CHANAKYA NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY, PATNA

SEMESTER PROJECT WORK

SUBJECT Corporate Law IITEACHER- Mrs. Nandita JhaTOPIC Powers and Functions of Securities Exchange Board of India SUBMITTED BY:

Manini JaiswalROLL 429ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering Can the soul be strengthened, Ambition inspired, and success achieved.The success of any project depends largely on the encouragement and guidelines of many others. I take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the people who have been instrumental in the successful completion of this project.

I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Vice Chancellor, Dr. A. Laxminath , teacher Mrs. Nandita Jha, our Professor, for nurturing a congenial yet competitive environment in the University, which motivates all the students to pursue higher goals.I would like to extend my thanks to all the teaching and non-teaching staff members of our University, and to all my friends who helped me with the ever daunting task of gathering information for the completion of the project.

Finally, how can I forget the almighty the supreme power the GOD and my loving parents without which this work task was only a distant dream.Contents1. Introduction 42. .SEBI Administration.7

3. SEBIs - Power & Functions.94. Related Cases..155. Conclusion..19Bibliography

1.IntroductionA high level committee on the financial system with Shri. M. Narasimham as the Chairman was set up in 1991, which made far reaching recommendations for banking sector and non- banking financial sector to improve the flexibility and operational efficiency of the markets and the institutions. In the area of capital reforms, the Narasimham Committee emphasized the need for strengthening the powers of Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), vesting of powers of Controller of Capital issues in the SEBI and freeing of operations in the capital market with the SEBI as the Supervisory and Regulatory authority. Keeping this in mind, SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India (which was earlier established as an administrative body in April 1988, was given a statutory status under section 3 of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992. Controller of Capital Issues (CCI) was abolished with a view to have SEBI as a single agency to look after the Capital Market and also for all the intermediaries such as Merchant Bankers, Registrars, Brokers, Underwriters etc.Objectives of SEBI The objectives of the SEBI are as follows:

a. Protection of the interests of investors in securities.

b. Promoting orderly and healthily growth of the securities market.

c. Regulation of the securities market and other incidental matters.

d. Promoting the fair dealings by the issuer of securities and ensuring a market place where they can raise funds at a relatively low cost.

e. Regulating and developing a code of conduct and fair practices by intermediaries like brokers, merchant bankers etc., with a view to making them more competitive and professional.

f. Monitoring the activities of stock exchanges, mutual funds and merchant bankers etc.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992 extends to the whole of India. It came into force with effect from 30th January 1992.Establishment of SEBI Section 3 of SEBI Act empowers the Central Government to appoint, by notification, for the purpose of this Act, aboard by the name of the Securities and Exchange Board of India. Accordingly, SEBI was given a statutory status under section 3 of the SEBI Act as on 30th January, 1992.Accordingly to section3 (2) of the Act, the Securities and Exchange Board of India shall be a body corporate having perpetual succession and a common seal. It shall have the power to acquire hold and dispose of the property, both movable and immovable. It will have the power to enter into a contract and may sue or be sued in its name. The head office of the SEBI is situated at Mittal Court, B-Wing, 224 Nariman Point, and Mumbai 400021. The Board may establish offices at other places in India.

Investors may however note that as a regulatory body SEBI cannot guarantee or undertake the repayment of money to the investors. It is SEBI's endeavour to educate the investors of the general risk perception of such schemes.

Investors can also approach District Consumer Redressal forums in case entities fail to honour their commitments or for any deficiency in service.

For bouncing of cheques, investors can move the Courts under section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act. The right to file criminal complaint exclusively vests with the beneficiary of the cheque.

Investors should note that wherever they do not have a right to the land or to the produce arising out of the land such investment may be a deposit and where a company fails to repay the deposits, it attracts the provisions of section 58A of the Indian Companies Act, 1956. It is clarified that SEBI has no jurisdiction over such deposits.2.SEBI AdministrationThe Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992 is having retrospective effect and is deemed to have come into force on January 30, 1992. Relatively a brief act containing 35 sections, the SEBI Act governs all the Stock Exchanges and the Securities Transactions in India.

