per the company, it had issued the circular however, due to some legal implications immediately withdrew the same and never issued any preference shares based on the terms and conditions mentioned therein. v. DGR denied publication of any brochure for the issuance of preference shares. However, DGR admitted issuing preference shares to 184 investors, which were cumulative and redeemable after 6 years. DGR further informed that dividend payable on preference shares amounting to 58940 was at the rate of 12.50 per cent and on balance of preference shares amounting to 60940 dividend payable was at the rate of 13%. However, till date, DGR has not redeemed any preference shares as the same is not due for redemption. vi. DGR, however, did not comment on the Joint Venture Certificates.
3. The material available on record i.e. correspondences exchanged between SEBI and DGR alongwith the documents contained therein; the abovementioned complaint alongwith documents submitted by the complainant as received by SEBI and information obtained from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs' website i.e. MCA 21 Portal, etc. have been perused. On an examination of the same, it is observed that – i. DGR was incorporated on October 27, 2009, with CIN as U01100MP2009PLC022547. Its Registered Office is at 8, Patrakar Colony, Link Road 3, Bhopal–462003, Madhya Pradesh, India.
ii. The present Directors of DGR are Shri Rakesh Kumar Gupta, Shri Umesh Soni, Smt Nivedita Gupta, Shri Umesh Gupta, Shri Alok Kumar Singh, Shri Jainendra Kumar Patel, Shri Sanjay Kumar Gupta, Shri Shankar Lal Gupta and Shri Vijay Kumar Shukla.
iii. Shri Jitendra Kumar Tripathi and Shri Sushil Kumar Dubey, who were earlier Directors of DGR, have since resigned.
iv. From the material available on record i.e. Form 2 (Form for Return of Allotment – filed with the ROC in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act, 1956), other documents filed by that company with the ROC and information submitted by DGR vide letters dated November 27, 2014; January 7, 2015; April 28, 2015 and an undated letter received at SEBI on January 14, 2015, it is observed that the company issued "Cumulative Redeemable Preference Shares" ("Offer of Preference Shares") to investors during the Financial Years 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13 and 2013– 14, details of which are provided below –
Type of Security Year No. of persons to whom Total Amount preference shares were allotted ( in Crores) 2009–10 2 0.01 Cumulative Redeemable 2010–11 5 0.04 Preference Shares 2011–12 32 0.15 2012–13 11 0.07 2013–14 141 0.98 Total 191 1.25 v. It is pertinent to note that SEBI had time and again received contradictory information from DGR regarding the number of allottees and preference shares issued to investors under the Offer of Preference Shares, as indicated below (See also paragraph 2.6.2) –
Sr. No. Letter dated/received at SEBI Total no. of persons to whom preference shares were allotted 1. Letter dated November 27, 2014 136 2. January 7, 2015; 183 3. DGR’s undated letter 137 (received at SEBI on January 14, 2015) 4. April 28, 2015 184
4.1 In the context of the abovementioned details of the Offer of Preference Shares, the issue for determination in the instant matter is whether the mobilization of funds by DGR through the aforesaid, is in accordance with the provisions of the SEBI Act, 1992 ("SEBI Act") and the Companies Act, 1956.
4.2 I note that the jurisdiction of SEBI over various provisions of the Companies Act in the case of public companies, whether listed or unlisted, when they issue and transfer securities, flows from the provisions of Section 55A of the Companies Act. While examining the scope of Section 55A of the Companies Act, 1956, the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in Sahara India Real Estate Corporation Limited & Ors. vs. SEBI (Civil Appeal no. 9813 of 2011) (Judgment dated August 31, 2012) (hereinafter referred to as the "Sahara Case"), had observed:
"We, therefore, hold that, so far as the provisions enumerated in the opening portion of Section 55A of the Companies Act, so far as they relate to issue and transfer of securities and non-payment of dividend is concerned, SEBI has the power to administer in the case of listed public companies and in the case of those public companies which intend to get their securities listed on a recognized stock exchange in India."
