Business
Bombay HC Stays FIR Order Against Ex-SEBI Chief Madhabi Puri Buch & 5 Others In 1994 Stock Market Fraud Case

Mumbai: In a major relief to the former SEBI chairperson and five others, the Bombay High Court on Tuesday stayed the special court’s order directing the registration of an FIR against them in connection with an alleged stock market fraud and regulatory violations dating back to 1994.
The court noted that the special judge had passed the order mechanically, without examining the details or attributing any specific role to the accused.
Observation Made By Justice Shivkumar Dige
“It appears that the learned judge (special ACB judge) has passed the order mechanically, without going into the details and without attributing any specific role to the applicants. Hence, the order is stayed till the next date,” Justice Shivkumar Dige ordered.
Bombay HC Stays The Order
The HC stayed the order while hearing petitions filed by Buch, three current whole-time SEBI directors — Ashwani Bhatia, Ananth Narayan G, and Kamlesh Chandra Varshney — and two BSE officials — Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Ramamurthy, and its former chairman and public interest director, Pramod Agarwal.
On March 1, the special court had directed the Anti-Corruption Bureau to register an FIR against the six individuals.
They approached the HC on Monday, seeking to quash the special court’s order, contending that it was “unjust” and “harsh.” The officials argued that none of them held their current positions in 1994 and that the trial court ought to have recognized that “no vicarious liability can be fastened” on them.
Arguments Made By Solicitor General Of India
Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta, appearing for the three whole-time SEBI directors, submitted that the complainant, Sapan Shrivastava, was a habitual litigant. He also pointed out that the high court had previously imposed a cost of Rs5 lakh on him for filing a frivolous petition.
Terming Shrivastava’s allegations vague, Mehta argued that no specific accusations had been leveled against the officials. He said the complainant sought a probe into an IPO from 1994, when the six officials were not holding any positions in SEBI or BSE.
“No averments, no explanations given — just a statement that SEBI has failed to discharge its duties. The complaint has been filed against officers who are in office now, for an alleged offense presumed to have taken place in 1994. How can they be held responsible?” Mehta questioned.
Arguments Made By Senior Advocate Amit Desai, Representing The Two BSE Officials
Senior advocate Amit Desai, representing the two BSE officials, said the complainant had made scandalous statements with serious ramifications for the economy, as vague allegations were being made against members of the principal capital market regulatory body.
Further, Desai argued that the special court judge had erred by not ensuring compliance with the Prevention of Corruption Act, which requires sanction for investigating public servants.
“Today’s economy largely survives on an inflow of funds. Taking this type of action (ordering the registration of an FIR) is an attack on the country’s economy. Such action against a market regulator — how frivolous can it get? Unfortunately, the judge did not realize the extent of the matter,” Desai submitted.
Moreover, Desai pointed out that the company in question had been delisted from the BSE in 2019, while the complaint was filed before the court in March 2024.
Senior advocate Sudeep Pasbola, appearing for Buch, also argued that action could not have been taken based on vague allegations made by the complainant.
The complainant, Shrivastava, sought time to file a reply to the petitions.
Justice Dige granted time for the reply and scheduled the matter for hearing after four weeks while staying the special court’s order.
Business
SEBI confirms ban on LS Industries and key individuals amid fraud probe

Mumbai, May 31: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has confirmed the suspension of LS Industries, its promoter Profound Finance, and four other individuals from participating in the securities markets.
The action comes as part of an ongoing investigation into allegations of fraudulent activities and manipulation of the company’s share price.
The individuals barred include Jahangir Panikkaveettil Perumbarambathu, the promoter of Profound Finance, as well as Suresh Goyal, Alka Sahni, and Shashi Kant Sahni HUF, a Dubai-based NRI shareholder of LS Industries.
SEBI has extended the deadline for completing the investigation until November 15 and has directed all involved parties to cooperate fully with the inquiry.
Back in February 2025, SEBI had issued an interim order banning LS Industries and its associates from trading in the stock market due to suspicious activities.
The regulator also ordered Perumbarambathu to return illegal gains of Rs 1.14 crore that he allegedly earned through the sale of shares under the suspected scheme.
SEBI ‘s probe centres on LS Industries and its associates being involved in a scheme to artificially boost the company’s share price.
Despite having reported almost no revenue for three consecutive financial years (FY22 to FY24) and the first three quarters of FY25, the company’s stock surged dramatically.
Between July 23 and September 27, 2024, the share price skyrocketed from Rs 22.50 to Rs 267.50 — raising the company’s market valuation to an eye-popping Rs 22,700 crore.
This sharp rise in share price occurred without any improvement in the company’s financial performance, raising red flags.
SEBI’s interim findings noted dubious transfers of shares to Perumbarambathu and unusual trading patterns by some individuals.
The regulator stated that these factors strongly suggested a deliberate plan to mislead investors and manipulate the stock.
SEBI emphasised that it appeared, on the surface, that LS Industries and the other parties were involved in a coordinated effort to deceive the market.
“The investigation is ongoing, and the parties will remain barred from market activities until its conclusion,” the market regulator stated.
Crime
Woman drug supplier arrested in Delhi’s Mangolpuri; ganja seized

