SEBI said to probe Adani- Gulf Ties

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has launched an investigation into the relationship between the Adani Group, a prominent Indian conglomerate, and the Gulf Asia Trade & Investment fund based in the British Virgin Islands.

The probe aims to determine whether there have been violations of share ownership regulations, following allegations of accountancy fraud and stock manipulation made against the Adani Group.

Background

  • In January, a damning report by short-seller Hindenburg Research accused the Adani Group of governance risks, asserting that offshore shell firms clandestinely owned stakes in Adani’s publicly-listed companies.
  • This accusation led to SEBI’s scrutiny of the conglomerate’s affairs.

Details of the Investigation

Ownership and Connections

  • The Gulf Asia fund, reportedly owned by Dubai-based businessman Nasser Ali Shaban Ali, allegedly invested in Adani’s listed companies after SEBI’s directive in June 2013, which required companies to increase public shareholding to at least 2 percent of their total floats.

Financial Transactions

  • Gulf Asia’s investments in Adani Enterprises and Adani Power totaled $51.4 million by April 2014.
  • Over time, this investment reportedly surged to $202 million in four Adani entities, including Adani Transmission and Adani Ports.
  • Notably, Adani Enterprises did not disclose Gulf Asia as a related party in its annual reports, raising concerns about transparency.

Acting “In Concert”

  • SEBI officials are closely examining whether the Adani Group and the Gulf Asia fund acted “in concert,” potentially violating regulations.
  • This scrutiny aims to ascertain the nature of their relationship and the implications for shareholders.

Adani Group’s Response

  • The Adani Group vehemently denied all allegations of opaque funding and accountancy fraud.
  • In a statement issued earlier, the company dismissed the accusations as a calculated attack on India by vested interests and sections of the foreign media.

Find More Business News Here

 

 

Piyush Shukla

Recent Posts

The Forgotten Story of Tamils in Moreh: How Manipur Border Town Became Home to Tamil Diaspora

A brief yet poignant scene in the hit series Family Man 3 has opened a…

2 hours ago

Which Country is Known as the Land of Festivals?

India is often called the Land of Festivals because it celebrates countless festivals throughout the…

3 hours ago

Simone Tata: The Visionary Behind Lakmé and Westside Passes Away at 95

Simone Tata, a transformative figure in India’s business landscape and the step-mother of Ratan Tata,…

5 hours ago

When was IndiGo Airlines Founded and Who Founded It?

IndiGo Airlines is one of India’s most popular and trusted airlines. It is known for…

5 hours ago

Which Country is Known as Deutschland?

Many countries have different names in different languages. One such country is Germany, which is…

6 hours ago

Which River is Known as the Lifeline of Northeast India?

Northeast India is a region full of beautiful landscapes, green forests and rich culture. A…

6 hours ago