Interim order in the matter of SMS Techsoft (India) Ltd[SAT Appeal No.:182/2018]

WTM/RKA/ 41 /ISD/2013 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE BOARD OF INDIA ORDER DIRECTIONS UNDER SECTION 11(1), 11(4) and 11B OF THE SEBI ACT, 1992 AND SECTION 12A OF THE SECURITIES CONTRACTS (REGULATION) ACT, 1956 - IN THE MATTER OF SMS TECHSOFT (INDIA) LTD. 1. Securities and Exchange Board of India (hereinafter referred to as "SEBI") noticed an outburst of Short Text Messages (SMS) during February – March 2013, mentioning therein buy recommendation for the scrip of SMS Techsoft (India) Limited (hereinafter referred to as "SMS Tech/ company"). The details of such SMS's are as under: i. "BUY SMS TECHSOFT LTD (BSE 531838) RS.0.45. TARGET RS. 5 + 9. BIG ORDER FROM BANKING + ATM TRANSACTION" – Senders’ Mobile No: +918608862368; +918015874386 ii. "BUY SMS TECHSOFT LTD (BSE 531838) RS.0.45 PAISE. TARGET RS. 5+. BIG ORDERS FROM BANKING AND ATM TRANSACTION. BIG PROFIT" – Senders’ Mobile No: +9208125980. iii. "BUY SMS TECHSOFT LTD (BSE 531838) RS.0.45. TARGET RS. 5 + 9. BIG ORDERS FROM BANKING+ ATM TRANSACTION. – Senders’ Mobile No: www.theeagleinvestor.co.in" - +919210421689; +917299532689 iv. "JACKPOT CALL - BUY SMS TECHSOFT LTD (BSE 531838) AT 0.40 PAISE TARGET RS. 5+, BIG ORDERS FROM BANKING AND ATM TRANSACTION. – Sender: LM-066462. 2. In view of the above SMSs mentioning predominantly rumours for buy recommendations, SEBI undertook inquiry in the matter. It was noted that SMS Tech was listed in December 2000 on BSE. It was formerly known as AKL Soft and Infosys (India) Ltd. with its registered office at Coimbatore. It is also listed on Coimbatore Stock Exchange Limited. For the Financial Year 2011-12, the auditor of the company was Mr. Amit Macwan (Member no: 107891) and for the Financial Year 2012-13, M/s K. R. Shah & Associate (Membership no: 034612) was its auditor. List of directors of SMS Tech is given below: Table 1- List of Directors DIN/DPI Full PAN Present residential Designation Date of N/PAN Name address Appointment 00357165 Devaraj ACGPD1909G 94-A, Sabapathi Street, Independent 10/12/2008 Siddiah K. K. Pudur, director- Pera Naidu Coimbatore, 641038, Member of Tamil Nadu Audit Committee 02002777 Dilipbhai ADVPG4094Q 5 Punyashlok Apt, Independent 20/03/2007 Jaswantlal Navrangpura, director- Gajjar Ahmedabad, 380009, Member of Gujarat Audit

Committee 02112261 Vital ACJPJ5747L 32, Deshabandhu Promoter and 06/04/1995 Jagadish Street, Ram Nagar, Managing Coimbatore, 641009, director Tamil Nadu 03323567 Akash ATYPA8648K 32, Desabandhu Street, Promoter- 10/12/2008 Jagadish Ram Nagar, Director Vital Coimbatore, 641009, Tamil Nadu 05137258 Dashrathk ACFPK3128C D/9, Ratnadhara Apt., Independent 20/03/2007 umar Girdharnagar, director- Keshaji Shahibaug, Ahmedabad, Member of Khatri 380004, Gujarat Audit Committee

3. SMS Tech had a paid up capital of `5,05,72,000/- comprising of 50.57 lakh shares of `10/-each as on quarter ending December, 2011 with only one promoter namely Shri V. Jagadish who was holding only 1,410 shares, i.e., 0.03% of the share capital of the company. 4. It was noticed that on March 15, 2012, SMS Tech had made further issue of 3,00,00,000 equity shares of `10/- each at a price of `10/- each through preferential allotment to the promoter Shri V. Jagadish and his wife and son, namely, Smt. Anita Srinivasbhatt Kadsanthalai and Shri Akash Jagadish Vital who are also disclosed as promoters of the company, and also to 28 other entities. The list of allottees in the said preferential allotment is given in the following Table: Table-2-List of Allottees under Preferential Allotment

Sr No NAME PAN Shares Allotted 1. Akash Jagadish Vital ATYPA8648K 451000 2. Anita Srinivasabhatt Kadanthalai ABUPA2184Q 297000 3. Jagadish Vital ACJPJ5747L 998590 4. Alakaben Kirtibhai Shah CPAPS2335R 996000 5. Bafna S R AFXPB6525P 996000 6. Chhaya Umeshchandra Trivedi AHDPT3058P 997500 7. Dharmendra Rikhavchand Shah AAEHD6246F 1045000 8. Himadri Kamleshbhai Shah AZYPS5654H 996000 9. Himanshu Prafulchandra Shah ANEPS9445A 995000 10. Kaliyaben Himansu Shah BFQPS1462A 995000 11. Kanubhai Narandas Thakkar ADZPT3418R 997000 12. Karan Kirtibhai Shah BQYPS0082D 995000 13. Keval Kirtikumar Shah DFNPS6796L 997500 14. Kirtikumar Rasiklal Shah AKQPS8463F 995000 15. K Rajagopal AGCPR8130L 998000 16. Mahavirsingh N Chauhan AQOPC6330R 1253410 17. Maheshchandra Chunilal Shah AIOPS3870Q 1050000 18. Meenaben Natubhai Thakkar AHWPT5940M 995000 19. Minaben Prafulbhai Shah COYPS9153J 994000

