[The following guest post is contributed by Kanwardeep
Singh Kapany (5th
B.S.L.LL.B) and Mitravinda Chunduru (4th B.S.L.LL.B.), both students of ILS Law College,
Pune]
Singh Kapany (5th
B.S.L.LL.B) and Mitravinda Chunduru (4th B.S.L.LL.B.), both students of ILS Law College,
Pune]
INTRODUCTION
The on-line trading system on the stock exchange
is a blind trading system, which maintains complete anonymity of the persons
trading on it. It does not permit the buyers and sellers to have any
interaction between them except through the trading system. Stock brokers execute
the trades, buy or sell, for their clients. A buy order placed on the system matches
with a sell order and a trade comes to be executed and this matching is done by
the system on a price time priority basis.[1] Despite the anonymity of
the system, it has been alleged before the Securities & Exchange Board of
India (“SEBI”), the Securities
Appellate Tribunal (“SAT”) and other
competent original and appellate jurisdiction bearing forums (collectively
called “Competent Forums”) that market players and intermediaries,
either individuals or corporate entities, have thwarted the checks and balances
innate in the system by executing manipulative trades (“Alleged Contravener”)
which in turn aids market rigging.
is a blind trading system, which maintains complete anonymity of the persons
trading on it. It does not permit the buyers and sellers to have any
interaction between them except through the trading system. Stock brokers execute
the trades, buy or sell, for their clients. A buy order placed on the system matches
with a sell order and a trade comes to be executed and this matching is done by
the system on a price time priority basis.[1] Despite the anonymity of
the system, it has been alleged before the Securities & Exchange Board of
India (“SEBI”), the Securities
Appellate Tribunal (“SAT”) and other
competent original and appellate jurisdiction bearing forums (collectively
called “Competent Forums”) that market players and intermediaries,
either individuals or corporate entities, have thwarted the checks and balances
innate in the system by executing manipulative trades (“Alleged Contravener”)
which in turn aids market rigging.
This post deals with one such modus operandi
called as a ‘synchronised trade’, which can transpire only in the secondary
market and not at all in the primary market. Synchronised trading, in certain
situations, is found to violate and therefore is punishable under the
Securities & Exchange Board of India Act, 1992[2] (“SEBI Act”), the Securities
& Exchange Board of India (Prohibition of Fraudulent and Unfair Trade
Practices) Regulations, 2005[3] (“PFUTP Regulations”),
as well as the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Stock Brokers and Sub –
Brokers) Regulations, 1992[4] (“Broker Regulations”)
(collectively called the “Act & Regulations”). This treatment being
meted out to synchronised trading is in line with the single pointed objective
of the SEBI Act, which is to protect the interests of investors in securities
and to promote the development of securities market by regulating it. The said
objective is imbibed by both PFUTP Regulations as well as Broker Regulations as
the former prohibits manipulative, fraudulent and unfair trade practices and
the latter mandates brokers to maintain high standards of integrity,
promptitude, fairness and to exercise due skill, care and diligence in the
conduct of its business.[5]
called as a ‘synchronised trade’, which can transpire only in the secondary
market and not at all in the primary market. Synchronised trading, in certain
situations, is found to violate and therefore is punishable under the
Securities & Exchange Board of India Act, 1992[2] (“SEBI Act”), the Securities
& Exchange Board of India (Prohibition of Fraudulent and Unfair Trade
Practices) Regulations, 2005[3] (“PFUTP Regulations”),
as well as the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Stock Brokers and Sub –
Brokers) Regulations, 1992[4] (“Broker Regulations”)
(collectively called the “Act & Regulations”). This treatment being
meted out to synchronised trading is in line with the single pointed objective
of the SEBI Act, which is to protect the interests of investors in securities
and to promote the development of securities market by regulating it. The said
objective is imbibed by both PFUTP Regulations as well as Broker Regulations as
the former prohibits manipulative, fraudulent and unfair trade practices and
the latter mandates brokers to maintain high standards of integrity,
promptitude, fairness and to exercise due skill, care and diligence in the
conduct of its business.[5]
MEANING
OF A SYNCHRONISED TRADE
OF A SYNCHRONISED TRADE
A synchronised trade is one wherein buy and sell
orders are placed simultaneously for the same amount and at the same price[6] (“Legal Synchronisation”).
