According to an application filed on Tuesday (August 13, 2024) in the Supreme Court, Hindenburg Research’s latest allegations against Madhabi Buch, SEBI chairperson, cast a “vague sense of confusion” that necessitates the court to complete its investigation into the Adani Group and make appropriate findings.
The appellant also reminded that the Supreme Court had given SEBI three months from January 3 as indicated in their judgement “preferably” to finish up 24 probes on Hindenburgs previous report which accused Adani Group of manipulating share prices and securities law violations. In that time frame, two out of twenty four investigations were yet to be done with external agencies involved.
“Therefore, it is pertinent in view of recent developments to specify a fixed period for completion of ongoing investigations.”
“It is important for public interest and the benefit of investors who suffered losses after publication of Hindenburg report in 2023 against Adani group. The right to know about SEBI’s inquiries and its outcomes are necessary for investors,” the joint prayer stated.
Hindenburg had alleged that Mrs. Buch along with her husband have investments through offshore funds connected with Adani Group’s alleged money laundering scandal.
“Whistleblower documents,” said the Report
One and half years ago there was a damning report by Hindenburg on Adani Group which impacted many things including cancellation of flagship ₹20k cr follow-on public offer by company.
On its blog page, Hindenburg posted: “…after 18 months since our original work on Adani Securities & Exchange Board Of India has shown remarkable disinterest in looking into Adani’s hidden tracks across Mauritius & offshore shell entities.” this plea averred.
Mr. Tiwari cited whistleblower documents relied on by Hindenburg to allege that they were both linked by their families to similar offshore Bermuda and Mauritius funds controlled by Vinod Adhani who is Gautam Adani’s elder brother and the chairman of the Adani Group. He said that these funds were used for round tripping and inflating stock prices.
Hindenburg maintained that a declaration of funds signed by a principal at IIFL says that the source of the investment was “salary”, and that their net worth was $10 million. According to Hindenburg, on March 22, 2017, just weeks before Ms. Buch’s appointment as SEBI chairperson, her husband wrote to the Mauritius fund administrator Trident Trust to be made sole signatory on all accounts.
The email appeared to have been sent by a whistleblower, who seemed likely to suggest moving assets out of his wife’s name knowing she was under consideration for this politically-sensitive role.
A subsequent account statement in February 2018 addressed to M/s Buch from her personal email reportedly gave a full picture of this structure which included GDOF Cell 90 (IPEplus Fund 1) — which is also allegedly being utilized by Mr. Vinod Adani in his capacity as an offshore shell company registered in Mauritius.
“These allegations against SEBI Chair have been refuted as baseless by the SEBI boss himself . The Supreme Court has also held in earlier cases like these no third party reports can be considered but all this has created an atmosphere of doubt in the minds of public and investors so….” submitted the application.
