The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has dealt a severe blow to industrialist Anil Ambani and 24 other entities, including key former officials of Reliance Home Finance Ltd (RHFL), by banning them from the securities market for five years and imposing a penalty of Rs 25 crore on Ambani. This decision comes after a thorough investigation into allegations of fund diversion from RHFL, uncovering a fraudulent scheme orchestrated by Ambani and his associates.
In its 222-page order, Sebi detailed how Ambani used his position as chairperson of the ADA Group and his indirect control over RHFL to collaborate with the company’s key managerial personnel in misappropriating company funds. These funds were disguised as loans extended to entities linked to Ambani, which were often financially unviable and lacked sufficient assets or revenue. The investigation revealed the existence of a fraudulent scheme to siphon off funds from RHFL by structuring them as loans to credit-unworthy conduit borrowers, ultimately benefiting entities associated with Ambani.
The investigation, covering the financial year 2018-19, was initiated following multiple complaints and reports of possible misappropriation of RHFL’s resources. Sebi’s findings highlighted a failure in corporate governance at RHFL, where the management, under Ambani’s influence, disregarded directives from the board of directors to curb questionable lending practices. The fraudulent activities were primarily driven by certain key individuals within the organization, despite the company being manipulated.
Sebi has imposed a penalty of Rs 25 crore on Anil Ambani and barred him from holding any position as a director or Key Managerial Personnel (KMP) in any listed company or intermediary registered with the market regulator for the next five years. RHFL itself has been banned from the securities market for six months and fined Rs 6 lakh. Additionally, former RHFL officials and entities associated with Ambani’s business empire have also been fined for their involvement in the scandal.
This latest development follows Sebi’s interim order in February 2022, which had already barred RHFL, Anil Ambani, and three other individuals from the securities market. The final order solidifies these restrictions, emphasizing the seriousness of the violations and the regulator’s commitment to holding those responsible accountable.
For the over 900,000 shareholders of RHFL, the repercussions of this fraud are significant, with many facing substantial losses due to the company’s devaluation. As legal and regulatory actions continue, this case underscores the critical importance of corporate governance and the necessity for stringent oversight in financial markets.
Reliance Home Finance Ltd shares have dropped 5.12% as of 11:45 am on Friday, reflecting the impact of these developments on the company’s value. As the situation unfolds, stakeholders will closely monitor the outcomes of Sebi’s actions and the implications for the individuals and entities involved.