Synchronised trades per se are not
illegal and they have been sanctified by SEBI subject to certain conditions.[7]
However, synchronised trades can be executed with a view to manipulate the
price or the volumes of the traded scrip or both or with some ulterior purpose
(“Illegal Synchronisation”), therefore violating provisions of the
aforementioned Act & Regulations. Whether an Illegal Synchronisation has
been undertaken will have to be gathered from the intention of the parties[8]
for which there would seldom be any direct or foolproof evidence. The reason
for this is that the intention of the parties concerned would be within their
special knowledge.
orders are placed simultaneously for the same amount and at the same price[6] (“Legal Synchronisation”).
Synchronised trades per se are not
illegal and they have been sanctified by SEBI subject to certain conditions.[7]
However, synchronised trades can be executed with a view to manipulate the
price or the volumes of the traded scrip or both or with some ulterior purpose
(“Illegal Synchronisation”), therefore violating provisions of the
aforementioned Act & Regulations. Whether an Illegal Synchronisation has
been undertaken will have to be gathered from the intention of the parties[8]
for which there would seldom be any direct or foolproof evidence. The reason
for this is that the intention of the parties concerned would be within their
special knowledge.
FACTORS
DEMONSTRATING ILLEGAL SYNCHRONISATION
DEMONSTRATING ILLEGAL SYNCHRONISATION
The intention of the parties to indulge in
Illegal Synchronisation manifests in the form of certain overt acts. One has to
appreciate that these factors, as enlisted hereinafter, in the very nature of
things cannot be exhaustive, as any one factor may or may not be decisive and
it is from the cumulative effect of these that an inference will have to be
drawn.
Illegal Synchronisation manifests in the form of certain overt acts. One has to
appreciate that these factors, as enlisted hereinafter, in the very nature of
things cannot be exhaustive, as any one factor may or may not be decisive and
it is from the cumulative effect of these that an inference will have to be
drawn.
Connection Inter se Clients / Connection Inte
rse Brokers / Connection Inter se
Clients And Brokers
rse Brokers / Connection Inter se
Clients And Brokers
The fact that certain clients are connected to
each other (“Connected Clients”) can be established by pointing out the presence
of certain circumstances. Such circumstances include:
each other (“Connected Clients”) can be established by pointing out the presence
of certain circumstances. Such circumstances include:
(a) the
existence of a personal relationship, either by blood or otherwise, between or
amongst clients;
existence of a personal relationship, either by blood or otherwise, between or
amongst clients;
(b) one
person arranging flow of funds[9]
in favour of another person without there being any legal obligation to do the
same;
person arranging flow of funds[9]
in favour of another person without there being any legal obligation to do the
same;
(c) various
companies operating from a common address;[10]
companies operating from a common address;[10]
(d) relationship
shared between or amongst companies, such as the kind shared between or amongst
associate companies;[11] and
shared between or amongst companies, such as the kind shared between or amongst
associate companies;[11] and
(e) when
various corporate or non corporate bodies have the same individual holding such
a position which empowers the position holder to have an authoritative say on
matters which can aid in the execution of Illegal Synchronisation.[12]
various corporate or non corporate bodies have the same individual holding such
a position which empowers the position holder to have an authoritative say on
matters which can aid in the execution of Illegal Synchronisation.[12]
One such position is that of a director which is
held by an individual.[13] An individual can be a
director on the board of various companies (“Common Director”).[14] However, merely being a Common
Director is not sufficient to draw the conclusion that certain companies are
Connected Clients.[15]
Therefore, necessarily aid of other attending circumstances is required. These
attending circumstances include inability of such companies to present their
case in the absence of such Common Director when called upon to do so by a Competent
Forum and or testimony of witnesses which goes to show that the Common Director
was the one who would give instructions to brokers, on behalf of companies, for
execution of trades which are subsequently being alleged to have contravened
the Act & Regulations.
held by an individual.[13] An individual can be a
director on the board of various companies (“Common Director”).[14] However, merely being a Common
Director is not sufficient to draw the conclusion that certain companies are
Connected Clients.[15]
Therefore, necessarily aid of other attending circumstances is required. These
attending circumstances include inability of such companies to present their
case in the absence of such Common Director when called upon to do so by a Competent
Forum and or testimony of witnesses which goes to show that the Common Director
was the one who would give instructions to brokers, on behalf of companies, for
execution of trades which are subsequently being alleged to have contravened
the Act & Regulations.
