GDR manipulation: Sebi bans ABL Technologies\, 2 others from securities mkt

GDR manipulation: Sebi bans ABL Technologies, 2 others from securities mkt

Press Trust of India  |  New Delhi 

Markets regulator Sebi has barred Biotechnologies for at least five years from for manipulating issuance of global depository receipts (GDRs).

As per the order, was the of at the time of violation.

The regulator also directed to continue efforts to recover an outstanding sum of USD 6.64 million (about Rs 46 crore) from Clifford Capital Partners, the only subscriber of the company's GDRs.

Sebi had conducted an investigation into the issue of GDRs by ABL and observed that the firm had issued 8.2 lakh GDRs for USD 6.68 million on June 20, 2008.

The investigation revealed that all the 8.2 lakh GDRs were subscribed by only one entity,

The subscription amount for GDRs was paid by after securing a loan from Lisbon-based

However, ABL had pledged the GDR proceeds to Banco against the loan given to Clifford Capital Partners for subscribing GDRs, Sebi said.

"The GDR issue would not have been subscribed if ABL had not given such a towards the loan taken by Clifford," Sebi said in an order dated May 31.

By entering into such an arrangement and not disclosing the same to investors, the firm led investors to believe that its GDR issue was successful whereas the same was subscribed by only one entity, the regulator said.

Regarding Clifford Capital Partners, the regulator said that it had actively participated with ABL in the fraudulent scheme of issue of GDR.

By indulging in such activities, all three entities violated the PFUTP (Prohibition of Fraudulent and Unfair Trade Practices) regulations, the (Sebi) said.

Accordingly, Sebi barred ABL from the for five years from the date it brings back USD 6.64 million from Clifford Capital Partners to its account, while and Clifford Capital Partners were banned for five years from the date of order.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Mon, June 03 2019. 20:00 IST