20. Mitesh Kanaiyalal Thakkar AHQPT0178H 997000 21. Mukeshbhai Shantilal Thakkar AJBPT8789M 996000 22. Mulchand Ganeshmal Jain ABBPJ6373M 998000 23. Natubhai Shantilal Thakkar AHWPT5944R 997000 24. Navinchandra Kanubhai Thakkar ADUPT1264A 995000 25. Nila Rajeshkumar Shah BSLPS2675B 995000 26. Pruthvi Himanshu Shah DCAPS6011N 996000 27. S Rajaganesh ALBPR2586E 997000 28. Suresh Nenmalji Malvi AKMPM4951C 997000 29. Vaishali Natvarlal Thakkar AMJPT1242N 998500 30. Vinit Kamleshkumar Shah BOIPS2506E 994500 31. Vinod Jain AEDPJ4235P 997000 5. It was observed that that majority of the allottees in the preferential allotment are Ahmedabad based entities. From the respective KYC documents, it was noted that 27 out of the 28 allottees (from serial number 4-31, except Dharmendra Rikhavchand Shah i.e. allottee at serial number 7) had a common mobile number, i.e., '9825032074' and a common e-mail address, i.e., 'rajranka8@yahoo.com'. The said mobile number and email address belong to Shri Rajesh Mangilal Ranka (PAN: ACUPR5573R) having address of ‘G-13, Orchid Greens, Near Girdharnagar Cros, Opp.

Agarwal Hotel, Girdhar Nagar, Shahib Shahibaug, Ahmedabad’, who was restrained from buying, selling or dealing in securities market in any manner whatsoever for a period of 2 years vide SEBI order No. WTM/PS/28/IVD/ID-06/JULY/10 dated July 28, 2010. The other allottee, i.e., Dharmendra Rikhavchand Shah had transferred 25 lac shares of the company to another allottee, namely, i.e., Maheshchandra Chunilal Shah. Thus, it was observed that the said 28 allottees and Sri Rajesh Mangilal Ranka (all these 28 entities and Sri Rajesh Mangilal Ranka are hereinafter collectively referred to as "the Ranka Group") were connected with each other on the basis of the factors summarised in the following Table: Table 3- Factors for determining connection amongst allottees other than promoters. Serial. Name of person PAN Basis of relationship with Shri Rajesh Ranka No. 1. Alka K Shah CPAPS2335R 2. Himadri K Shah AZYPS5654H  As per KYCs submitted by their broker 3. Himanshu P Shah ANEPS9445A Monarch Research and Brokerage Pvt. Ltd., 4. Karan K Shah BQYPS0082D entities from serial number 1 to 7, 9 to 18, 20 5. Keval K Shah DFNPS6796L to 23 and 25 share common e-mail ID 6. Khubhai N Thakkar ADZPT3418R (rajranka8@yahoo.com) and Mobile Number 7. Mukesh S Thakkar AJBPT8789M (9825032074) with Shri Rajesh Ranka.

8. Meenaben Thakkar AHWPT5940M 9. Mitesh K Thakkar AHQPT0178H  As per KYC of Monarch Project and 10. Mulchand G Jain ABBPJ6373M Finmarket Pvt. Ltd. (DP), entity at serial 11. Navin K Thakkar ADUPT1264A number 8 and Shri Rajesh Ranka share 12. Pruthvi H Shah DCAPS6011N common mobile number (9825032074) 13. Suresh N Malvi AKMPM4951C 14. Vaishali N Thakkar AMJPT1242N  As per KYC from Master Capital Services 15. Vinit K Shah BOIPS2506E Limited, entity at serial number 19 and Shri 16. Natubhai S Thakkar AHWPT5944R Rajesh Ranka share common mobile 17. Nilaben R Shah BSLPS2675B number, i.e., ‘9825032074’ and entity at serial 18. Chhayaben U Trivedi AHDPT3058P

19. K Rajagopal AGCPR8130L number 24 and Shri Rajesh Ranka have same 20. Kaliyaben H Shah BFQPS1462A address. 21. Kirti R Shah AKQPS8463F 22. Mahavir N Chauhan AQOPC6330R  As per KYCs of Monarch Projects & 23. Minaben P Shah COYPS9153J Finmarket Pvt. Ltd., entities at serial number 24. S Raja Gnesh ALBPR2586E 26 and 28 share common mobile number 25. Siddhraj Bafana AFXPB6525P with Shri Rajesh Ranka. 26. Vinod Jain AEDPJ4235P 27. Dharmendra R Shah AAEHD6246F  Serial number 17 and 28 received funds from 28. Mahesh C Shah AIOPS3870Q Shri Rajesh Ranka, as described hereinafter.  Entity at serial number 27 transferred 25,00,000 shares to entity at serial number 28 on May 24, 2013.  Entities at serial number 1 to 7, from 9 to 18 and from 20 to 23 have made Shri Rajesh Ranka as their nominee while opening trading account with the broker (Monarch Research & Brokerage Pvt. Ltd.)  As per the KYC of the company submitted by ING Vysya Bank, Shri Rajesh Ranka is its authorized signatory.

6. The above preferential allotment of 3,00,00,000 shares constituted 593.21% of the pre-allotment capital of the company. On November 04, 2012, followed by a stock split from `10/- to `1/-. The pre and post preferential allotment shareholding pattern of the company is given below: Table 4 - Pre and Post preferential Allotment Shareholding pattern Share Dematerialis Promoter's Promoter's More than More Capital -ed Shares holding holding 1% share than 1% (No. of (No. of (%) holders share Shares) Shares) (No. of holders Shares) (%) December 2011 5057200 5014000 1410 0.03 726230 14.36 March 2012 35057200 5014000 1748000 4.99 28253410 80.59 June 2012 35057200 35014000 1748000 4.99 28253410 80.59 December 2012 350572000 350140000 17480000 4.99 282534100 80.59 March 2013 350572000 350140000 17480000 4.99 280869846 80.12 June 2013 350572000 350039000 17465900 4.98 201358560 57.44

7. The financial statement of SMS Tech for financial year 2011-12 shows that the company earned a negligible profit of `1,21,998/ and for the financial year 2012-13, `55,910/-, with negative reserves. The market price of shares of SMS Tech at the time of preferential allotment was around `3.73/- per share. In spite of its unimpressive financials, poor fundamentals and abysmally low market price, the preferential allotment was made at a price considerably higher than the prevailing market price. 8. In its annual reports for the financial years 2011-12 and 2012-13, SMS Tech had disclosed that it had purchased a land worth `30,00,00,000/- i.e. the amount almost equivalent to the proceeds of the preferential allotment, during the year 2011-12. SEBI sought information from the company with regard to the land deal including the evidence of payment for the same, details about the receipt of allotment money and utilization thereof and connection with Rajesh Ranka, etc. However, the letter sent by SEBI to the company was returned undelivered with remarks “address exists but no such person". Thereafter, BSE also conducted a surprise inspection of SMS Tech on September 13, 2013 at its registered office in Coimbatore and corporate office in Ahmedabad and reported that no such company exists at these two addresses.