The connection between or amongst brokers (“Connected
Brokers”) can be established by applying the same principles with which
Connected Clients are identified. Additionally, Connected Brokers can be
identified, when brokers constituting Connected Brokers, either individually or
in concert, are the only common thread running through various trades which
have taken place between or amongst clients constituting Connected Clients,[16]
such as being the major counter party broker with respect to orders placed by a
broker or brokers belonging to the same group of Connected Brokers.[17]
Brokers”) can be established by applying the same principles with which
Connected Clients are identified. Additionally, Connected Brokers can be
identified, when brokers constituting Connected Brokers, either individually or
in concert, are the only common thread running through various trades which
have taken place between or amongst clients constituting Connected Clients,[16]
such as being the major counter party broker with respect to orders placed by a
broker or brokers belonging to the same group of Connected Brokers.[17]
The connection between Connected Brokers and Connected
Clients can be established by demonstrating that trades on behalf of Connected
Clients were executed by Connected Brokers and both the party and counter party
with respect to the trades in question happen to be those clients and brokers who
/ which are constituents of the Connected Clients and Connected Brokers. Further,
there could also be a connection / relation between brokers and clients
belonging to the opposite sides of a trade. The principles with respect to
identifying Connected Clients / Connected Brokers, as provided for hereinabove,
can be applied similarly.
Clients can be established by demonstrating that trades on behalf of Connected
Clients were executed by Connected Brokers and both the party and counter party
with respect to the trades in question happen to be those clients and brokers who
/ which are constituents of the Connected Clients and Connected Brokers. Further,
there could also be a connection / relation between brokers and clients
belonging to the opposite sides of a trade. The principles with respect to
identifying Connected Clients / Connected Brokers, as provided for hereinabove,
can be applied similarly.
There are two propositions of law common to all the
aforementioned connections. Firstly, Competent Forums, for the purpose of
concluding presence or absence of the aforementioned connections, lift the corporate
veil,[18] if circumstances so merit.[19]
Secondly, once any or all of the aforementioned connections are established,
then on noticing matching of such trades day after day and trade after trade,
one can safely infer that the matching is happening not by the trading system
but by manipulation.[20]
aforementioned connections. Firstly, Competent Forums, for the purpose of
concluding presence or absence of the aforementioned connections, lift the corporate
veil,[18] if circumstances so merit.[19]
Secondly, once any or all of the aforementioned connections are established,
then on noticing matching of such trades day after day and trade after trade,
one can safely infer that the matching is happening not by the trading system
but by manipulation.[20]
Price, Quantity And Time Test
Price, Quantity and Time test (“PQT Test”)
is used to identify wash trades,[21] which lead to Illegal
Synchronisation. These are trades between connected or related parties wherein
sale and purchase of securities are matched with each other in terms of price,
quantity and time. The said test becomes reliable if the time difference
between buy and sell orders is either negligible or of a few seconds only.[22]
This is especially so when the shares of the company are highly liquid at the
time of trades, then PQT matching will exceptionally take place in the absence
of any specific understanding / arrangement between the parties. Similarly, in
a situation of high volatility, wherein prices of the shares can change
dramatically over a short period in either direction, it is extremely improbable
that the client could be in a position to give a price range which would match
only with a particular counter party broker at a particular quantity.[23]
Higher the rate of recurrence of such matching of trades amongst same set of
Connected Clients through Connected Brokers on either side of the trade, lesser
the chances of it being a mere coincidence and greater the inevitability of a
pre planned device.[24]
is used to identify wash trades,[21] which lead to Illegal
Synchronisation. These are trades between connected or related parties wherein
sale and purchase of securities are matched with each other in terms of price,
quantity and time. The said test becomes reliable if the time difference
between buy and sell orders is either negligible or of a few seconds only.[22]
This is especially so when the shares of the company are highly liquid at the