4.3 In this regard – i. Reference is also made to Sections 67(1) and 67(3) of the Companies Act, 1956, which are reproduced as under:
"67. Construction of reference to offering shares or debentures to the public, etc. 67. (1) Any reference in this Act or in the articles of a company to offering shares or debentures to the public shall, subject to any provision to the contrary contained in this Act and subject also to the provisions of sub-sections (3) and (4), be construed as including a reference to offering them to any section of the public, whether selected as members or debenture holders of the company concerned or as clients of the person issuing the prospectus or in any other manner. (2) Any reference in this Act or in the articles of a company to invitations to the public to subscribe for shares or debentures shall, subject as aforesaid, be construed as including a reference to invitations to subscribe for them extended to any section of the public, whether selected as members or debenture holders of the company concerned or as clients of the person issuing the prospectus or in any other manner.
(3) No offer or invitation shall be treated as made to the public by virtue of sub-section (1) or sub-section (2), as the case may be, if the offer or invitation can properly be regarded, in all the circumstances- (a) as not being calculated to result, directly or indirectly, in the shares or debentures becoming available for subscription or purchase by persons other than those receiving the offer or invitation; or (b) otherwise as being a domestic concern of the persons making and receiving the offer or invitation. Provided that nothing contained in this sub-section shall apply in a case where the offer or invitation to subscribe for shares or debentures is made to fifty persons or more: Provided further that nothing contained in the first proviso shall apply to non-banking financial companies or public financial institutions specified in section 4A of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956).”
ii. While examining the scope of Section 67 of the Companies Act, 1956, the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in the Sahara Case observed that:
"Section 67(1) deals with the offer of shares and debentures to the public and Section 67(2) deals with invitation to the public to subscribe for shares and debentures and how those expressions are to be understood, when reference is made to the Act or in the articles of a company. The emphasis in Section 67(1) and (2) is on the “section of the public”. Section 67(3) states that no offer or invitation shall be treated as made to the public, by virtue of subsections (1) and (2), that is to any section of the public, if the offer or invitation is not being calculated to result, directly or indirectly, in the shares or debentures becoming available for subscription or purchase by persons other than those receiving the offer or invitation or otherwise as being a domestic concern of the persons making and receiving the offer or invitations. Section 67(3) is, therefore, an exception to Sections 67(1) and (2). If the circumstances mentioned in clauses (1) and (b) of Section 67(3) are satisfied, then the offer/invitation would not be treated as being made to the public. The first proviso to Section 67(3) was inserted by the Companies (Amendment) Act, 2000 w.e.f. 13.12.2000, which clearly indicates, nothing contained in Sub-section (3) of Section 67 shall apply in a case where the offer or invitation to subscribe for shares or debentures is made to fifty persons or more. … Resultantly, if an offer of securities is made to fifty or more persons, it would be deemed to be a public issue, even if it is of domestic concern or proved that the shares or debentures are not available for subscription or purchase by persons other than those received the offer or invitation. … I may, therefore, indicate, subject to what has been stated above, in India that any share or debenture issue beyond forty nine persons, would be a public issue attracting all the relevant provisions of the SEBI Act, regulations framed thereunder, the Companies Act, pertaining to the public issue. …"
iii. In the instant matter, for ascertaining whether the Offer of Preference Shares is a public issue or an issue on private placement basis in accordance with Section 67 of the Companies Act, 1956, the number of subscribers is of utmost importance.
a. Under the Offer of Preference Shares, it is observed that during the Financial Years 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13 and 2013–14, DGR allotted Cumulative Redeemable Preference Shares to a total of 191 individuals/investors and admittedly mobilized an amount of 1.25 Crores (Table at paragraph 3(iv) of page 6). The number of investors to whom allotments were made under the Offer of Preference Shares during the Financial Year 2013–14 alongwith the amount mobilized therein, would prima facie indicate that the number of persons to whom such Offer was made, was above the limit of forty–nine persons as prescribed under the first proviso to Section 67(3) of the Companies Act, 1956.
b. It is observed that DGR is not stated to be a Non–banking financial company or public financial institution within the meaning of Section 4A of the Companies Act, 1956. In view of the aforesaid, I, therefore, find that DGR is not covered under the second proviso to Section 67(3) of the Companies Act, 1956.
c. In view of the above, the Offer of Preference Shares by DGR, would prima facie qualify as a public issue under the first proviso to Section 67(3) of the Companies Act, 1956. In this regard, it is pertinent to note that by virtue of Section 55A of the Companies Act, 1956, Section 67 of that Act, so far as it relates to issue and transfer of securities, shall also be administered by SEBI.
