As highlighted in an earlier post, the Securities Appellate
Tribunal (SAT) has held that front running, carried out by a
non-intermediary, is not in violation of the SEBI (Prohibition of Fraudulent
and Unfair Trade Practices Relating to Securities Markets) Regulations, 2003
(hereinafter referred to as “PFUTP
Regulations”).
Tribunal (SAT) has held that front running, carried out by a
non-intermediary, is not in violation of the SEBI (Prohibition of Fraudulent
and Unfair Trade Practices Relating to Securities Markets) Regulations, 2003
(hereinafter referred to as “PFUTP
Regulations”).
The
facts, as narrated in the SAT order, are simple enough. An employee (“D”),
designated as a portfolio manager of a certain foreign institutional investor (FII),
came to know of certain proposed large trades by such FII. He organized with
his cousins to carry out their own personal trades ahead of such trades. The
next step was to reverse them when the FII itself came to trade. Considering
the size of the proposed FII trades, it appeared that if D traded first, he
would be able to move the price in a particular direction. This movement, coupled
with the trades of the FII, would help them make a profit in the reserve
transaction he would carry out with such FII. He (with his cousin) allegedly made,
and consistently too, such profits amounting to approximately Rs. 1.50 crores.
facts, as narrated in the SAT order, are simple enough. An employee (“D”),
designated as a portfolio manager of a certain foreign institutional investor (FII),
came to know of certain proposed large trades by such FII. He organized with
his cousins to carry out their own personal trades ahead of such trades. The
next step was to reverse them when the FII itself came to trade. Considering
the size of the proposed FII trades, it appeared that if D traded first, he
would be able to move the price in a particular direction. This movement, coupled
with the trades of the FII, would help them make a profit in the reserve
transaction he would carry out with such FII. He (with his cousin) allegedly made,
and consistently too, such profits amounting to approximately Rs. 1.50 crores.
The Adjudicating Officer held that these
transactions were in violation of Regulation 3(a) to 3(d) of the PFUTP
Regulations. A penalty aggregating to Rs. 11 crores was levied on D and his
cousins.
transactions were in violation of Regulation 3(a) to 3(d) of the PFUTP
Regulations. A penalty aggregating to Rs. 11 crores was levied on D and his
cousins.
On appeal, the SAT reversed the order of
the AO on two grounds.
the AO on two grounds.
Firstly, it took a view that front running
was made a specific violation of the PFUTP Regulations and it referred to front
running by intermediaries only. It compared with the PFUTP Regulations of 1995
which, according to SAT, covered front running by “any person”. Since D and his cousins were not
intermediaries, this clause could not apply to them.
was made a specific violation of the PFUTP Regulations and it referred to front
running by intermediaries only. It compared with the PFUTP Regulations of 1995
which, according to SAT, covered front running by “any person”. Since D and his cousins were not
intermediaries, this clause could not apply to them.
In the words of SAT, “In the absence of any specific
provision in the Act, rules or regulations prohibiting front running by a person
other than an intermediary, we are of the view that the appellants cannot be
held guilty of the charges levelled against them.”.
provision in the Act, rules or regulations prohibiting front running by a person
other than an intermediary, we are of the view that the appellants cannot be
held guilty of the charges levelled against them.”.
Secondly, it held that front running at
best amounted to a fraud by D on his employers. It also noted that the employer
had punished him by, effectively, making him resign. It did not, SAT held,
amounted to a manipulative practice or a fraud on the market. Hence, the
provisions of Regulations 3(a) to 3(d) could not apply to the present facts.
best amounted to a fraud by D on his employers. It also noted that the employer
had punished him by, effectively, making him resign. It did not, SAT held,
amounted to a manipulative practice or a fraud on the market. Hence, the
provisions of Regulations 3(a) to 3(d) could not apply to the present facts.
As the
SAT observed, “The alleged fraud on the part of Dipak may be a fraud against
its employer for which the employer has taken necessary action. In the absence
of any specific provision in law, it cannot be said that a fraud has been
played on the market or market has been manipulated by the appellants when all
transactions were screen based at the prevalent market price.”