time of trades, then PQT matching will exceptionally take place in the absence
of any specific understanding / arrangement between the parties. Similarly, in
a situation of high volatility, wherein prices of the shares can change
dramatically over a short period in either direction, it is extremely improbable
that the client could be in a position to give a price range which would match
only with a particular counter party broker at a particular quantity.[23]
Higher the rate of recurrence of such matching of trades amongst same set of
Connected Clients through Connected Brokers on either side of the trade, lesser
the chances of it being a mere coincidence and greater the inevitability of a
pre planned device.[24]
No Change In Beneficial Ownership
A beneficial owner is a natural person or
persons who ultimately owns, controls or influences a client and or persons on
whose behalf a transaction is being conducted. It also incorporates those
persons who exercise ultimate effective control over a legal person or
arrangement.[25]
When on the execution of a trade there is no change in the beneficial
ownership, it is called a self-trade. A self-trade occurs when one person buys
and sells shares from himself. Such trades are frowned upon as they are
fictitious, and meant to operate as a device to inflate, depress, or cause
fluctuations in the market price of securities.[26]
persons who ultimately owns, controls or influences a client and or persons on
whose behalf a transaction is being conducted. It also incorporates those
persons who exercise ultimate effective control over a legal person or
arrangement.[25]
When on the execution of a trade there is no change in the beneficial
ownership, it is called a self-trade. A self-trade occurs when one person buys
and sells shares from himself. Such trades are frowned upon as they are
fictitious, and meant to operate as a device to inflate, depress, or cause
fluctuations in the market price of securities.[26]
Large Trading Concentration In A Scrip
The expression ‘concentration’ in the realm of
the Act & Regulations means one’s share in the execution of trades with
respect to a particular scrip or various scrips. For Illegal Synchronisation to
be successfully carried out, the Alleged Contravener has to be in a position which
enables one to drive up, deflate or cause sudden rise and fall in the market
price of the scrips listed on the stock exchange.[27] The said position of
influence cannot be reached by market players and or intermediaries by
executing miniscule trades when compared to the total trades executed with
respect to the said scrip.
the Act & Regulations means one’s share in the execution of trades with
respect to a particular scrip or various scrips. For Illegal Synchronisation to
be successfully carried out, the Alleged Contravener has to be in a position which
enables one to drive up, deflate or cause sudden rise and fall in the market
price of the scrips listed on the stock exchange.[27] The said position of
influence cannot be reached by market players and or intermediaries by
executing miniscule trades when compared to the total trades executed with
respect to the said scrip.
Substantial Unwinding Of Long Positions, Short
Sale Positions
Sale Positions
Taking a long position in a scrip means the
buying of a security to hold onto the same as the owner of scrip has the
expectation that the said asset will rise in value.[28] Short Selling means
selling of a stock that the seller does not own at the time of trade[29] by complying with the conditions
laid down by SEBI in this regard.[30] Unwinding refers to undo
or to go back on a previous action or conduct. Unwinding of long positions
refers to the owner of scrips deciding not to hold onto the scrip or to hold
for a time period which is lesser than the one initially thought. The said
action of unwinding long positions and or short selling is not per se illegal until and unless it can
be demonstrated that the aforesaid transactions, were carried out with the
intention to carry out Illegal Synchronisation[31] such as artificially
putting sale pressure on the scrip to cause a downfall in the price of the
scrip.
buying of a security to hold onto the same as the owner of scrip has the
expectation that the said asset will rise in value.[28] Short Selling means
selling of a stock that the seller does not own at the time of trade[29] by complying with the conditions
laid down by SEBI in this regard.[30] Unwinding refers to undo
or to go back on a previous action or conduct. Unwinding of long positions
refers to the owner of scrips deciding not to hold onto the scrip or to hold
for a time period which is lesser than the one initially thought. The said
action of unwinding long positions and or short selling is not per se illegal until and unless it can
be demonstrated that the aforesaid transactions, were carried out with the
intention to carry out Illegal Synchronisation[31] such as artificially
putting sale pressure on the scrip to cause a downfall in the price of the
scrip.