A Board by the name of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) was constituted under the SEBI Act to administer its provisions. It consists of one Chairman and five members. One each from the department of Finance and Law of the Central Government, one from the Reserve Bank of India and two other persons and having its head office in Bombay and regional offices in Delhi, Calcutta and Madras.

The Central Government reserves the right to terminate the services of the Chairman or any member of the Board. The Board decides questions in the meeting by majority vote with the Chairman having a second or casting vote.

Section 11 of the SEBI Act provides that to protect the interest of investors in securities and to promote the development of and to regulate the securities market by such measures, it is the duty of the Board. It has given power to the Board to regulate the business in Stock Exchanges, register and regulate the working of stock brokers, sub-brokers, share transfer agents, bankers to an issue, trustees of trust deeds, registrars to an issue, merchant bankers, underwriters, portfolio managers, investment advisers, etc., also to register and regulate the working of collective investment schemes including mutual funds, to prohibit fraudulent and unfair trade practices and insider trading, to regulate take-overs, to conduct enquiries and audits of the stock exchanges, etc.

All the stock brokers, sub-brokers, share transfer agents, bankers to an issue, trustees of trust deed, registrars to an issue, merchant bankers, underwriters, portfolio managers, investment advisers and such other intermediary who may be associated with the Securities Markets are to register with the Board under the provisions of the Act, under Section 12 of the SEBI Act. The Board has the power to suspend or cancel such registration. The Board is bound by the directions vested by the Central Government from time to time on questions of policy and the Central

Government reserves the right to supersede the Board. The Board is also obliged to submit a report to the Central Government each year, giving true and full account of its activities, policies and programmes. Any one of the aggrieved by the Board's decision is entitled to appeal to the Central Government.3.SEBIs - Power & Functions3.1 Functions of SEBI Section 11(2) empowers SEBI to take the following measures for the purpose of due performance of its duties under the Act.

1. Regulating business in stock exchanges and other securities markets;

2. Registering and regulating working of stock brokers, sub-brokers, share transfer agents, bankers to issue, trustees of trust deed, registrars to an issue, merchants bankers, underwriters, portfolio managers, investment adviser and such other intermediaries who may be associated with securities markets in any manner.

3. Registering and regulating working of depositories, custodians of securities. Foreign Institutional Investors, credit rating agencies and such other intermediaries of Boards may by notification, specify.

4. Registering and regulating working of Venture Capital Funds and collective investments schemes, including mutual funds.

5. Promoting and regulating self-regulatory organisations.

6. Prohibiting fraudulent and unfair trade practices relating to securities method.

7. Promoting investors education and training of intermediaries of securities markets;

8. Promoting insider trading in securities.

9. Regulating substantial acquisition of shares and takeover of companies;

10. Calling for information form, undertaking inspection, conducting enquires and audits of stock exchanges, mutual funds and intermediaries and self regulatory organisation in the securities market.

11. Calling for information and record from any bank or any other authority or boars or corporation established or constituted by or under any Central, State or Provincial Act in respect of any transaction in securities which are under investigation or inquiry by the Board.

12. Performing such functions under Securities Contract ( regulation) Act as may be delegated to SEBI by Central Government;

13. Levying fees or other charges for carrying out purpose of SEBI as stated above;

14. Conducting research for above purpose;

15. Calling information from agencies or furnishing information to agencies as maybe specified by Board;

16. Performing such other functions as may be prescribed.

3.2 Powers of SEBI In order to achieve the objectives of the Act, many powers have been conferred on SEBI. There have been a number of security scams in the Country involving loss of crores of rupees to small and innocent investors. The Government of India constituted a Joint Parliamentary Committee to probe these scams.

