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RBI compounds FEMA violations in Deccan Digital Networks case: ED

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New Delhi, Feb 11: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued a compounding order of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) violations in the case of Deccan Digital Networks Pvt Ltd, according to a statement issued by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday.

The compounding order was passed by the Reserve Bank on January 14 under Section 15 of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA), “in the case of Deccan Digital Networks Private Limited, which has resulted in termination of proceedings against the company for alleged contraventions of provisions of FEMA, 1999”, the ED statement said.

The agency statement further added that the said order has been passed by the RBI after issuance of ‘No Objection’ by the ED.

In this case, based on the credible information received, an investigation was taken up by the ED under the provisions of FEMA.

After completion of the investigation, ED filed a complaint under Section 16 of FEMA before the Adjudicating Authority on December 27, 2012, against Deccan Digital Networks, pointing out several contraventions under FEMA, 1999, for which compounding has been passed by the RBI.

These contraventions are late reporting of “foreign inward payments under Para 9(1) (A) of Schedule 1 to FEMA 20/2000-RB, covering Rs 11,82,84,399 and late filing of Form FCGPR after issuing shares under Para 9(1) (B) of the same Schedule 1 to FEMA 20/2000-RB, covering Rs 11,82,84,400”.

As per the provisions of FEMA, the adjudication proceedings were initiated by the Adjudicating Authority by issuance of a Show Cause Notice under Section 16 of FEMA to the company and its Directors/officers who were in charge and responsible for the conduct of the business of the company during the relevant period of contravention.

The ED statement said that the company, later on, filed an application before the RBI for compounding of the said contraventions under FEMA as per the provisions of Section 15 of the Act. On reference from the RBI, the ED issued no objection for such compounding in line with the true spirit of the Act.

Accordingly, the RBI, on the basis of no objection issued by ED, has compounded the said contraventions vide compounding order with a one-time payment of Rs 1,03,333.

“This has resulted in termination of adjudication proceedings under the provisions of FEMA, 1999, against the company for the said contraventions as well as further litigation,” said the ED statement.

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Govt earmarks Rs 2,010 crore to boost judicial infra, eCourt modernisation

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New Delhi, July 26: The government has allocated Rs 2,010 crore to boost judicial infrastructure and digitisation of courts, including necessary training and capacity building programmes.

According to Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for Development of Infrastructure Facilities for the District and Subordinate Courts, a sum of Rs 810 crore has been allocated in the Union Budget 2026 for judicial infrastructure.

In addition, sum of Rs 1,200 crore has been allocated in the Budget for the eCourts Project Phase-III being implemented for digitisation of courts including necessary training and capacity building programmes, he said in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.

Adequate budgetary provisions are made under these Schemes based on approved outlays and availability of funds.

“However, the expeditious disposal of cases depends on multiple factors including complexity of case, quality of investigation, availability of relevant evidence and presentation thereof by the Advocates, timely delivery of the court processes, active participation of the parties, judicial procedures, etc,” said the minister.

The government, in coordination with states and the judiciary, has taken several measures to ensure accessible, speedy and effective justice across the country.

Meanwhile, a Centrally Sponsored Scheme to set up Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs), including exclusive POCSO (ePOCSO) courts was launched in October 2019, for the expeditious trial and disposal of pending cases related to rape and offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.

The scheme was extended twice, with the last extension valid up to March 31, 2026 for establishment of 790 FTSCs. The scheme has been temporarily extended upto September 30, 2026.

As per the information made available by the High Courts, as of April 30, 775 FTSCs, including 398 exclusive POCSO (e-POCSO) Courts were functional in 29 States/UTs, informed the minister.

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HDFC Bank shares fall over 1 pc as US law firms launch securities probe

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New Delhi, July 24: Shares of India’s largest private sector lender, HDFC Bank, fell more than 1 per cent in early trade on Friday after three US law firms announced separate investigations into whether the bank may have violated federal securities laws.

The investigations were announced by the Law Offices of Howard G. Smith, the Law Offices of Frank R. Cruz and Glancy Prongay Wolke & Rotter through separate press releases.

According to the law firms, the investigations are focused on whether HDFC Bank and certain of its executives made materially misleading statements or failed to disclose information relevant to investors, potentially violating US federal securities laws.

The probes stem from a May 27 report by The Indian Express — which alleged that HDFC Bank made payments of about Rs 45 crore (Rs 450 million or around $4.7 million) to the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) to attract large institutional deposits.

The report also alleged that the payments were booked as marketing expenses and that the bank’s Chief Executive Officer was aware of them.

According to the law firms, HDFC Bank’s American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) fell $1.02, or 4.1 per cent, to close at $23.78 on May 27 following the publication of the report.

The firms have invited investors who suffered losses in HDFC Bank ADRs to contact them and share relevant information as they assess whether there are sufficient grounds to pursue securities-related claims.

However, no securities class action lawsuit has been filed against HDFC Bank at this stage. The investigations are preliminary and are intended to determine whether legal action is warranted.

However, the lender has not issued any statement on the matter to the stock exchanges — the NSE and the BSE — till 10:30 am.

On Friday, HDFC Bank shares fell as much as 1.44 per cent during early trade on the BSE. The stock has declined more than 25 per cent over the past one year, nearly 20 per cent in the last six months, and around 25 per cent so far this calendar year.

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IndusInd Bank shares tumble over 6 pc after Q1 results

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New Delhi, July 23: Shares of private sector banking stock IndusInd Bank fell more than 6 per cent in early trade on Thursday after the bank posted its June quarter earnings.

The banking stock plunged as much as 6.29 per cent to 1002.50, hitting an intraday low of Rs 1,002.50 on the BSE at around 11:50 am.

At the last count, the stock was trading at Rs 1,006.75, a decrease of 5.90 per cent.

The selling pressure in the banking stock came after the private lender reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 1,037.05 crore for the first quarter of FY27 on Wednesday, compared with Rs 604.07 crore in the corresponding period last year.

The earnings were supported by a 21 per cent decline in provisions and contingencies, which stood at Rs 1,384 crore.

The lender’s net interest income (NII) rose 1 per cent year-on-year to Rs 4,685 crore, while its gross non-performing asset (GNPA) ratio improved to 3.25 per cent. Gross slippages also declined to Rs 1,660 crore from Rs 2,567 crore a year ago.

Earlier in June, the bank witnessed selling pressure after reports claimed a complaint seeking an investigation into alleged insider trading, governance lapses, and audit shortcomings at the bank.

The selling pressure in shares followed reports suggesting that a whistleblower had approached multiple authorities — including the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO), the National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) and other agencies.

According to them, the complaint alleged insider trading, manipulation of financial records, evergreening of microfinance loans, suppression of audit findings and attempts by senior management and board members to conceal irregularities.

Additionally, the stock has touched a 52-week high of Rs 1,077.80 and a 52-week low of Rs 710.85 on Thursday on the BSE.

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