Lack Of Business Prudence
The expression ‘business’ refers to a commercial
enterprise carried on for profit.[32] The expression prudence
refers to ‘being circumspect or judicious in one’s dealings.[33] Therefore business and prudence read together
means such behavior that will exhibit caution while conducting business.
Therefore, intention to undertake Illegal Synchronisation can be ascribed to
Alleged Contraveners when they are found indulging in acts such as heavily
buying a scrip which has weak fundamentals[34] or is otherwise an
illiquid scrip[35]
or placing of buy orders at incremental prices i.e. at prices higher than previous
day’s closing prices[36].
In order to establish lack of business prudence with respect to trades being
undertaken, comparison can be drawn with the price movement of certain scrips
of certain companies. The said companies being used as comparables should be similarly
placed inter alia in terms of size.[37]
enterprise carried on for profit.[32] The expression prudence
refers to ‘being circumspect or judicious in one’s dealings.[33] Therefore business and prudence read together
means such behavior that will exhibit caution while conducting business.
Therefore, intention to undertake Illegal Synchronisation can be ascribed to
Alleged Contraveners when they are found indulging in acts such as heavily
buying a scrip which has weak fundamentals[34] or is otherwise an
illiquid scrip[35]
or placing of buy orders at incremental prices i.e. at prices higher than previous
day’s closing prices[36].
In order to establish lack of business prudence with respect to trades being
undertaken, comparison can be drawn with the price movement of certain scrips
of certain companies. The said companies being used as comparables should be similarly
placed inter alia in terms of size.[37]
Violation Of Code Of Conduct For Stock Brokers
A stock broker is expected to carry out
execution of trades as per the instructions of the client. While implementing
the said instructions, the broker has to conduct his business in compliance
with the Broker Regulations. The said regulations require the broker to maintain
integrity, exercise due skill and care, not indulge in manipulative, fraudulent
or deceptive transactions, not undertake malpractices such as creating false
market or contravening statutory requirements as specified in Broker
Regulations. The said checks on the conduct of a broker are put in place to
prevent a situation from arising wherein a market intermediary itself gets
embroiled in contravening the Act & Regulations by becoming a party to the
mischief of Illegal Synchronisation.
execution of trades as per the instructions of the client. While implementing
the said instructions, the broker has to conduct his business in compliance
with the Broker Regulations. The said regulations require the broker to maintain
integrity, exercise due skill and care, not indulge in manipulative, fraudulent
or deceptive transactions, not undertake malpractices such as creating false
market or contravening statutory requirements as specified in Broker
Regulations. The said checks on the conduct of a broker are put in place to
prevent a situation from arising wherein a market intermediary itself gets
embroiled in contravening the Act & Regulations by becoming a party to the
mischief of Illegal Synchronisation.
[To be
continued in Part 2, which will deal with Defences and then conclude]
continued in Part 2, which will deal with Defences and then conclude]
– Kanwardeep
Singh Kapany & Mitravinda Chunduru
Singh Kapany & Mitravinda Chunduru
[1] Trading System in NSE, available at: http://www.nseindia.com/products/content/debt/wdm/trading_system.htm (visited on February 18, 2015); Trading
and Settlement in BSE, available at: http://www.bseindia.com/markets/debt/tradingandsettlement.aspx?expandable=2 (visited on February 18, 2015).
and Settlement in BSE, available at: http://www.bseindia.com/markets/debt/tradingandsettlement.aspx?expandable=2 (visited on February 18, 2015).
[2] Section 15-HA.
[3] Regulations 3 & 4.
[4] Schedule II clause A.
[5] Broker Regulations, schedule II.
[6] Ajmera
Associates Limited v. SEBI,
MANU/SB/0044/2010.
Associates Limited v. SEBI,
MANU/SB/0044/2010.
[7] SEBI Circular on Negotiated Deals,
SMDRP/POLICY/CIR-32/99, (September 14, 1999).
SMDRP/POLICY/CIR-32/99, (September 14, 1999).