4.4 I note that – i. From the abovementioned, it will follow that since the Offer of Preference Shares is a public issue of securities, such securities shall also have to be listed on a recognized stock exchange, as mandated under Section 73 of the Companies Act, 1956. In this regard, reference is made to Sections 73 of the Companies Act, 1956, of which sub- Sections (1), (2) and (3) are relevant for the instant case, which is reproduced as under:
"73. (1) Every company intending to offer shares or debentures to the public for subscription by the issue of a prospectus shall, before such issue, make an application to one or more recognised stock exchanges for permission for the shares or debentures intending to be so offered to be dealt with in the stock exchange or each such stock exchange. (1A) Where a prospectus, whether issued generally or not, states that an application under sub-section (1) has been made for permission for the shares or debentures offered thereby to be dealt in one or more recognized stock exchanges, such prospectus shall state the name of the stock exchange or, as the case may be, each such stock exchange, and any allotment made on an application in pursuance of such prospectus shall, whenever made, be void, if the permission has not been granted by the stock exchange or each such stock exchange, as the case may be, before the expiry of ten weeks from the date of the closing of the subscription lists: Provided that where an appeal against the decision of any recognized stock exchange refusing permission for the shares or debentures to be dealt in on that stock exchange has been preferred under section 22 of the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956 (42 of 1956), such allotment shall not be void until the dismissal of the appeal.
(2) Where the permission has not been applied under subsection (1) or such permission having been applied for, has not been granted as aforesaid, the company shall forthwith repay without interest all moneys received from applicants in pursuance of the prospectus, and, if any such money is not repaid within eight days after the company becomes liable to repay it, the company and every director of the company who is an officer in default shall, on and from the expiry of the eighth day, be jointly and severally liable to repay that money with interest at such rate, not less than four per cent and not more than fifteen per cent, as may be prescribed, having regard to the length of the period of delay in making the repayment of such money. (3) All moneys received as aforesaid shall be kept in a separate bank account maintained with a Scheduled Bank 1 [until the permission has been granted, or where an appeal has been preferred against the refusal to grant such. permission, until the disposal of the appeal, and the money standing in such separate account shall, where the permission has not been applied for as aforesaid or has not been granted, be repaid within the time and in the manner specified in sub-section (2)]; and if default is made in complying with this sub-section, the company, and every officer of the company who is in default, shall be punishable with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees.”
ii. In the Sahara Case, the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India also examined Section 73 of the Companies Act, 1956, wherein it observed that – "Section 73(1) of the Act casts an obligation on every company intending to offer shares or debentures to the public to apply on a stock exchange for listing of its securities. Such companies have no option or choice but to list their securities on a recognized stock exchange, once they invite subscription from over forty nine investors from the public. If an unlisted company expresses its intention, by conduct or otherwise, to offer its securities to the public by the issue of a prospectus, the legal obligation to make an application on a recognized stock exchange for listing starts. Sub-section (1A) of Section 73 gives indication of what are the particulars to be stated in such a prospectus. The consequences of not applying for the permission under sub-section (1) of Section 73 or not granting of permission is clearly stipulated in sub-section (3) of Section 73. Obligation to refund the amount collected from the public with interest is also mandatory as per Section 73(2) of the Act. Listing is, therefore, a legal responsibility of the company which offers securities to the public, provided offers are made to more than 50 persons. … Section 73(2) says that every company and every director of the company who is an officer in default, shall be jointly and severally liable to repay that money with interest at such rate, not less than four per cent and not more than fifteen per cent, as may be prescribed. The scope of the above mentioned provisions came up for consideration before this Court in Raymond Synthetics Ltd. & Ors. V. Union of India (supra), wherein the Court held that in a case where the company has not applied for listing on a stock exchange, the consequences will flow from the company’s disobedience of the law, the liability to pay interest arises as from the date of receipt of the amounts, for the company ought not to have received any such amount in response to the prospectus. I am, therefore, of the view that since Saharas had violated the listing provisions and collected huge amounts from the public in disobedience of law, SEBI is justified in directing refund of the amount with interest."