There is a feeling in many quarters that SEBI enjoys very limited powers and hence it is unable to regulate the security market.

i. Power to Seek Information: Section 11 of the SEBI Act, 1992 as amended by the Amending Act of 2002 confers a very important power on SEBI to seek information and records from any bank or any other statutory authority or board or corporation established either by central, state or local government. In other words, SEBI can now seek such information that would enable it to know the route through which the funds have been siphoned off. Earlier, it was not possible for SEBI to do so, resulting in hampering of investigations against offenders.

ii. Powers of Inspection: The new section 11(2) inserted by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Amendment) Act 202 empowers SEBI to conduct inspection of books, registers, documents and records of any listed company or public company intending to get its securities listed. Such an inspection can be conducted by SEBI when it has reasonable grounds to believe that the particular company has been indulging in insider trading or indulging in fraudulent and unfair trade practices relating to the securities market. It is interesting to note that this is the first time that inspection powers have been given to SEBI and that should help the regulator in conducting speedy and effective investigation.

iii. Powers of Civil Court Exercisable by SEBI: The SEBI shall have the same powers as revested in a civil court under the code of Civil Procedure, 1908 while trying a suit, in respect of the following matters: a. The discovery and production of books of account and other documents, at such place and such time as may be specified by the SEBI. b. Summoning and enforcing the attendance of persons and examining them on oath;

c. Inspection of any books, registers and other documents of any person referred to in section 12, at any place. d. Inspection of any book , or register, or other document or record of the company;

e. Issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses or documents.

iv. Powers of SEBI Where an Inquiry or Investigation is Ordered: SEBI may take any of the following measures, either pending investigation or inquiry or on the completion of such investigation or inquiry: a. Suspend the trading of any security in recognized stock exchange.

b. Restrain person from accessing the securities market and prohibit any person associated with the securities market to buy, sell or deal in securities.

c. Suspend the office bearers of any stock exchange or self regulatory organizations from holding such position.

d. Impound and retain the proceeds of securities in respect of any transaction which is under investigation.

e. Attach after passing of an order on an application made for approval by the Judicial Magistrate of first class having jurisdiction for a period not exceeding 1 month, one or more bank accounts of any intermediary or any person associated with the securities market in any manner involved in violation of any of the provision of this Act, or the rules of the regulations made there under. However, only the bank accounts or any transaction entered therein so far as it relates to the proceeds actually involved in violation of any of the provisions of this Act, or the rules or the regulations made there under shall be allowed to be attached.

f. Direct any intermediary or any person associated with the securities market in any manner not to dispose of or alienate any asset forming part of any transaction which is under investigation.

g. Power to regulate or prohibit issue of prospects, offer document or advertisement soliciting money for issue of securities.

v. Power to Issue Directions: SEBI may make an enquiry if it is satisfied that it is necessary:a. In the interest of investors, or orderly development of securities market; or b. To prevent the affairs of any intermediary being conducted in a manner detrimental to the interest of investors or securities market; or

c. To secure the proper management of any such intermediary or person. After making such inquiry as it deems fir, SEBI may, for protection of interests of investors, issue such directions, as it deems fit, to i. Any person or class of persons referred in section 12. ii. Any person associated with the securities market.

vi. Power of Search and Seizure: A new section 11C has been introduced in the principal Act by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Amendment) Act 202 which covers the power of search and seizure. This arms SEBI where it has reasonable grounds to believe that transactions in securities are being dealt with in the capital market in a manner detrimental to the interest of the securities market, to order investigation and also issue directions for the production of books and other relevant records, which may be kept in the custody of the investigation authority.

vii. Power to Order Cease and Desist: Section 11D, a new section inserted by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Amendment) Act 2002 empowers SEBI to issue a cease and desist order, where necessary. It provides that if the Board finds, after causing an inquiry to be made, that any person has violated, or is likely to violate, any provisions of this Act, or any rules or regulations made there under, the Board may pass an order requiring such person to cease and desist from committing or causing such violation.

viii. Power of SEBI under SCRA: Following are the powers enjoyed by the SEBI under the Securities Contracts Regulations Act, 1956.

a. To grant recognition to a stock exchange.

b. To withdraw recognition of any stock exchange in the interest of the trade.

c. To require every stock exchange to furnish periodical returns of day to day affairs.

d. To approve any stock exchange to make bye laws.

e. To super said the governing body of a recognized stock exchange.

f. To suspend the business of any recognized stock exchange for a limited period.

g. To compel listing of securities by public companies. ix. Power to Cancel Certificate:-the Board may, by order, suspend or cancel a certificate of registration in such manner as may be determined by regulations. However as per proviso of this section, no order under this sub-section shall be made unless the person concerned has been given a reasonable opportunity of being heard.