[8] Grishma
Securities Private Limited and Others v.
SEBI, MANU/SB/0060/2013.
Securities Private Limited and Others v.
SEBI, MANU/SB/0060/2013.
[9] SEBI
v. Dresdner Kleinwort Benson
Securities (India) Ltd., MANU/SB/0087/2004.
v. Dresdner Kleinwort Benson
Securities (India) Ltd., MANU/SB/0087/2004.
[10] Ketan
Parekh v. SEBI, MANU/SB/0229/2006.
Parekh v. SEBI, MANU/SB/0229/2006.
[11] SEBI
v. Accord Capital Markets Limited,
MANU/SB/0136/2007.
v. Accord Capital Markets Limited,
MANU/SB/0136/2007.
[12] SEBI
v. Krishvi Securities Private Limited,
WTM/RKA/IVD/ID-4/ 26/2013.
v. Krishvi Securities Private Limited,
WTM/RKA/IVD/ID-4/ 26/2013.
[13] The Companies Act, 2013, section 149(1).
[14] The Companies Act, 2013, section 165.
[15] Ketan
Parekh v. SEBI, MANU/SB/0229/2006.
Parekh v. SEBI, MANU/SB/0229/2006.
[16] SEBI
v. Krishvi Securities Private Limited,
WTM/RKA/IVD/ID-4/ 26/2013.
v. Krishvi Securities Private Limited,
WTM/RKA/IVD/ID-4/ 26/2013.
[17] SEBI
v. Krishvi Securities Private Limited,
WTM/RKA/IVD/ID-4/ 26/2013.
v. Krishvi Securities Private Limited,
WTM/RKA/IVD/ID-4/ 26/2013.
[18] Ketan
Parekh v. SEBI, MANU/SB/0229/2006.
Parekh v. SEBI, MANU/SB/0229/2006.
[19] Delhi
Development Authority v. Skipper
Construction Company Private Limited, AIR 1996 SC 2005.
Development Authority v. Skipper
Construction Company Private Limited, AIR 1996 SC 2005.
[20] Sebi
v. A Nitin Capital Services Limited,
MANU/SB/0101/2007.
v. A Nitin Capital Services Limited,
MANU/SB/0101/2007.
[21] Nirmal
Bang Securities Private Limited v. SEBI,
MANU/SB/0206/2003.
Bang Securities Private Limited v. SEBI,
MANU/SB/0206/2003.
[22] SEBI
v. Biyani Securities Private Limited and
Shri Harish Biyani, MANU/SB/0023/2005.
v. Biyani Securities Private Limited and
Shri Harish Biyani, MANU/SB/0023/2005.
[23] SEBI
v. Accord Capital Markets Limited,
MANU/SB/0136/2007.
v. Accord Capital Markets Limited,
MANU/SB/0136/2007.
[24] Angel
Broking Private Limited v. SEBI, MANU/SB/0058/2013.
Broking Private Limited v. SEBI, MANU/SB/0058/2013.
[25] SEBI Master Circular on Anti Money
Laundering Standards / Combating the Financing of Terrorism / Obligations of
Securities Market Intermediaries under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act,
2002 and Rules framed thereunder, available
at: http://www.sebi.gov.in/circulars/2010/cirisdaml2010.pdf (visited on February 19, 2015).
Laundering Standards / Combating the Financing of Terrorism / Obligations of
Securities Market Intermediaries under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act,
2002 and Rules framed thereunder, available
at: http://www.sebi.gov.in/circulars/2010/cirisdaml2010.pdf (visited on February 19, 2015).
[26] SEBI
v. Pravin V Shah Stock Broking Private Limited,
MANU/SB/0140/2007.
v. Pravin V Shah Stock Broking Private Limited,
MANU/SB/0140/2007.
[27] In
Re: GHCL Ltd., MANU/SB/0090/2007.
Re: GHCL Ltd., MANU/SB/0090/2007.
[28] SEBI
v. First Global Stock Broking Private Limited
and Vrudhi Confinvest (I) Private Limited, MANU/SB/0122/2002.
v. First Global Stock Broking Private Limited
and Vrudhi Confinvest (I) Private Limited, MANU/SB/0122/2002.
