Ex-Religare CMD Sunil Godhwani to raise $500 mn for stressed assets

Sunil Godhwani is in talks with leading players Abraaj Capital, Axa Special Situation Fund, Oaktree, Silverpoint, Centerbridge, HarbourVest

Former Religare Enterprises chairman and managing director Sunil Godhwani is looking to raise $500 million (Rs 3,181 crore) for his 'stressed assets revival fund' focussed on the Indian markets.

Godhwani is in talks with leading players Abraaj Capital, Axa Special Situation Fund, Oaktree, Silverpoint, Centerbridge, HarbourVest, among others, people close to the development said.

He is eyeing $500 million for his 'stressed assets revival fund' to invest in troubled assets sold by banks, they added.

When contacted, Godhwani declined to comment.

According to finance ministry data, as many as 1,463 entities account for bad loans of Rs 1 billion or more in 21 public sector banks (PSBs).

Gross non-performing assets of state-owned banks stood at Rs 7.34 trillion by the end of second quarter this fiscal.

Stressed assets and the NPA issue has opened up a huge opportunity in the country for special situation funds that mainly invest in distressed assets.

Godhwani's fund will focus on assets of — $25 to 100 million — in size and would be taking pure equity stake post settlement with banks and creditors.

After turnaround, these assets will be publicly listed in 3 to 4 years.

The fund would be a focused seven-year fund.

Earlier, these special purpose funds have failed primarily due to the lack of understanding of Indian landscape and nexus between promoters and bankers.

In July 2016, Sunil Godhwani stepped down as chairman and managing director of Religare Enterprises and was designated as whole-time director and CEO.

On September 6, 2017, Godhwani stepped down as whole-time director as well.