According to this section SEBI is empowered to suspend or cancel a certificate of registration granted by it. However, this should be done as per principle of natural justice and requires a reasonable opportunity of being heard to such person. Moreover, any order passed by SEBI under this sub section would affect vital rights of the concerned person, so, the order must be a speaking or reasoned order notwithstanding the fact that the SEBI is not a judicial or a quasi Judicial body

x. Powers to Prohibit the Manipulative and Deceptive Devices, Insider Trading and Substantial Acquisition of Securities or Control: According to Section 12 A of the act, no person shall directly or indirectly

(a) use or employ, in connection with the issue, purchase or sale of any securities listed or proposed to be listed on a recognised stock exchange any manipulative or deceptive device or contrivance in contravention of the provisions of this Act or the rules or the regulations made there under;

(b) employ any device, scheme or artifice to defraud in connection with issue or dealing in securities which are listed or proposed to be listed on a recognised stock exchange;

(c) engage in any act, practice, course of business which operates or would operate as fraud or deceit upon any person, in connection with the issue, dealing in securities which are listed or proposed to be listed on a recognised stock exchange, in contravention of the provisions of this Act or the rules or the regulations made there under;

(d) engage in insider trading;

(e) deal in securities while in possession of material or non-public information or communicate such material or non-public information to any other person, in a manner which is in contravention of the provisions of this Act or the rules or the regulations made there under;

(f) acquire control of any company or securities more than the percentage of equity share capital of a company whose securities are listed or proposed to be listed on a recognised stock exchange in contravention of the regulations made under this Act

Related CasesIn the matter of Securities and Exchange Board of India v. Ajay Agarwal,there was alleged misstatement of facts in prospectus of company and misguiding investors. Restraint order from accessing securities market (Power of SEBI to issue directions Section 11B of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992 ) While using powers the SEBI restrained Director of Company from accessing securities market on prima facie case that facts were misstated in the prospectus of the company during public issue of shares and therefore, investors were misguided. The Appellate Board ruled in favour of Respondent on ground that provision of Section 11B cannot be invoked in respect of the alleged misconduct which took place at a point of time when Section 11B was not on the statute book. The issue was whether Section 11B of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992 could be invoked by the Chairman of the in conjunction with Sections 4(3) and 11 for restraining the Respondent.The Supreme Court has held thatProvisions of Section 11B being procedural in nature can be applied retrospectively. Even if the law applies prospectively, the Board cannot be prevented from acting in terms of the law which exists on the day the Board passed its order. The High Court of Bombay has decided in favour of powers exercised by board under SEBI Act, in the matter of Banhem Securities Pvt. Ltd v. National Stock Exchange & ors. The brief facts of the matter are:- The challenge in this petition is to the circular issued by the SEBI Board dated 9.7.1999, the relevant portion of which reads thus :The Stock Exchange should on receipt of the arbitration award, debit the amount of the arbitration award from the security deposit or any other monies of the member (against whom an award has been passed) and keep the amount in a separate account. Thereafter, a confirmation may be obtained from the concerned member that he has not filed any appeal within the stipulated time under section 34 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, and only then the payment may be made to the awardee. If an appeal is filed and the same is pending in a Court of law, the amount so kept in the separate account be paid to the awardee in accordance with the court orders. At the time of debiting the amount, the Stock Exchange may if so desire inform him that the Exchange will not be liable for loss of interest, business etc in case the award is modified by the Court. The Exchange may also indicate that if any amount of interest is still payable to the awardee e.g. from the date of debiting the members account till the date of payment of the award amount to the awardee, the same be recoverable from the concerned member and the Stock Exchange shall not be liable in this regard.

