- Tuesday, December 24, 2024
The Lokpal has asked the registry to issue notices to the SEBI chief Madhabi Puri Buch as well as the complainant(s) to avail of the opportunity of oral hearing on January 28
By: India Weekly
ANTI-CORRUPTION ombudsman Lokpal has called SEBI chief Madhabi Puri Buch and also complainants, including TMC MP Mahua Moitra, for “oral hearing” next month in connection with alleged impropriety and conflict of interest on the basis of a Hindenburg Research report.
The Lokpal had on November 8 sought Buch’s “explanation” on the complaints filed by Moitra, a Lok Sabha member, and two others.
Buch, the chairperson of capital markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), was asked to submit her response within four weeks.
Hearing the case, the Lokpal said the named RPS (respondent public servant) “has filed her response by way of affidavit sworn on 07.12.2024 in time, raising preliminary issues as well as giving explanation allegation-wise”.
“Further, we deem it appropriate that the RPS as well as the complainants can be given opportunity of oral hearing to clarify their positions,” according to the December 19 order signed by Lokpal chairperson Justice AM Khanwilkar and five other members.
Accordingly, the Lokpal has asked the registry to issue notices to the RPS as well as the complainant(s) to avail of the opportunity of oral hearing on January 28.
In its report, US-based short-seller Hindenburg Research alleged that Buch and her husband had stakes in obscure offshore funds used in the alleged money siphoning scandal involving the Adani Group.
They denied the allegations, saying the short-seller was attacking the capital markets regulator’s credibility and attempting a character assassination.
The Adani Group had also termed Hindenburg Research’s allegations malicious and manipulation of selective public information. (PTI)