Thus, it was prima facie observed that while the company was filing returns to BSE, it had no physical presence at the addresses mentioned by it. 9. In its annual report for the financial year 2011-12 and 2012-13 the company had disclosed Standard Chartered Grindlays Bank as its banker. However, Standard Chartered Grindlays Bank informed that SMS Tech had closed account with it way back in 2010. Thus, it was observed that SMS Tech had wrongly disclosed Standard Chartered Bank as its banker for the years 2011-12 and 2012-13. 10. SEBI had also written to the concerned auditors seeking information. However, no information/explanation has been received. 11. Vide an e-mail dated September 11, 2013 (sent to the company at e-mail address 'vjuggy@gmail.com' as available on the BSE website), SEBI again sought the abovementioned details from the company. The company provided partial information wherein it confirmed that Shri Rajesh Ranka is its employee. It also provided copy of its bank statement (Bank Account No.: 673011005933 with ING Vysya Bank) claiming that the proceeds of the preferential allotment were deposited in the said bank account.

12. On examination of the bank statements of SMS Tech, all the allottees, Shri Rajesh Ranka and Ms. Manjulaben Shah alongwith their KYC documents and information furnished by SMS Tech it was observed that: i. Shri Rajesh Ranka, an employee of SMS Tech, is the authorized signatory for its bank account with ING Vysya Bank. He is, thus, connected with the company as its employee. Shri Rajesh Ranka had funded the preferential allotment to all the allottees including the three promoters. ii. Most of the 28 allottees (i.e., allottees other than promoters) had opened their respective accounts with ING Vysya Bank in the 1st week of March 2012, i.e., just before the preferential allotment. These allottees did not have financial capabilities commensurate with the amount purportedly paid towards the preferential allotment. iii. On March 03, 2012, Shri Rajesh Ranka had transferred `1,00,00,000/- from his bank account number ‘139003201012322’ with Nav Nirman Co-operative Bank to the bank account number ‘139003201016137’ jointly held by Shri Maheshchandra Chunilal Shah and his wife Ms. Manjulaben Maheshchandra Chunilal Shah (hereinafter referred to as "Manjulaben") with Nav Nirman Co-operative Bank.

On the same day, Shri

Maheshchandra Chunilal Shah transferred the same amount to the bank account number ‘673011005933’ of the company with ING Vysya Bank against which he was allotted 10,50,000 preferential shares. iv. On March 05, 2012, the company transferred back the same amount of ` 1,00,00,000/-to Manjulaben (bank account number ‘673010029662’ with ING Vysya Bank). Manjulaben thereafter transferred the same or approximately same fund again and again to 19 allottees (i.e. the three promoters and the entities from serial number 1 to 16 mentioned in the Table No. 3 above) from March 05, 2012 to March 13, 2012, i.e., just before the preferential allotment of shares on March 15, 2012. v. On receipt of the funds from Manjulaben as stated above, the respective allottee transferred the same to the company. Each time the allottee made payment for his/her allotment to SMS Tech, the same fund was transferred back by it to Manjulaben. Manjulaben again transferred the fund to another allottee who in turn transferred the said amount to the company. In this pattern, ` 1,00,00,000/- received by Manjulaben from Shri Rajesh Ranka through the company was circulated amongst Manjulaben, these 19 allotees and SMS Tech repeatedly.

An illustration of the above circulation of fund is as under:  On March 09, 2012, Manjulaben transferred `99,60,000/- to an allottee Pruthvi Shah who was allotted 9,96,000 shares;  On the same day, Pruthvi Shah transferred this fund to SMS Tech and SMS Tech transfered this fund back to Manjulaben;  On the same day, Manjulaben transferred this fund to second allottee and the pattern continued with respect to other allottee. vi. In respect of preferential allotment to a set of other 10 allottees, (viz., entities from serial no. 18 to 27 as mentioned in Table no. 3 above), it was noted that on March 12, 2012, the company transferred the requisite funds to Manjulaben who transferred back the same to the company towards allotment of shares to these 10 allottees on the same day. The fund transferred by the company to Manjulaben and then back to the company was circulated again and again in the same manner with regard to the allotment to said 10 allottees. vii. On March 17, 2012, i.e., after the allotment of the equity shares, SMS Tech transferred `1,00,00,000/- to the bank account number ‘139003201016137’ jointly held by Shri Maheshchandra Chunilal Shah and his wife Ms. Manjulaben with Nav Nirman Co-operative Bank.

On March 19, 2012, ` 1,00,00,000/- was transferred from the said joint account to the account of Shri Rajesh Ranka.

viii. A different mode of fund circulation amongst the company and the allottee Ms. Nila R. Shah was noted wherein:  On March 03, 2012, Shri Rajesh Ranka had transferred `99,50,000/- to Ms. Nila R. Shah who was allotted 9,95,000 shares by SMS Tech in its purported preferential allotment;  On the same day Ms. Nila R. Shah transferred this money to the company;  On March 20, 2012, the company transferred back the said amount of `99,50,000/-to Ms. Nila R .Shah;  On March 21, 2012, Ms. Nila R. Shah transferred this money back to Shri Rajesh Ranka. ix. Such fund transfer is pictorially demonstrated below:

x. Date-wise narration of events depicting the above circuitous flow of funds to/from these entities is described in the following Table:

Table 5- Fund transfers Date Event Amount in Rs. March 03, 2012 Rajesh Ranka Transferred to Nila R Shah 99,50,000 March 03, 2012 Nila Shah Transferred to SMS Tech 99,50,000 March 20, 2012 SMS Techsoft (India) Ltd Transferred to Nila R Shah 99,50,000 March 21, 2012 Nila R Shah transferred to Rajesh Ranka 99,50,000 Rajesh Ranka Transferred to joint account of Mahesh C Shah & March 03, 2012 Manjulaben 1,00,00,000 March 03, 2012 Mahesh C Shah transferred to SMS Tech 1,00,00,000 March 05, 2012 SMS Tech transferred to Manjulaben 45,10,000 March 05, 2012 Manjulaben transferred to Akash Jagdish 45,10,000 March 05, 2012 Aksah Jagdish transferred to SMS tech 45,10,000 March 05, 2012 SMS Tech transferred to Manjulaben 1,00,00,000 March 05, 2012 Manjulaben transferred to Vital Jagdish 1,00,00,000 March 07, 2012 Vital Jagdish transferred to SMS Tech 1,00,00,000 March 07, 2012 SMS Tech transferred to Manjulaben 1,00,00,000 March 07, 2012 Manjulaben transferred to SMS tech 1,11,70,000 March 09, 2012 SMS Tech transferred to Manjulaben 99,60,000 March 09, 2012 Manjulaben transferred to Pruthvi Shah 99,60,000 March 09, 2012 Pruthvi Shah transferred to SMS tech 99,60,000 March 09, 2012 SMS Tech transferred to Manjulaben 99,70,000 March 09, 2012 Manjulaben transferred to Mitesh K Thakkar 99,70,000 March 09, 2012 Mitesh K Thakkar transferred to SMS tech 99,70,000 March 09, 2012 SMS Tech transferred to Manjulaben 1,00,00,000 March 09, 2012 Manjulaben transferred to N K Thakkar 1,00,00,000 March 09, 2012 N K Thakkar transferred to SMS Tech 99,45,000 March 09, 2012 SMS Tech transferred to Manjulaben 99,45,000 March 09, 2012 Manjulaben transferred to Vinit K Shah 99,45,000 March 09, 2012 Vinit K Shah transferred to SMS tech 99,45,000 March 09, 2012 SMS Tech transferred to Manjulaben 99,85,000 March 09, 2012 Manjulaben transferred to Keval Kirtikumar Shah 99,75,000 March 09, 2012 Keval Kirtikumar Shah transferred to SMS Tech 99,75,000 March 09, 2012 SMS Tech transferred to Manjulaben 1,00,00,000 March 09, 2012 Manjulaben transferred to Vaishali N Thakkar 99,85,000 March 09, 2012 Vaishali Thakkar transferred to SMS Tech 99,85,000 March 09, 2012 SMS Tech transferred to Manjulaben 99,60,000 March 09, 2012 Manjulaben transferred to Alkaben Shah 99,60,000 March 09, 2012 Alkaben Shah transferred to SMS Tech 99,60,000 March 10, 2012 SMS Tech transferred to Manjulaben 1,00,00,000 March 10, 2012 Manjulaben transferred to Himadri K Shah 99,60,000 March 10, 2012 Himadri K Shah transferred to SMS Tech 99,60,000 March 10, 2012 SMS Tech transferred to Manjulaben 1,00,00,000 March 10, 2012 Manjulaben transferred to Himanshu P Shah 99,50,000 March 10, 2012 Himanshu P Shah transferred to SMS Tech 99,50,000

March 10, 2012 SMS Tech transferred to Manjulaben 1,00,00,000 March 10, 2012 Manjulaben transferred to Mulchand G Jain 99,80,000 March 10, 2012 Mulachan G Jain transferred to SMS Tech 99,80,000

March 10, 2012 SMS Tech transferred to Manjulaben 1,00,00,000 March 10, 2012 Manjulaben transferred to Thakkar Kaneeyalal Narandas 99,70,000 March 10, 2012 Thakkar Kaneeyalal Narandas transferred to SMS Tech 99,70,000 March 10, 2012 SMS Tech transferred to Manjulaben 1,00,00,000 March 10, 2012 Manjulaben transferred to Thakkar N S 99,70,000 March 10, 2012 Thakkar N S transferred to SMS Tech 99,70,000 March 10, 2012 SMS Tech transferred to Manjulaben 1,00,00,000 March 10, 2012 Manjulaben transferred to Kirtikumar R Shah 99,50,000 March 10, 2012 Kirtikumar R Shah transferred to SMS Tech 99,50,000 March 10, 2012 SMS Tech transferred to Manjulaben 1,00,00,000 March 10, 2012 Manjulaben Transferred to Mukesh S Thakkar 99,60,000 March 10, 2012 Mukesh S Thakkar transferred to SMS tech 99,60,000 March 10, 2012 SMS Tech transferred to Manjulaben 99,50,000 March 10, 2012 Manjulaben Shah transferred to Karan Shah 99,50,000 March 10, 2012 Karan Shah transferred to SMS Tech 99,50,000 March 10, 2012 SMS Tech transferred to Manjulaben 1,00,00,000 March 10, 2012 Manjulaben transferred to Suresh N Malvi 99,70,000 March 10, 2012 Suresh Malvi transferred to SMS Tech 99,70,000 March 10, 2012 SMS Tech transferred to Manjulaben 1,00,00,000 March 10, 2012 Manjulaben transferred to Meenaben N Thakkar 99,40,000 March 10, 2012 Meenaben N Thakkar transferred to SMS Tech 99,40,000 March 12, 2012 SMS Tech transferred to Manjulaben 1,00,00,000 March 12, 2012 Manjulaben transferred to SMS Tech 99,80,000 March 12, 2012 SMS Tech transferred to Manjulaben 1,00,00,000 March 12, 2012 Manjulaben transferred to SMS Tech 99,70,000 March 12, 2012 SMS Tech transferred to Manjulaben 1,00,00,000 March 12, 2012 Manjulaben transferred to SMS Tech 99,70,000 March 12, 2012 SMS Tech transferred to Manjulaben 1,00,00,000 March 12, 2012 Manjulaben transferred to SMS Tech 99,50,000 March 12, 2012 SMS Tech transferred to Manjulaben 1,00,00,000 March 12, 2012 Manjulaben transferred to SMS Tech 99,75,000 March 12, 2012 SMS Tech transferred to Manjulaben 1,00,00,000 March 12, 2012 Manjulaben transferred to SMS Tech 1,04,50,000 March 12, 2012 SMS Tech transferred to Manjulaben 1,30,00,000 March 12, 2012 Manjulaben transferred to SMS Tech 1,25,34,100 March 12, 2012 SMS Tech transferred to Manjulaben 1,00,00,000 March 12, 2012 Manjulaben transferred to SMS Tech 99,60,000 March 12, 2012 SMS Tech transferred to Manjulaben 1,00,00,000 March 12, 2012 Manjulaben transferred to SMS Tech 99,50,000 March 12, 2012 SMS Tech transferred to Manjulaben 30,00,000 March 12, 2012 Manjulaben transferred to Anitha K Jagdish 30,00,000 March 12, 2012 Anitha K Jagdish transferred to SMS Tech 29,70,000 March 17, 2012 SMS Tech transferred to Mahesh C Shah 1,00,00,000 March 19, 2012 Mahesh C. Shah transferred to Rajesh Ranka 1,00,00,000

