The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has imposed a two-year ban on real estate firm Omaxe, its chairman Rohtas Goel, managing director Mohit Goel, and three other key individuals for irregularities in the company’s financial statements. This significant move comes as a consequence of a comprehensive investigation into the financial conduct of the company.
The individuals barred from the securities markets, in addition to Rohtas Goel and Mohit Goel, include Sudhangshu S. Biswal, Arun Kumar Pandey, and Vimal Gupta. These five individuals are also prohibited from holding any directorial or key managerial positions in any other listed company for the next two years. SEBI has also imposed fines totalling Rs 47 lakh on 16 entities, with penalties ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 7 lakh, all of which are to be paid within 45 days. SEBI’s 126-page final order detailed how these entities executed a fraudulent scheme, portraying normal transactions as lending activities to maintain Omaxe’s share price despite the company’s losses. The financial statements for the fiscal years 2018-19, 2019-20, and 2020-21 were manipulated, misrepresenting revenue, debtors, advances, and expenses. This large-scale misrepresentation was aimed at sustaining the collateral value held by the promoter against loans, misleading shareholders and investors about the company’s true financial health.
The fraud, undisclosed to Omaxe’s shareholders, misled investors to continue holding or dealing in the company’s shares under false pretences. SEBI’s investigation revealed that the company’s manipulated financial statements had a direct impact on its stock price, thereby deceiving investors in the securities market. The forensic audit, prompted by serious allegations, covered the period from April 1, 2018, to March 31, 2021, encompassing three fiscal years. The regulator’s decisive action underscores its commitment to maintaining market integrity and protecting investor interests. By barring the involved parties from accessing the securities market and prohibiting any dealings, SEBI aims to prevent further market distortions and uphold the principles of transparency and accountability. The ban on Omaxe and its key figures serves as a stern reminder of the regulatory oversight exercised by SEBI in ensuring that listed companies adhere to ethical financial practices. As SEBI continues to monitor and audit companies for compliance, this action against Omaxe is expected to reinforce the standards of corporate governance within the Indian securities market.