iii. Having regard to the abovementioned observations of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India, since the Offer of Preference Shares is prima facie a public issue in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act, 1956, the same will attract the requirement of compulsory listing before a recognized stock exchange in terms of Section 73(1) of the Companies Act, 1956 and also compliance with the provisions of Sections 73(2) and 73(3) of that Act.
iv. In the facts of the instant case, it prima facie appears that DGR has violated the provisions of Section 73 of the Companies Act, 1956, in respect of the Offer of Preference Shares.
4.5 Under Section 2(36) read with Section 60 of the Companies Act, 1956, a company needs to register its prospectus with the ROC, before making a public offer or issuing the prospectus. As per the aforesaid Section 2(36), “prospectus” means any document described or issued as a prospectus and includes any notice, circular, advertisement or other document inviting deposits from the public or inviting offers from the public for the subscription or purchase of any shares in, or debentures of, a body corporate. As mentioned above, since the Offer of Preference Shares was made to fifty persons or more, it has to be construed as a public offer. Having made a public offer, DGR was required to register a prospectus with the ROC under Section 60 of the Companies Act, 1956. I find that there is no evidence on record to indicate whether or not DGR has complied with the provisions of Section 60 of Companies Act, 1956. In view of the same, I find that DGR has prima facie not complied with the provisions of Section 60 of Companies Act, 1956.
4.6 Under Section 56(1) of the Companies Act, 1956, every prospectus issued by or on behalf of a company, shall state the matters specified in Part I and set out the reports specified in Part II of Schedule II of that Act. Further, as per Section 56(3) of the Companies Act, 1956, no one shall issue any form of application for shares in or debentures of a company, unless the form is accompanied by abridged prospectus, contain disclosures as specified. Based on the material available on record, I find that DGR has not complied with the provisions of Section 56(1) and 56(3) of the Companies Act, 1956 and therefore, has prima facie violated the aforesaid provisions.
4.7 Upon a consideration of the aforementioned paragraphs, I am of the view that DGR is prima facie engaged in fund mobilising activity from the public, through the Offer of Preference Shares and as a result of the aforesaid activity has violated the aforementioned provisions of the Companies Act, 1956 (Section 56, Section 60 read with Section 2(36), Section 73).
5. SEBI has a statutory duty to protect the interests of investors in securities and promote the development of, and to regulate, the securities market. Section 11 of the SEBI Act has empowered it to take such measures as it deems fit for fulfilling its legislative mandate. Further, as per the provisions of Section 55A of the Companies Act, 1956, administrative authority on the subjects relating to public issue of securities is exclusively with SEBI. For this purpose, SEBI can exercise its jurisdiction under Sections 11(1), 11A, 11B and 11(4) of the SEBI Act read with Section 55A of the Companies Act, 1956 (as mentioned in paragraphs 4.1–4.7 above). Steps therefore, have to be taken in the instant matter to ensure only legitimate fund raising activities are carried on by DGR and no investors are defrauded. In light of the facts in the instant matter, I find that there is no other alternative but to take recourse through an interim action against DGR and its Directors, for preventing that company from further carrying on with its fund mobilising activity under the Offer of Preference Shares.