March 20, 2012 Mahavirsingh Chauhan receives from Rajesh Ranka 3,00,00,000

13. It was further observed that though Shri Maheshchandra Chunilal Shah had transferred only `1,00,00,000/ to SMS Tech in the above manner, he was allotted 10,50,000 shares of the value of `1,05,00,000/-. 14. From the above sequence of events, it has been observed that Shri Rajesh Ranka who has been debarred from buying, selling or dealing in securities by SEBI, circulated approximately `1,00,00,000/- back and forth between the company, 27 allottees connected to him and 3 promoters of the company, who were also acting hand-in-glove with Shri Rajesh Ranka, through Manjulaben in the purported preferential allotment by the company. He also circulated `99,50,000/- through Ms. Nila Shah who is also connected with him to the company and then back to him. Through this modus operandi by circulating `1,99,50,000/-total 3,00,00,000 equity shares worth `30,00,00,000/- were allotted by SMS Tech to 31 allottees including its three promoters. Further, the amounts funded by Sri Rajesh Ranka for the purpose of the said purported preferential allotment had been returned to him. 15. From the balance sheet of the company for the financial years 2011-12 and 2012-13, it is inferred that the company had shown to have acquired a land for the value of `30,00,00,000/- during the financial year 2011-12.

Vide its e-mail dated September 25, 2013, the company has claimed that it had utilized the proceeds of the purported preferential allotment for purchasing land near Ahmadabad by executing necessary agreement during the financial year 2011-12 and it had later cancelled the said land deal on account of deficiency in the title of the land. In support of its claim the company has furnished certain pages of a copy of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). From the said MoU it has been noted that the said MoU has been entered into between the company and one Sri Prakashkumar Chimanlal Thakkar (power of attorney holder on behalf of one Sri Ganesh Kalubhai, owner of a land that is the subject matter of the said MoU) on March 25, 2012. The agreed consideration, for the purported purchase of an agricultural land, as per the said MoU, is `30,00,00,000/-. This MoU does not establish that the company had actually paid this amount as disclosed in its balance sheet for the financial years 2011-12 and 2012-13 to the owner of the agricultural land stated in the MoU. From the bank account (A/C number 673011005933 with ING Vysya Bank) of the company it has been noted that during the relevant period neither such amount was transferred to the owner of the land from the bank account of the company nor was refunded back by him to the company after termination of claimed land purchase deal.

Rather from period March 05, 2012 to March 12, 2012 around `33,00,00,000/- were transferred by the company to Manjulaben who was not party to the said MoU. Thus, it appears that the company had made a false disclosure in its balance sheet for the financial year 2011-12 and 2012-13 and had deliberately concealed and suppressed the fact of financial transaction between it and Manjulaben. It is only after receipt of SEBI's e-mail dated September 11, 2013 the company disclosed to BSE on September 13, 2013 that it has terminated the land deal due to title deficiency and now it plans to expand operational activity and new avenues such as database purchase for its business development. This appears to be an afterthought in an attempt by SMS Tech to cover up for its misdeeds. 16. It is noted from the annual report of the company for the respective financial years that for the financial year 2011-12, Shri V. Jagdish, the promoter and managing director of SMS Tech was also the Chairman of the Audit Committee and for the financial year 2012-13, Shri Akash Jagdish Kadandale, another promoter and director of SMS Tech, was the Chairman of the Audit Committee in violation of clause 49 of the Equity Listing Agreement which stipulates that the Chairman of the Audit Committee shall be an independent director.

17. Apart from the fact that SMS Tech does not physically exist at the registered/corporate addresses as already explained above, it is observed that though the company claims to have a web-site at www.aklsoft.com, the same is non-functional. As such there is nothing on this web site except a spam page. This is non-compliance with the requirements of the provisions of clause 54 of the Equity Listing Agreement which requires that the company should maintain a functional web site containing basis information about the company e.g. details of its business, financial information, shareholding pattern, etc. 18. It is noted that the lock-in period with regard to the equity shares allotted to the 28 allottees of the Ranka Group (i.e., allottees other than the promoters) under the purported preferential allotment expired on March 12, 2013. Thereafter, most of these entities started trading heavily in the scrip of the company. As a result, the daily average volume of the scrip increased from 38,263 shares between January 01, 2013 and March 12, 2013 to 28,52,867 shares between March 13, 2013 and October 18, 2013. 19. The trading pattern of the entities of Ranka Group in the scrip was noted as following:- A. During the period: (March 13, 2013 to August 20, 2013):- a) The Ranka Group bought a gross quantity of 12,11,21,440 shares and sold a gross quantity of 20,72,46,229 shares, which constitute 44.45% and 76.05% of the total buy and sale volume, respectively.

Thus, the entities of Ranka Group had altogether sold a net quantity of 8,61,24,789 shares till August 20, 2013. b) The entities of Ranka Group had traded in 8,26,58,793 shares amongst themselves, which constitutes 68.24% of their gross bought quantity, 39.88% of the Ranka Group's gross sell quantity and 30.33% of the market volume. c) The entities of Ranka Group has also tried to sustain the price during this period by contributing `32.08/- in positive LTP contribution as a buyer, which constitutes 71.15% of total positive LTP contribution in the scrip. d) During this period the price of the scrip moved from ` 0.60/- to `0.41/ per share (i.e. the price of the scrip fell by 31.66%).