The validity of the circular is assailed mainly on the ground that it is contrary to the provisions of section 36 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. Section 36 lays down that where time prescribed under section 34 to set aside the award has expired and no application is made therefrom or if it is made, it has been refused, then the award would become enforceable as a decree under the provisions of the C.P.C. It further provides that if application is made, then till the application is refused the award does not become enforceable as a decree and such enforceability is postponed till the application for setting aside the award under section 34 is decided. The contention is that if the award is not enforceable under the provisions of the said Act, it cannot be made executable by virtue of the administrative instructions issued by the SEBI. It is also contended that the impugned circular makes provision for deposit only in the case where the award is passed in favour of the constituent and against a broker but does not make any provision where the award is passed in favour of a broker and against the constituent. Therefore it is contended that the circular is violative of Article 14 of the Constitution. It is contended that in any event once award is set aside then the amount with accrued interest is liable to be refunded. The circular, however, provides only for refund of the principal amount. The Honble High court held that - In our opinion the challenge to the impugned circular is without any substance. The circular has been issued by the SEBI Board in exercise of powers under section 11 and 11B of the SEBI Act in order to protect interest of the investors. It has been brought to the notice of the SEBI Board that arbitration awards passed in favour of the clients / investors are not implemented and the Stock Exchanges are unable to take appropriate action in order to ensure implementation of the awards. In our opinion the decision taken by the SEBI is in the right direction. It helps to protect the investors. The circular issued by the SEBI is confined to members/ brokers of the Stock Exchanges and there is no question of the circular being contrary to the provisions of section 36 or any other provisions of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. We do not find any illegality or arbitrariness in the circular.Petition is dismissed

The High court of Calcutta has also given order in the case of in the matter of Raj Kumar Kishorepuri v. General Manager, Securities & Exchange Board of India & Ors. The brief facts of the matter - The petitioner in this writ petition is aggrieved by the notice issued by the General Manager, Securities and Exchange Board of India dated August 26th, 2004. By the notice he was asked to show cause why proceedings should not be initiated against him under the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992, s.11B, read with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Prohibition of Fraudulent and Unfair Trade Practices relating to Securities Market) Regulations, 1995, regn.12, and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Prohibition of Fraudulent and Unfair Trade Practices relating to Securities Market) Regulations, 2003, regn.11, for the role he played in the process of irregular allotment of preferential shares by a Padmini Technologies Ltd. in the year 1999.

Section 30 of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992 empowered the board to make regulations for carrying out the purposes of the Act. In exercise of such power it first made the 1995 regulations, which were repealed by the 2003 regulations (now in force), providing by their regn. 13 that notwithstanding the repeal violations of provisions of the repealed regulations shall be investigated and proceeded against, and any investigation pending, at the date of their commencement, shall be continued and disposed of, according to the procedure laid down in them. Counsel for the petitioner argues that provisions of regn. 12 of the repealed regulations and regulation 11 of the new regulations, both being substantive

provisions of law, as opposed to procedural ones, while, in view of provisions of regn.13 of the new regulations, the board is empowered to follow the procedural provisions of the new regulations for concluding the pending investigations, it does not possess the power to take any action against or punish the petitioner under regn. 11 of the new regulations, though, if occasion arises, it can do so under regn. 12 of the repealed regulations.

Counsel for the respondents argues that since sub-regns. 2 & 3 of regn. 13 begin with non obstante clauses, even for the violations of provisions of the repealed regulations by the petitioner, the board would be empowered to take action in terms of regn. 11 of the new regulations. She refers me to passages from treatise and the decisions in : Union of India & Anr. v. G. M. Kokil & Ors, Chandavarkar Sita Ratna Rao v. Ashalata S. Guram, Narcotics Control Bureau v. Kishan Lal and Ors., and M/s. Orient Paper & IndustriesLtd. & Anr. v. State of Orissa & Ors.In S N Mukherjee Vs Union of Indiathe Supreme Court has held that in view of the expanding horizon of the principle of natural justice, the requirement to record reasons can be regarded as one of the principle of natural justice which governs exercise of power by administrative authorities.

