Sebi bans RIL from equity derivatives market for one year

Sebi on Friday banned Reliance Industries and 12 others from equity derivatives trading for one year and directed the Mukesh Ambani-led firm to disgorge nearly Rs 1,0000000000 for alleged fraudulent trading in a 10-year-old case. A company spokesperson said it will challenge the order. Reliance Industries has been asked to disgorge Rs 4470000000, along with an annual interest of 12% since November 29, 2007, which itself would be more than Rs 5000000000, taking the total disgorgement amount to nearly Rs 1,0000000000. The case related to alleged fraudulent trading in the Fand O space in the securities of RIL's erstwhile listed subsidiary Reliance Petroleum. In a 54-page order passed by Whole-Time Member G Mahalingam, RIL and 12 other entities have been prohibited from dealing in the "equity derivatives in the Fand O segment of stock exchanges, directly or indirectly". The ban will be in place for one year from Friday. The 12 other entities are Gujarat Petcoke and Petro Product supply, Aarthik Commercials, LPG Infrastructure India, Relpol Plastic Products, Fine Tech Commercials, Pipeline Infrastructure India, Motech software, Darshan Securities, Relogistics (India), Relogistics (Rajasthan), Vinamara Universal Traders and Dharti Investment and Holdings. Reliance Industries has been directed to disgorge the amount, along with interest within 45 days. Mahalingam said the directions are being passed after taking into consideration the magnitude of the fraud across the markets. "I am inclined to pass certain directions against the noticees in order to protect the interest of the investors and reinstil their faith in the regulatory system," the order said. "The noticees may, however, square off or close out their existing open positions." The Reliance Industries group had earlier sought to settle the case, but Sebi had refused. The proceedings in the long-pending case were expedited in the last few months. Reliance Petroleum has been merged with the listed parent firm. Disclosure Network18, the publisher of Firstpost, is owned by Reliance Industries.