B. During the period (August 21, 2013 to October 18, 2013):- a) The entities of Ranka Group had started heavily offloading their holding in the scrip of the company. They bought a gross quantity of 2,59,31,404 shares and sold a gross quantity of 12,08,06,688 shares, which constitute 17% and 79.19% of market volume, respectively. Thus, those entities had altogether sold a net quantity of 9,48,75,284 shares from August 21, 2013 to October 18, 2013; b) The entities of Ranka Group traded in 2,24,93,909 shares amongst themselves, which constitutes 86.74% of their gross bought quantity, 18.62% of the their gross sell quantity and 14.74% of the market volume; c) During this period, the price of the scrip sharply fell from `0.41/- to `0.09/- (i.e., the price of the scrip fell by 78.04%. 20. From the above, it is noted that the entities of Ranka Group had tried to attract and entice other investors in the scrip of the company by creating artificial volume in the scrip by trading amongst themselves and also by buying at a price higher than the previously traded price and thereby constantly contributing to positive LTP in the scrip.

It has also been observed that once SEBI started inquiring into the matter, the Ranka Group has started dumping and exiting their position in the scrip. It is noted that till October 18, 2013 they have sold a net quantity of 18,10,00,073 shares, thereby making the profit of `6,00,11,512/-. It is, further, noted that as on October 18, 2013 Ranka Group were holding 11,90,59,649 shares out of total allotment of 30,00,00,000 shares under preferential allotment. This profit is ill-gotten as the shares which were net sold were obtained through a fraudulent process as described above. 21. I have considered the observations of the preliminary inquiry and note that the entities listed in Table 3 are connected with each other and Shri Rajesh Ranka on account of factors described in the said Table. The 3 promoters who were allotted equity shares by SMS Tech in its above said preferential allotment are- Shri V. Jagdish, ( promoter/managing director) his wife, Mrs. Anitha Jagdish (promoter) and his son Shri Akash Jagdish Kadandale (promoter/ director) during the relevant time. Thus, these 3 promoters are related /connected with each other.

Shri Rajesh Ranka being an employee of SMS Tech and also the authorized signatory for its bank account with ING Vysya Bank. and having funded the preferential allotment to these three promoters is also connected with the company and its promoters/directors. I, therefore, prima facie find that the connection amongst Shri Rajesh Ranka, the company, its three promoters and other 28 allottees can be established on this basis along with the factors discussed in Table 3.

22. I further note that Shri Rajesh Ranka, circulated approximately `1,00,00,000/- back and forth between the company, 27 allottees connected with him and 3 promoters of the company through Manjulaben. He had also circulated `99,50,000/- through Ms. Nila Shah another entity connected with him to the company for its purported preferential allotment. These amounts funded by Sri Rajesh Ranka for the purpose of the purported preferential allotment were ultimately returned to him by the company. These funds were circulated when, by virtue of the order dated July 28, 2010, Shri Rajesh Ranka was restrained from buying, selling or dealing in securities market in any manner whatsoever for a period of 2 years. I prima facie find that on account of the repeated circulation of same money between different allottees, the receipt of allotment money for 3,00,00,000 equity shares had been shown merely as book entry. In fact, even the amount of 1,99,50,000 that was circulated to show a book entry of receipt of allotment monies was returned by the company to Shri Rajesh Ranka on March 17/21 2012 i.e. shortly after preferential allotment.

I, therefore, prima facie find that the consideration for the shares allotted to the respective allottees in the preferential allotment of the company has not been paid by the allottees which is in contravention of the provisions of regulation 77(1) of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Issue of Capital and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2009 (hereinafter referred to as "the ICDR Regulations") which provides as under- "Payment of consideration. 77(1). Full consideration of specified securities other than warrants issued under this Chapter shall be paid by the allottees at the time of allotment of such specified securities:" 23. In the facts and circumstances brought out during the inquiry, I, prima facie, find that the SMS Tech issued 3,00,00,000 new equity shares for value of `30,00,00,000/- in the names of the above mentioned 31 allottees without receipt of any consideration for the shares allotted in the said purported preferential allotment. Thus, the connected entities, i.e. Shri Rajesh Ranka and 31 allottees including three promoters of the company, acting in concert, illegally acquired 80.59% shares in the company without paying any consideration for the allotted shares.

I further note that while the amount of `1,00,00,000/- from Shri Rajesh Ranka was routed through the joint account of Shri Maheshchandra Chunilal Shah and his wife Ms. Manjulaben had been repeatedly routed to the company through the respective bank accounts of 21 allottees, in case of 10 other allottees the said amount has not even come from their account rather it came from the account of Manjulaben. Further, SMS Tech had allotted 10,50,000 equity shares to Shri Maheshchandra Chunilal Shah against `1,00,00,000/-received from Shri Rajesh Ranka in his joint account with his wife which was transferred to SMS Tech purportedly for the preferential allotment of 10,00,000 shares. These facts and circumstances indicate that Shri Rajesh Ranka acting hand-in-glove and in a concert with SMS Tech, its 3 promoters and 28 other allottess orchestrated a fraudulent, manipulative and deceptive device, plan or artifice of creating shares without payment of consideration to the company. I, therefore, prima facie find that the preferential allotment of SMS Tech, apart from being in contravention of the provisions of the regulation 77(1) of, is irregular, illegal and fraudulent.

24. I note that in the notice and Explanatory Statement thereto under section 173 of the Companies Act, 1956 the SMS Tech had disclosed to its shareholders that the object of its preferential allotment was to generate resources for diversification, expansion and implementation of future growth plans and for working capital and other general corporate purpose. In its balance sheet for the financial years 2011-12 and 2012-13 the company has sought to show that it had acquired a land for the value of `30,00,00,000/ during the financial year 2011-12. In my view, general corporate purposes provide the framework for ongoing decisions and activities of the business corporate purposes. They cannot be meant for any or every purposes that are not within scope of business or operations of a company and that are neither in the interest of the company nor its shareholders. I, therefore, find that any land deal much less a non-existent land deal as claimed by the company in this case, cannot be the purpose for which the proceeds of preferential allotment as disclosed to the shareholders could be utilised.

