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Order against M/s. Amratlal Gopalji Thacker, Broker, Calcutta Stock Exchange Association Limited

Sep 08, 2006
|
Orders : Orders of Chairman/Members

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE BOARD OF INDIA 

ORDER

UNDER REGULATION 13(4) OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE BOARD OF INDIA (PROCEDURE FOR HOLDING ENQUIRY BY ENQUIRY OFFICER AND IMPOSING PENALTY) REGULATIONS, 2002 IN THE MATTER OF M/S. AMRATLAL GOPALJI THACKER, BROKER, CALCUTTA STOCK EXCHANGE ASSOCIATION LTD. (SEBI REGN. NO.INB 030785313).

 

 WTM/GA/86/ISD/08/06

1.0 BACKGROUND

 

1.1 Amratlal Gopalji Thacker (hereinafter referred to as the Broker) is a member of Calcutta Stock Exchange Association Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as CSE) and registered with Securities Exchange Board of India (hereinafter referred to as SEBI) under section 12 of Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992 ( hereinafter referred to as the Act)  having registration No.INB030785313.

 

1.2 SEBI conducted an Investigation into the buying, selling and dealings in the scrip of DSQ Industries Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as DSQ), which    is  stated to be a group concern of Shri Dinesh Dalmia, main promoter of DSQ Software. The shares of DSQ are listed on CSE. The investigation conducted by SEBI in the scrip of DSQ revealed that during the period January 01, 2001 to January 08, 2001 (hereinafter referred to as the relevant period), substantial trades were executed between the Broker and another member of CSE, namely, Shri Harish Chandra Biyani . The price of the scrip of DSQ reached from Rs.360/- to Rs. 452/- within 4 days of the said trading and that the aforesaid brokers placed the orders almost at the same time.

 

1.3 The total volume at CSE in the scrip of DSQ during the above period vis-à-vis the volume of the Broker with the price range is given below :

 

Date

V0lume at CSE

Volume of Broker

Open

High

Low

Close

01/01/2001 

2000

800

342.00

363.80

342.00

363.80

02/01/2001

2000

2000

366.00

390.80

366.00

390.60

04/01/2001

3000

3000

395.00

419.80

392.50

419.80

08/01/2001

222000

1900

424.40

451.20

424.40

451.20

 

1.4 The trades executed by the Broker with Shri Harish Chandra Biyani in the scrip of DSQ at CSE on January 01, 2001, as per the trade log is given below:

Trade time

Trade id

order id

Rate

Order time

Time diff between B/S order

b/s

mem

Mem

qty

ord. rate

12:09:53

886

61014459

360

12:09:51

****

SELL

35

805

100

360

12:09:53

886

150958941

360

12:09:52

0:00:01

BUY

805

35

100

360

12:10:09

887

61014461

360.8

12:10:08

****

BUY

35

805

100

360.8

12:10:09

887

150958945

360.8

12.10.03

0.00.05

SELL

805

35

100

360.8

12:10:42

888

61014464

361.2

12:10:41

****

BUY

35

805

100

361.2

12:10:42

888

150958959

361.2

12:10:34

0:00:07

SELL

805

35

100

361.2

12:10:59

889

61014466

361.9

12:10:58

****

SELL

35

805

100

361.9

12:10:59

889

150958966

361.9

12:10:52

0:00:06

BUY

805

35

100

361.9

12:11:29

890

61014469

361.6

12:11:17

****

SELL

35

805

100

361.6

12:11:29

890

150958978

361.6

12:11:29

0:00:12

BUY

805

35

100

361.6

12:11:51

891

61014474

362.4

12:11:50

****

BUY

35

805

100

362.4

12:11:51

891

150958980

362.4

12:11:43

0:00:07

SELL

805

35

100

362.4

12:12:12

892

61014479

362.1

12:12:12

****

SELL

35

805

100

362.1

12:12:12

892

150958987

362.1

12:12:10

0:00:02

BUY

805

35

100

362.1

12:12:30

893

61014483

363.3

12:12:29

****

BUY

35

805

100

363.3

12:12:30

893

150958990

363.3

12:12:25

0:00:04

SELL

805

35

100

363.3

 

1.5         The trades executed by the Broker with Shri Harish Chandra Biyani in the scrip of DSQ at CSE on January 02, 2001 , as per the trade log is given below

 

