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The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has announced the auction of 28 properties, collectively valued at INR 28.66 crore, linked to companies involved in unlawful fundraising activities. Key defaulters include the Bishal Group, Sumangal Industries, Mangalam Agro Products, and others, who raised funds through unregistered schemes and non-compliant instruments, affecting thousands of investors. SEBI's auction aims to recover and return funds to investors, emphasizing the need for bidders to conduct due diligence regarding encumbrances or disputes. This proactive step reinforces SEBI's commitment to safeguarding investor interests, ensuring market compliance, and deterring financial misconduct.
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has initiated an auction of properties linked to several companies involved in unlawful fundraising activities. Out of 28 properties up for auction, the Bishal Group is associated with 17, Mangalam Agro Products with six, Sumangal Industries with three, and one property each from Purusattam Infotech Industries and Ravi Kiran Realty India. This auction is part of SEBI's broader efforts to recover funds from companies that have neglected regulatory compliance, urging potential bidders to undertake independent due diligence regarding encumbrances, litigation, and property titles before placing bids.
Several companies have been found to have violated market regulations by mobilizing funds without adhering to proper compliance protocols. Investigations conducted by SEBI uncovered significant irregularities in their fundraising activities. For instance, Mangalam Agro Products illicitly raised INR 11 crore through secured non-convertible debentures (NCDs), which were issued to about 4,820 investors between 2011 and 2012.
Similarly, Sumangal Industries collected INR 85 crore through unregistered collective investment schemes (CIS), further highlighting the lack of regulatory compliance in their operations. Furthermore, various entities within the Bishal Group were implicated in similar activities, with Bishal Distillers raising INR 4 crore, Bishal Agri-Bio Industries securing INR 3 crore, and Bishal Horticulture and Animal Projects mobilizing INR 2.84 crore. Additionally, Bishal Abasan India raised INR 2.75 crore in 2011-2012 and an impressive INR 89 crore through NCDs from 2012 to 2014. Lastly, Ravi Kiran Realty India attracted funds from 1,176 individuals by issuing redeemable preference shares (RPS), underlining the widespread nature of these regulatory breaches.
The funds were primarily mobilised during 2006-2014, with none of the firms adhering to the requisite market regulations, thereby violating investor protection norms.
SEBI's decision to auction these properties is part of its ongoing efforts to recover funds from companies that have unlawfully raised money. The auction aims to return these funds to the affected investors. SEBI has appointed Adroit Technical Services to facilitate the sale of these assets.
The regulator has made it clear that bidders must ensure they thoroughly investigate any potential legal or ownership issues linked to the properties. SEBI's notice also highlights that any claims or disputes related to the properties must be resolved before participating in the auction.
This auction is a significant move by SEBI to reinforce its commitment to safeguarding investor interests and ensuring compliance with market regulations. By targeting companies that engaged in illegal fundraising, SEBI aims to deter similar practices in the future.
The recovery process demonstrates SEBI's proactive stance in addressing financial misconduct. It also serves as a warning to companies that attempt to bypass regulatory frameworks, signalling that stringent action will be taken against violators.
SEBI's auction of properties belonging to Bishal Group, Sumangal Industries, and others marks a critical step in recovering investor funds. With properties collectively valued at INR 28.66 crore, the auction highlights the regulator's determination to address non-compliance and uphold market integrity. By ensuring that affected investors are compensated, SEBI continues to strengthen trust in the financial market.
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