From the facts found during inquiry, I note that company had never utilised any such money for the purchase of any land as claimed by it and had made false disclosures in its balance sheets for the financial years 2011-12 and 2012-13 suggesting utilisation of proceeds of preferential allotment for purchase of land and had deliberately suppressed the material fact in its annual report for the financial year 2011-12 with regard to the financial transactions wherein the money had been circulated by it through Manjulaben. 25. The acts, omissions, misrepresentations, active concealments, suggestion of false facts, false statements, reckless representation, deceptive behaviour, etc. of SMS Tech and its management in respect of the preferential allotment and subsequent statement to utilise the proceeds for business development as an afterthought, further enforce the prima facie finding that the preferential allotment in this case was not a genuine preferential allotment rather it was irregular, illegal and fraudulent. 26. It is noted that during the financial year 2011-12 i.e. the period when preferential allotment was decided by the Board of Directors of SMS Tech and the shares were issued by it, Shri V. Jagdish, the promoter and managing director of SMS Tech was also Chairman of the Audit Committee.

Similarly, for the year 2012-13 when the false disclosures were made in the balance sheet for the financial year 2012-13, Shri Akash Jagdish Kadandale, promoter as well as director of SMS Tech, was the Chairman of the Audit Committee. I, prima facie, find that this fact, apart from being in contravention of clause 49 of the Equity Listing Agreement prima facie indicates the complicity of the management of the company in the over-all illegal, fraudulent, manipulative and deceptive device, plan or artifice and suggests that the appointments in contravention of clause 49 of the Equity Listing Agreement were part of such device. 27. It is also observed that SMS Tech does not have a functional web-site as required under clause 54 of the Equity Listing Agreement. It web site does not contain anything except a spam page. Thus, it has violated clause 54 of the Equity Listing Agreement and provisions of section 21 of the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956 (SCRA). I also note that the company does not physically exist at its address and the letters addressed to it by SEBI have returned undelivered with the remark “address exists but no such person".

Upon considering all facts and circumstances in totality, I prima facie find that such acts and omissions were with deliberate design of the company and its management as part of its manipulative and deceptive device, plan or artifice.

28. It is noted that immediately after the expiry of the lock-in period in respect of shares allotted to the 28 entities of Ranka Group on March 12, 2013, they started trading in those shares in a fraudulent manner as observed during inquiry. It is also noted that the said entities continue to trade in those shares.

29. The aforesaid facts prima facie indicate that the acts, omissions and concealment of the company and its promoters /directors/ were 'fraudulent' as defined in regulation 2(1)(c) of the PFUTP Regulations which reads as under:- Definition of ‘fraud” – Regulation 2(1)(c). (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 while dealing in securities in order to induce another person or his agent to deal in securities, whether or not there is any wrongful gain or avoidance of any loss, and shall also include— (1) a knowing misrepresentation of the truth or concealment of material fact in order that another person may act to his detriment; (2) a suggestion as to a fact which is not true by one who does not believe it to be true; (3) an active concealment of a fact by a person having knowledge or belief of the fact; (4) a promise made without any intention of performing it; (5) a representation made in a reckless and careless manner whether it be true or false; (6) any such act or omission as any other law specifically declares to be fraudulent; (7) deceptive behaviour by a person depriving another of informed consent or full participation; (8) a false statement made without reasonable ground for believing it to be true; (9) the act of an issuer of securities giving out misinformation that affects the market price of the security, resulting in investors being effectively misled even though they did not rely on the statement itself or anything derived from it other than the market price.

And “fraudulent” shall be construed accordingly; …………………………………………………………………………………..” 30. The sequence of events and pattern of transactions in this case prima facie indicate that the company, its promoters/directors alongwith the Ranka Group, by falsely portraying the transactions as a genuine preferential allotment and by creating artificial volume the company, adopted fraudulent device and artifice to defraud the genuine shareholders of the company. Such conduct by the company, its promoters/directors and the Ranka Group is prima facie in violation of section 12A of the SEBI Act read with regulations 3(a), (b), (c), (d), 4(1), 4(2)(a) (f) and (g) of the PFUTP Regulations which is reproduced hereunder: Section 12A of the SEBI Act- "Prohibition of manipulative and deceptive devices, insider trading and substantial acquisition of securities or control. 12A. No person shall directly or indirectly— (a) use or employ, in connection with the issue, purchase or sale of any securities listed or proposed to be listed on a recognised stock exchange, any manipulative or deceptive device or contrivance in contravention of the provisions of this Act or the rules or the regulations made thereunder; (b) employ any device, scheme or artifice to defraud in connection with issue or dealing in securities which are listed or proposed to be listed on a recognised stock exchange; (c) engage in any act, practice, course of business which operates or would operate as fraud or deceit upon any person, in connection with the issue, dealing in securities which are listed or proposed to be listed on a recognised stock exchange, in contravention of the provisions of this Act or the rules or the regulations made thereunder; (f) acquire control of any company or securities more than the percentage of equity share capital of a company whose securities are listed or proposed to be listed on a recognised stock exchange in contravention of the regulations made under this Act."

Regulations 3 and 4 of the PFUTP Regulations- 3. Prohibition of certain dealings in securities "No person shall directly or indirectly— (a) buy, sell or otherwise deal in securities in a fraudulent manner; (b) use or employ, in connection with issue, purchase or sale of any security listed or proposed to be listed in a recognized stock exchange, any manipulative or deceptive device or contrivance in contravention of the provisions of the Act or the rules or the regulations made there under; (c) employ any device, scheme or artifice to defraud in connection with dealing in or issue of securities which are listed or proposed to be listed on a recognized stock exchange; (d) engage in any act, practice, course of business which operates or would operate as fraud or deceit upon any person in connection with any dealing in or issue of securities which are listed or proposed to be listed on a recognized stock exchange in contravention of the provisions of the Act or the rules and the regulations made there under.

4. Prohibition of manipulative, fraudulent and unfair trade practices (1) Without prejudice to the provisions of regulation 3, 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; (f) publishing or causing to publish or reporting or causing to report by a person dealing in securities any information which is not true or which he does not believe to be true prior to or in the course of dealing in securities; (g) entering into a transaction in securities without intention of performing it or without intention of change of ownership of such security; .............................................................."

