SC allows Sebi to sell Sahara properties worth Rs 40,000 cr

Sebi asked to evaluate 86 properties, cannot be sold at a price less than 90 per cent of the prevailing circle rates

The Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) to go ahead with the sale of Sahara properties whose unencumbered title deeds are in its possession. The step is being taken to recover investors' money that Sahara groups' two companies had collected from public through Optionally Fully Convertible Debentures.

The apex court bench headed by Chief Justice T S Thakur said that the market regulator would appoint an agency to decide the mechanism for the sale of Sahara properties. The court said that the market regulator should evaluate 86 properties of Sahara.

The court said that properties would not be sold at a price that is less than 90% of the prevailing circle rates.

Sebi will appoint an agency to work out the mechanism for the sale of properties, which are estimated to be worth Rs 40,000 crore.

The entire process will be carried out under the supervision of former Supreme Court judge Justice B N Agarwala and Sahara will be kept informed about the steps being taken for the sale of its properties.