6. Shri Jitendra Kumar Tripathi and Shri Sushil Kumar Dubey, who were earlier Directors of DGR, have since resigned.
7. In view of the foregoing, I, in exercise of the powers conferred upon me under Sections 11, 11(4), 11A and 11B of the SEBI Act, hereby issue the following directions – i. DGR (PAN: AADCD2895N) shall forthwith cease to mobilize funds from investors through the Offer of Preference Shares or through the issuance of equity shares or any other securities, to the public and/or invite subscription, in any manner whatsoever, either directly or indirectly till further directions; ii. DGR and its present Directors, viz. Shri Rakesh Kumar Gupta (PAN: AIXPG8273A; DIN: 02732171), Shri Umesh Soni (PAN: BTKPS1732H; DIN: 02778413), Smt Nivedita Gupta (PAN: AHLPG5454E; DIN: 003512748), Shri Umesh Gupta (PAN: AHAPG438ON; DIN: 03521013), Shri Alok Kumar Singh (PAN: AWJPS1018D; DIN: 03627367), Shri Jainendra Kumar Patel (PAN: AKOPP8093N; DIN: 3627378), Shri Sanjay Kumar Gupta (PAN: AIZPG2134Q; DIN: 03627386), Shri Shankar Lal Gupta (PAN: AGMPG4657M; DIN: 03627395) and Shri Vijay Kumar Shukla (PAN: BLHP53014H; DIN: 06420025), are prohibited from issuing prospectus or any offer document or issue advertisement for soliciting money from the public for the issue of securities, in any manner whatsoever, either directly or indirectly, till further orders; iii. The past Directors of DGR, viz. Shri Jitendra Kumar Tripathi (PAN: ADIPT4968P; DIN: 06374893) and Shri Sushil Kumar Dubey (PAN: AFAPD7831F; DIN:
02864899), are prohibited from issuing prospectus or any offer document or issue advertisement for soliciting money from the public for the issue of securities, in any manner whatsoever, either directly or indirectly, till further orders; iv. DGR and its abovementioned past and present Directors, are restrained from accessing the securities market and further prohibited from buying, selling or otherwise dealing in the securities market, either directly or indirectly, till further directions; v. DGR shall provide a full inventory of all its assets and properties; vi. DGR's abovementioned past and present Directors shall provide a full inventory of all their assets and properties; vii. DGR and its abovementioned present Directors shall not dispose of any of the properties or alienate or encumber any of the assets owned/acquired by that company through the Offer of Preference Shares, without prior permission from SEBI; viii. DGR and its abovementioned present Directors shall not divert any funds raised from public at large through the Offer of Preference Shares, which are kept in bank account(s) and/or in the custody of DGR.
8. The above directions shall take effect immediately and shall be in force until further orders.
9.1 The prima facie observations contained in this Order are made on the basis of the material available on record i.e. correspondences exchanged between SEBI and DGR alongwith the documents contained therein; the abovementioned complaint alongwith documents submitted by the complainant as received by SEBI and information obtained from MCA 21 Portal, etc. In this context, DGR and its abovementioned Directors are advised to show cause as to why suitable directions/prohibitions under Sections 11(1), 11(4), 11A and 11B of the SEBI Act including the following, should not be taken/imposed against them:
i. Directing them jointly and severally to refund money collected through the Offer of Preference Shares alongwith interest, if any, promised to investors therein; ii. Directing them not to issue prospectus or any offer document or issue advertisement for soliciting money from the public for the issue of securities, in any manner whatsoever, either directly or indirectly, for an appropriate period;
iii. Directing them to refrain from accessing the securities market and prohibiting them from buying, selling or otherwise dealing in securities for an appropriate period.
9.2 DGR and its abovementioned Directors, may, within 21 days from the date of receipt of this Order, file their replies, if any, to this Order and may also indicate whether they desire to avail themselves an opportunity of personal hearing on a date and time to be fixed on a specific request made in that regard.
10. This Order is without prejudice to the right of SEBI to take any other action that may be initiated against DGR and its abovementioned Directors, in accordance with law.
Place: Mumbai S. RAMAN Date: July 30, 2015 WHOLE TIME MEMBER SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE BOARD OF INDIA
This page reproduces a public judgment and a summary of it. It is research material, not legal advice, and it is no substitute for advice from an advocate on your own facts.
Research this judgment with Miss Lucy
Ask what it holds, what has followed it, and what it means for your matter — in plain English, with the citations.
Try Miss Lucy free