31. In my view, the acts and omissions of the company, its promoters/directors and the Ranka Group, as brought out in the aforesaid paras, are prima facie, in violation of the following provisions of securities laws: (a). Section 12A (b) and(c) of the SEBI Act and regulations 3(a), (b), (c) and (d), 4(1) and (2)(a), (f) and (g) of the PFUTP Regulations; (b). Regulation 77(1) of the ICDR Regulations; and (c). Clauses 49, 54 of the Listing Agreement read with section 21 of Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956. 32. I note that some of the allottees have already off-loaded their ill-gotten shares in the market and have tried to create artificial volume by firstly trading in the equity shares allotted pursuant to the purported preferential allotment amongst themselves and thereafter offloading the said shares to lay investors. The Ranka Group has, in this manner, realized a profit of `6,00,11,512/- till October 18, 2013. 33. Given the vital function of protecting investors and safeguarding the integrity of the securities market vested in SEBI and the commensurate powers given to it under the securities laws, it is necessary for SEBI to exercise these powers firmly and effectively to insulate the market and its investors from the fraudulent actions of the participants in the securities market.

One of the basic premise that underlies the integrity of securities market is that the participants conform to standards of transparency, good governance and ethical behaviour prescribed in securities laws and do not resort to fraudulent activities. In this case, the conduct of the company, the promoters / directors and the Ranka Group, as brought out above has been violative of this basic premise. In this case, the shares allotted illegally and fraudulently without receipt of consideration /allotment money are tainted and do not have any value. In order to ensure that these illegally acquired and tainted shares are not traded in the market, thereby contaminating the market, I deem it necessary to intervene in this matter to safeguard the interest of other shareholders of the company and protect the integrity of the securities market. I am convinced that this is also a case where, pending investigation, effective and expeditious action is required to be taken to prevent any further harm to investors and to thwart any further design, which are prima facie fraudulent, manipulative and unfair, of the company and its promoters/ directors.

This is also a fit case where SEBI needs to send a stern message to prevent companies and their promoters/ directors from indulging in such acts of omissions and commissions which hurt the interests of investors and shake their confidence in the securities market. 34. In the light of the aforesaid preliminary findings in this matter as mentioned above, I am of the view that this is a fit case where pending detailed investigation effective action is required to be taken by way of an ad interim ex-parte order. 35. Therefore, in order to protect the interest of the investors and the integrity of the securities market, I, in exercise of the powers conferred upon me in terms of section 19 read with section 11(1), section 11 (4) (b) and section 11B of the SEBI Act, 1992 and section 12A of the SCRA, pending investigation and passing of final order, hereby issue following directions, by way of this ad-interim ex-parte order: a) The following entities are restrained from accessing the securities market and further prohibited from buying, selling or dealing in the securities markets, either directly or indirectly, in any manner whatsoever, till further directions:

S. No. Name PAN 1. Akash Jagadish Vital ATYPA8648K 2. Alakaben Kirtibhai Shah CPAPS2335R 3. Anita Srinivasabhatt Kadanthalai ABUPA2184Q 4. Bafna S R AFXPB6525P 5. Chhaya Umeshchandra Trivedi AHDPT3058P 6. Dashrathkumar Keshaji Khatri ACFPK3128C 7. Devaraj Siddiah Pera Naidu ACGPD9109G 8. Dharmendra Rikhavchand Shah AAEHD6246F 9. Dilipbhai Jaswantlal Gajjar ADVPG4094Q 10. Himadri Kamleshbhai Shah AZYPS5654H 11. Himanshu Prafulchandra Shah ANEPS9445A 12. Jagadish Vital ACJPJ5747L 13. K Rajagopal AGCPR8130L 14. Kaliyaben Himansu Shah BFQPS1462A 15. Kanubhai Narandas Thakkar ADZPT3418R 16. Karan Kirtibhai Shah BQYPS0082D 17. Keval Kirtikumar Shah DFNPS6796L 18. Kirtikumar Rasiklal Shah AKQPS8463F 19. Mahavirsingh N Chauhan AQOPC6330R 20. Maheshchandra Chunilal Shah AIOPS3870Q 21. Manjulaben Maheshchandra Chunilal Shah AFSPS6606M 22. Meenaben Natubhai Thakkar AHWPT5940M 23. Minaben Prafulbhai Shah COYPS9153J 24. Mitesh Kanaiyalal Thakkar AHQPT0178H 25. Mukeshbhai Shantilal Thakkar AJBPT8789M

26. Mulchand Ganeshmal Jain ABBPJ6373M 27. Natubhai Shantilal Thakkar AHWPT5944R 28. Navinchandra Kanubhai Thakkar ADUPT1264A 29. Nila Rajeshkumar Shah BSLPS2675B 30. Pruthvi Himanshu Shah DCAPS6011N 31. Rajesh Ranka ACUPR5573R 32. S Rajaganesh ALBPR2586E 33. SMS Techsoft (India) Limited AAECA1954G 34. Suresh Nenmalji Malvi AKMPM4951C 35. Vaishali Natvarlal Thakkar AMJPT1242N 36. Vinit Kamleshkumar Shah BOIPS2506E 37. Vinod Jain AEDPJ4235P b) the aforementioned entities are hereby ordered to keep in an escrow account, jointly and severally within 30 days of this order, an amount of `6,00,11,512/- that they have earned as ill-gotten profit during the period March 13, 2013 to October 18, 2013 and any other amount that they have realised as sale proceeds of the shares allotted in the preferential allotment by the company; and c) SMS Techsoft (India) Limited (PAN: AAECA1954G) is restrained from raising additional capital through securities market, either directly or indirectly, in any manner whatsoever, till further directions. 36. The persons/entities against whom this order is passed may file their replies, if any, to SEBI within 21 days from the date of receipt of this order, if they so desire, avail an opportunity of personal hearing on a date, place and time fixed in that regard by Securities and Exchange Board of India. 37. This order is without prejudice to the right of SEBI to take any other action that may be initiated against the aforementioned entities, mentioned in para 35 above, in accordance with law. 38. This order shall come into force with immediate effect.

DATE: NOVEMBER 5th, 2013 RAJEEV KUMAR AGARWAL PLACE: MUMBAI WHOLE TIME MEMBER SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE BOARD OF INDIA