The regulator's probe followed an advertisement issued by Venkatesan Chandran, who used the trade name, Sri Ganesh Stocks and Shares, and invited the general public to make investments and get assured monthly returns.
According to Sebi, Ganesh Stocks alongwith Chandran and his wife Vijaya Bharathi have solicited and induced their clients and other investors to deal in securities and have also collected funds and deposits from them through misrepresentation and allurement of high returns.
Chandran claimed himself to be a sub-broker and affiliated to Saravana Stocks. He has collected an amount of around Rs 4.36 crore from his clients and claimed to have repaid Rs 3.71 crore to some of its investors.
Accordingly, Sebi restrained Ganesh Stocks, Chandran and Bharathi from "accessing the securities market and further prohibited from buying, selling or otherwise dealing in securities, directly or indirectly, or being associated with the securities market in any manner."
Sebi has asked them to immediately withdraw and remove all material information in relation to the portfolio management activities or any unregistered activity in the securities market.
