Sebi bans Vasundhara Realcon from mobilising money from public

Clamping down on illegal money pooling activities, capital markets regulator Sebi has barred Vasundhara Realcon and its directors from raising money from investors through issuance of securities.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India had received a complaint alleging that Vasundhara Realcon was collecting money through various schemes and investment plans.

A Sebi probe found that Vasundhara had garnered over Rs 2.23 crore by issuing Non-Convertible Redeemable Debentures (NCDs) to 468 people during 2010-11 to 2013-14. It further said that the actual number of allottees and the amount mobilised could be much higher.

The company, through such activities, had allegedly violated various norms, Sebi said.

The regulator observed that allotment of NCDs by the firm was a public issue, which under the rules require a compulsory listing on a recognised stock exchange. It was also required to file a prospectus, among others, which it failed to do.

Accordingly, Sebi said "Vasundhara Realcon shall cease to mobilise any fresh funds from investors through the offer of NCDs 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."

Further, the firm and its directors have been barred from issuing any offer document or advertisement for soliciting money from the public for the issue of securities.

They have been restrained from accessing the securities markets, Sebi said in an order dated November 10.

The capital market watchdog also asked the entities not to dispose any of the properties or assets acquired by the company without prior permission from the regulator as well as not to divert the funds raised from the public.

Also, Sebi has prohibited debenture trustee Vasundhara Realcon Debenture Trust (represented by Chinmoy Ghatak and Priyabrata Roy) from continuing with its assignment in respect of NCDs issue of the company. It also barred it from taking up any new assignment in a similar capacity till further directions.

This order "shall come into force with immediate effect and shall continue to be in force till further directions", Sebi added.