New Delhi, May 31: A woman drug supplier was arrested from Delhi’s Mangolpuri area and 427 grams of ganja was recovered from her possession, police said on Saturday.
The accused was identified as ‘M’. The arrest comes amid the Delhi Police’s ongoing crackdown on narcotics under its ‘Zero Tolerance’ policy and the broader objectives of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA).
Acting on a tip-off received by Constable Bajrang of Police Station Mangolpuri that a female was allegedly in possession of ganja, a raid was conducted at the specified location.
Constable Bajrang and a female staff member observed a suspicious female carrying a white polythene bag.
“On noticing the presence of police personnel, the suspect attempted to hide. However, the alert police team, with the assistance of a female staff namely W/HC Pooja, swiftly apprehended her,” said Sachin Sharma, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Outer District, New Delhi.
A polythene bag containing 427 grams of ‘ganja’ and Rs 1,470 in cash was recovered from the possession of the accused.
The accused was booked under Section 20(A) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 at Police Station Mangolpuri.
Further investigation is underway to identify and apprehend other associates involved in the illegal drug trade, the police said.
In another case on May 29, the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) of the Delhi Police Crime Branch arrested Jameel Ahmad, the alleged mastermind of a major drug trafficking syndicate. Ahmed has been absconding for six years.
The case dates back to June 2019, when the then Narcotics Cell (now ANTF) of the Crime Branch seized 500 kg of ganja from a truck at Metcalfe Bus Stand, Kashmere Gate.
Three persons — Aslam Khan and Mausam Khan, both from Nuh district in Haryana, and Jakam Khan from Alwar, Rajasthan — were arrested in connection with the consignment, who revealed that they had committed the crime at the behest of Ahmed.
National
Delhi records wettest May; IMD issues ‘Orange Alert’ for today

New Delhi, May 31: Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 34.8 degrees Celsius on Saturday morning, marking one of the warmer days of the season. However, despite the high morning temperature, this May has been unusual in many ways, including below-normal daytime temperatures, unprecedented frequent rains, and the absence of any heatwave conditions.
In terms of rainfall, May 2025 has been historic for Delhi, with the capital receiving 188.9 mm of rainfall, the highest-ever rainfall recorded in the month of May. This is over 202 per cent more than the normal monthly average of 62.6 mm. In contrast, May 2024 saw just 0.4 mm of rain, which was 99 per cent below average, with not a single rainy day recorded.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), this is only the third time in the last five years that Delhi has seen the mercury stay below 40 degrees Celsius throughout May. Not a single day this month recorded conditions severe enough to be classified as an intense heatwave, making it a rare exception in the typically scorching summer month.
The current spell of unusual weather is being attributed to the early arrival of the monsoon in Mumbai, which has had a ripple effect on weather systems in northern India, including Delhi. However, meteorologists have clarified that the monsoon has not yet arrived in the national Capital, even though conditions have turned significantly cooler and wetter.
The IMD has issued an ‘Orange Alert’ for Delhi-NCR tonight, warning residents to stay alert as thunderstorms and heavy rain are likely. An ‘Orange Alert’ signals potentially disruptive weather, and people are advised to prepare for sudden changes in conditions.
The forecast suggests rain accompanied by thunder and strong winds will continue across Delhi and surrounding areas till June 4. A ‘Yellow Alert’ is also in place for Saturday, with the possibility of rain showers at any time during the day.
Meanwhile, the Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 167, placing it in the ‘moderate’ category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
The AQI scale defines values between 101–200 as ‘moderate,’ while 201–300 is ‘poor,’ and 301–400 is considered ‘very poor’.
With unpredictable weather continuing, Delhi people are advised to remain cautious and plan accordingly as the city experiences one of its most unusual Mays in recent history.
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