[29] FAQ’s on Secondary Market, available at: http://www.sebi.gov.in/faq/smdfaq.html
(Last Modified February 28, 2009), FAQ no. 37.
(Last Modified February 28, 2009), FAQ no. 37.
[30] Securities Lending Scheme, 1997.
[31] SEBI
v. First Global Stock Broking Private Limited
and Vrudhi Confinvest (I) Private Limited, MANU/SB/0122/2002.
v. First Global Stock Broking Private Limited
and Vrudhi Confinvest (I) Private Limited, MANU/SB/0122/2002.
[32] Bryan A garner (ed.), Black’s Law
Dictionary, p.no. 211 (8th edition).
Dictionary, p.no. 211 (8th edition).
[33] Bryan A garner (ed.), Black’s Law
Dictionary, p.no. 211 (8th edition), page 1236.
Dictionary, p.no. 211 (8th edition), page 1236.
[34] In
Re: Sawaca Business Machines Limited; SEBI
v. Rajesh N. Jhaveri,
MANU/SB/0302/2004.
Re: Sawaca Business Machines Limited; SEBI
v. Rajesh N. Jhaveri,
MANU/SB/0302/2004.
[35] In
Re: Orient Trade Link Limited; In Re:
M/s MLD Securities Private Limited, MANU/SB/0082/2012.
Re: Orient Trade Link Limited; In Re:
M/s MLD Securities Private Limited, MANU/SB/0082/2012.
[36] JHP
Securities Private Limited v. SEBI,
MANU/SB/0069/2014.
Securities Private Limited v. SEBI,
MANU/SB/0069/2014.
[37] Ketan
Parekh v. SEBI, MANU/SB/0229/2006.
Parekh v. SEBI, MANU/SB/0229/2006.
Sporadic (to provoke useful thoughts)
“Synchronised Trading: In Sync With the Law?”
At best, a good academic study !
On the first blush,however,the discussion, as read and understood, prima facie, provides no clue or ways and means to find any satisfactory answer to the poser, or any solution to the varying kinds of attendant, nay unavoidable irregularities and illegalities the so called “synchronised trading” is potent with; notwithstanding the numerous regulatory measures conceived of , changed from time to time, and being experimented to keep those under ‘control’,- though not capable of being eradicated. Personally, one thinks, in the very nature of things, the mechanism of “Synchronised Trading” is basically ill conceived and faulty ; if so, to expect or aspire, with the objective of bringing/bending it , howsoever hardly attempted, to be “In Sync With the Law”, is well nigh an impossible /impractical proposition, -a nonstarter.
Further, what “the law” under reference refers to is far from being clear; rather does not seem to have or even amenable to have a clear cut and well defined meaning, to begin with. To put it differently, given the mindset of individuals/ groups active in the bourse, with the sole aim of making speculative gains, it is incomprehensible that there could be any set of ‘rules’ laid down so as to accomplish the underlying objective of ‘disciplining’ them, even remotely.
Still, the ‘trading’ has to compulsively go on!
Dear vswami sir,
Thank you very much for your comment.
The answer to the poser, i.e. whether synchronised trading can be in sync with law has been answered in express words in the post. The answer has been provided by classifying synchronised trading into "Legal Synchronisation" & "Illegal Synchronisation". In other words synchronised trading can be both legal and illegal, the distinction depending upon the attendant circumstances which have been dealt with in the post.
Therefore, it will not be nigh or impossible/impractical to submit that on certain occasions synchronised trading can very well be in sync with the law.
I had occasion to conduct an arbitration before a Rtd. Sup Ct Judge on this issue. In that case the Pledgor of shares fearing action from a Pledgee in disposing off the shares approached a Civil Court and got an injunctive relief from sale. Pledgee upon getting notice of the same, colluded with the broker and got the pledged shares sold in a synchronised deal … and feigned ignorance of the injunction order. The parties agreed for arbitration and in the arbitration we established that the sale was mala fide and a synchronised one to defeat the Pledgor's rights. Arbitrator awarded a very handsome compensation after concluding that the sale was really an orchastrated one.