In another case, in The Securties Exchange Board of India v. Saikala Associaties Ltd.the apex court was considering an appeal filed by SEBI challenging the order passed by the Tribunal overturning the order earlier passed by SEBI against broker for violation of the provisions of section 12(1) read with rule 3, the 1992 rules. After considering the rival submissions, the only question before the apex court was, Whether Tribunal has power to modify the penalty imposed by SEBI? The Supreme court observed that , the position of Broker / sub broker in case of violation was statutorily provided under section 12 of the Act, which has to be read with rule 3 of the rules. The apex court further observed that , no power has been conferred on the Tribunal to travel beyond the areas covered by section 12 and rule 3 and concluded that when something was to be done statutorily in a particular way, it can be done only in that way and there was no scope for taking shelter under a discretionary power. Accordingly, the order of the Tribunal was set aside and the order passed by SEBI was restored.

Hence the Supreme Court has settled the issue that in case where even the manner of statutory penalty is provided by law then the tribunal has no option but to follow the law and it cannot change the penalty by taking recourse to the plea that it has discretionary power under the act.CONCLUSIONThe enactment of the SEBI Act within the context of other statutes such as the Companies Act and Depositories Act has provided a strong regulatory framework for the Indian market. Subsequently much of the growth of the Indian market can be attributed to the robust processes for issuance, pricing, allotment and listing of securities enabled by SEBI. Strengthening SEBI's power in the investigative, administrative and legal aspects of enforcement would enable it to speedily address legal challenges such as those faced during dematerialization or disclosure requirements. In the future, SEBI should adopt more transparency to gain higher public confidenceBibliography

Websites www.legalserviceindia.com http://www.legalserviceindia.com/article/l334-Protection-Of-The-Investors-By-Sebi.html http://www.legalserviceindia.com/article/l53-BROKERS.html shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/7800/9/09_chapter 3.pdfStatute

The Securities Exchange Board of India Act, 1992. Securities Contracts Regulations Act, 1956.

Section 138. Dishonour of cheque for insufficiency, etc., of funds in the account. Where any cheque drawn by a person on an account maintained by him with a banker for payment of any amount of money to another person from out of that account for the discharge, in whole or in part, of any debt or other liability, is returned by the bank unpaid. either because of the amount of money standing to the credit of that account is insufficient to honour the cheque or that it exceeds the amount arranged to be paid from that account by an agreement made with that bank, such person shall be deemed to have committed an offence and shall, without prejudice. to any other provision of this Act, be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine which may extend to twice the amount of the cheque, or with both: Provided that nothing contained in this section shall apply unless-

HYPERLINK "http://indiankanoon.org/doc/1543553/" (a)the cheque has been, presented to the bank within a period of six months from the date on which it is drawn or within the period of its validity, whichever is earlier;

HYPERLINK "http://indiankanoon.org/doc/1240817/" (b)the payee or the holder in due course. of the cheque as the case may be, makes a demand for the payment of the said amount of money by giving a notice, in writing, to the drawer of the cheque, within fifteen days of the receipt of information by him from the bank regarding the return of the cheque as unpaid; and

HYPERLINK "http://indiankanoon.org/doc/1440901/" (c)the drawer of such cheque fails to make the payment of the said amount of money to the payee or, as the case may be, to the holder in due course of the cheque, within fifteen days of the receipt of the said notice. Explanation.- For the purposes of this section," debt or other liability" means a legally enforceable debt or other liability.

Section 11 (3) of Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992.

Section 11 (4) of Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992.

Section 11B of Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992.

Section 12 (3) of the SEBI Act, 1992

Chapter V A of the SEBI Act, 1992

AIR 2010 SC 3466

[2003] 48 SCL 739 (BOM.)

[2005] 63 SCL 1 (CAL.)

1984 SCR (3) 292

1986 SCR (3) 866

1991 SCR (1) 139

1990 SCR Supl. (2) 480

1990 SCR Supl. (1) 44

( 2009) 91 SCL 443 (SC)

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