SAT observed, “The alleged fraud on the part of Dipak may be a fraud against
its employer for which the employer has taken necessary action. In the absence
of any specific provision in law, it cannot be said that a fraud has been
played on the market or market has been manipulated by the appellants when all
transactions were screen based at the prevalent market price.”
The decision raises several concerns and questions.
There is surely some point to SAT’s view that unless there is a manipulation in
or fraud on the market, a purely private wrong cannot be punished by SEBI
unless there is a specific provision prohibiting it. However, the question
still remains that when such a wrong is carried out in the market, how private
does it indeed remain? And if it remains unpunished, whether it will affect the
credibility of the market?
There is surely some point to SAT’s view that unless there is a manipulation in
or fraud on the market, a purely private wrong cannot be punished by SEBI
unless there is a specific provision prohibiting it. However, the question
still remains that when such a wrong is carried out in the market, how private
does it indeed remain? And if it remains unpunished, whether it will affect the
credibility of the market?
The question also arises whether the decision was
arrived at because the charges were framed too narrowly limiting it to specific
clauses in the PFUTP Regulations. Or whether the decision has a broader scope
and that such decision would apply generally leaving with SEBI no powers –
either under the other clauses of the PFUTP Regulations or under the Act – to
deal with such acts.
arrived at because the charges were framed too narrowly limiting it to specific
clauses in the PFUTP Regulations. Or whether the decision has a broader scope
and that such decision would apply generally leaving with SEBI no powers –
either under the other clauses of the PFUTP Regulations or under the Act – to
deal with such acts.
There is another point that the SAT made which does
not seem to be correct. It held that the 2003 PFUTP Regulations made a
departure from the 1995 PFUTP Regulations. The 1995 PFUTP Regulations, as per SAT,
prohibited front running by any person. The 2003 PFUTP Regulations, however, prohibited
front running by intermediaries only.
not seem to be correct. It held that the 2003 PFUTP Regulations made a
departure from the 1995 PFUTP Regulations. The 1995 PFUTP Regulations, as per SAT,
prohibited front running by any person. The 2003 PFUTP Regulations, however, prohibited
front running by intermediaries only.
SAT observed, “We are
inclined to agree with learned counsel for the appellants that the 1995 Regulations
prohibited front running by any person dealing in the securities
market and a departure has been made in the Regulations of 2003 whereby front
running has been prohibited only by intermediaries.” (emphasis supplied)
inclined to agree with learned counsel for the appellants that the 1995 Regulations
prohibited front running by any person dealing in the securities
market and a departure has been made in the Regulations of 2003 whereby front
running has been prohibited only by intermediaries.” (emphasis supplied)
The relevant Regulation 6 does start with the phrase
“No person shall…”. However, clause (b), which seems to be the relevant clause SAT
refers to as specifically referring to front running, reads as follows:-
“No person shall…”. However, clause (b), which seems to be the relevant clause SAT
refers to as specifically referring to front running, reads as follows:-
“(No person shall) on his
own behalf or on behalf of any person, knowingly buy, sell or otherwise deal in
securities, pending the execution of any order of his client
relating to the same security for purchase, sale or other dealings in respect
of securities.
own behalf or on behalf of any person, knowingly buy, sell or otherwise deal in
securities, pending the execution of any order of his client
relating to the same security for purchase, sale or other dealings in respect
of securities.
Nothing
contained in this clause shall apply where according to the clients
instruction, the transaction for the client is to be effected only
under specified conditions or in specified circumstances;” (emphasis supplied)
contained in this clause shall apply where according to the clients
instruction, the transaction for the client is to be effected only
under specified conditions or in specified circumstances;” (emphasis supplied)
Thus, while the prohibition is on any person, the
prohibition applies provided such dealing is “pending the execution of any
order of his client”.
prohibition applies provided such dealing is “pending the execution of any
order of his client”.
Having said that, it is also clear that the present
facts and decision was not with reference to 1995 Regulations but the 2003
Regulations and they do refer specifically to intermediaries. Still, this
distinction sought to be made appears to be erroneous.
facts and decision was not with reference to 1995 Regulations but the 2003
Regulations and they do refer specifically to intermediaries. Still, this
distinction sought to be made appears to be erroneous.
It
seems certain, considering the nature of the transaction, and the amounts
involved and the other cases of a similar nature, that SEBI will appeal this case
before the Supreme Court.