Trade time

Trade id

order id

Rate

Order time

Time diff between B/S order

b/s

mem

Mem

qty

ord. rate

14:52:28

896

210595213

366

14:52:26

****

SELL

35

805

100

366

14:52:28

896

180721378

366

14:52:17

0:00:09

BUY

805

35

100

366

14:52:49

897

210595221

368.7

14:52:48

****

BUY

35

805

100

368.7

14:52:49

897

90957919

368.7

14:52:39

0:00:09

SELL

805

35

100

368.7

14:53:17

898

210595226

370.8

14:53:15

****

BUY

35

805

100

370.8

14:53:17

898

180721395

370.8

14:53:06

0:00:09

SELL

805

35

100

370.8

14:53:39

899

210595231

373

14:53:38

****

BUY

35

805

100

373

14:53:39

899

180721404

373

14:53:30

0:00:08

SELL

805

35

100

373

14:54:08

900

210595234

375.6

14:54:07

****

SELL

35

805

100

375.6

14:54:08

900

180721412

375.6

14:54:00

0:00:07

BUY

805

35

100

375.6

14:54:35

901

210595243

377.8

14:54:34

****

SELL

35

805

100

377.8

14:54:35

901

180721418

377.8

14:54:16

0:00:18

BUY

805

35

100

377.8

14:55:02

902

210595253

379.6

14:55:02

****

SELL

35

805

100

379.6

14:55:02

902

180721426

379.6

14:54:51

0:00:11

BUY

805

35

100

379.6

14:55:36

903

210595258

381.1

14:55:33

****

SELL

35

805

100

381.1

14:55:36

903

180721434

381.1

14:55:24

0:00:09

BUY

805

35

100

381.1

14:55:54

904

210595262

382.9

14:55:53

****

BUY

35

805

100

382.9

14:55:54

904

180721438

382.9

14:55:43

0:00:10

SELL

805

35

100

382.9

14:56:07

905

210595265

384.6

14:56:06

****

BUY

35

805

100

384.6

14:56:07

905

180721440

384.6

14:55:57

0:00:09

SELL

805

35

100

384.6

14:56:20

906

210595267

386.7

14:56:18

****

BUY

35

805

100

386.7

14:56:20

906

180721445

386.7

14:56:11

0:00:07

SELL

805

35

100

386.7

14:56:29

907

210595271

388.5

14:56:28

****

BUY

35

805

100

388.5

14:56:29

907

180721449

388.5

14:56:22

0:00:06

SELL

805

35

100

388.5

14:56:44

908

210595275

389.8

14:56:42

****

BUY

35

805

100

389.8

14:56:44

908

180721453

389.8

14:56:33

0:00:09

SELL

805

35

100

389.8

14:57:27

909

210595289

387

14:57:26

****

SELL

35

805

200

387

14:57:27

909

180721464

387

14:57:19

0:00:07

BUY

805

35

200

387

14:57:50

910

210595295

390.2

14:57:50

****

SELL

35

805

100

390.2

14:57:50

910

90957990

390.2

14:57:42

0:00:08

BUY

805

35

100

390.2

14:58:20

911

210595304

389.1

14:58:18

****

SELL

35

805

100

389.1

14:58:20

911

180721480

389.1

14:58:07

0:00:11

BUY

805

35

100

389.1

14:58:34

912

210595309

390.1

14:58:32

****

SELL

35

805

100

390.1

14:58:34

912

180721486

390.1

14:58:25

0:00:07

BUY

805

35

100

390.1

14:58:51

913

210595315

390.8

14:58:49

****

BUY

35

805

100

390.8

14:58:51

913

180721490

390.8

14:58:40

0:00:09

SELL

805

35

100

390.8

14:59:18

914

31147583

390.6

14:59:17

****

BUY

35

805

100

390.6

14:59:18

914

90958020

390.6

14:59:09

0:00:08

SELL

805

35

100

390.6

 

 

1.6 The trades executed by the Broker with Shri Harish Chandra Biyani in the scrip of DSQ at CSE on January 04, 2001 , as per the trade log is given below:

Trade time

Trade  id

order id

Rate

Order time

Time diff between B/S order

b/s

mem

Mem

qty

ord. rate

13:10:23

915

61026497

392.5

13:10:22

****

Sell

35

805

100

395

13:10:23

915

180728792

395

13:10:20

0:00:02

Buy

805

35

100

395

13:10:31

916

61026500

392.5

13:10:30

****

Sell

35

805

100

392.5

13:10:31

916

180728790

392.5

13:10:12

0:00:18

Buy

805

35

100

392.5

13:10:45

917

61026501

397.6

13:10:44

****

Sell

35

805

100

397.6

13:10:45

917

180728795

397.6

13:10:35

0:00:09

Buy

805

35

100

397.6

13:10:57

918

61026503

399.9

13:10:56

****

Sell

35

805

100

399.9

13:10:57

918

180728796

399.9

13:10:49

0:00:07

Buy

805

35

100

399.9

13:11:18

919

61026505

402.4

13:11:17

****

Buy

35

805

100

402.4

13:11:18

919

180728798

402.4

13:11:08

0:00:09

Sell

805

35

100

402.4

13:11:38

920

61026510

405.3

13:11:36

****

Buy

35

805

200

405.3

13:11:38

920

180728802

405.3

13:11:23

0:00:13

Sell

805

35

200

405.3

13:15:49

921

61026540

406.4

13:15:47

****

Buy

35

805

100

406.4

13:15:49

921

180728835

406.4

13:15:30

0:00:17

Sell

805

35

100

406.4

13:16:09

922

61026543

407.5

13:16:08

****

Buy

35

805

100

407.5

13:16:09

922

180728839

407.5

13:15:59

0:00:09

Sell

805

35

100

407.5

13:16:21

923

61026544

408.5

13:16:20

****

Buy

35

805

100

408.5

13:16:21

923

180728840

408.5

13:16:11

0:00:09

Sell

805

35

100

408.5

13:16:33

924

61026545

409.9

13:16:32

****

Buy

35

805

100

409.9

13:16:33

924

180728841

409.9

13:16:23

0:00:09

Sell

805

35

100

409.9

13:16:43

925

61026547

410.8

13:16:42

****

Buy

35

805

100

410.8

13:16:43

925

180728843

410.8

13:16:35

0:00:07

Sell

805

35

100

410.8

13:17:00

926

61026549

411.5

13:16:59

****

Sell

35

805

100

411.5

13:17:00

926

180728845

411.5

13:16:51

0:00:08

Buy

805

35

100

411.5

13:17:13

927

61026551

412.4

13:17:12

****

Sell

35

805

100

412.4

13:17:13

927

180728848

412.4

13:17:02

0:00:10

Buy

805

35

100

412.4

13:17:38

928

61026556

413.8

13:17:37

****

Sell

35

805

100

413.8

13:17:38

928

180728854

413.8

13:17:27

0:00:10

Buy

805

35

100

413.8

13:18:03

929

61026558

416.1

13:18:01

****

Sell

35

805

100

416.1

13:18:03

929

180728857

416.1

13:17:51

0:00:10

Buy

805

35

100

416.1

13:18:33

930

61026563

416.4

13:18:32

****

Buy

35

805

500

416.4

13:18:33

930

180728866

416.4

13:18:22

0:00:10

Sell

805

35

500

416.4

13:18:53

931

61026572

417.5

13:18:52

****

Sell

35

805

300

417.5

13:18:53

931

180728870

417.5

13:18:43

0:00:09

Buy

805

35

300

417.5

13:19:08

932

61026574

418.5

13:19:06

****

Sell

35

805

100

418.5

13:19:08

932

180728874

418.5

13:18:56

0:00:10

Buy

805

35

100

418.5

13:19:29

933

61026580

419.6

13:19:28

****

Sell

35

805

100

419.6

13:19:29

933

180728880

419.6

13:19:20

0:00:08

Buy

805

35

100

419.6

13:20:01

934

61026583

417.5

13:19:59

****

Buy

35

805

200

417.5

13:20:01

934

180728885

417.5

13:19:53

0:00:06

Sell

805

35

200

417.5

13:20:21

935

61026587

419.5

13:20:20

****

Sell

35

805

100

419.5

13:20:21

935

180728892

419.5

13:20:11

0:00:09

Buy

805

35

100

419.5

13:20:32

936

61026588

419.8

13:20:31

****

Sell

35

805

100

419.8

13:20:32

936

180728900

419.8

13:20:23

0:00:08

Buy

805

35

100

419.8

 

 

1.7  The trades executed by the Broker with Shri Harish Chandra Biyani in the scrip of DSQ at CSE on January 08, 2001 , as per the trade log is given below:

 

Trade time

Trade id

order id

Rate

Order time

Time diff between B/S order

b/s

mem

Mem

qty

ord. rate

12:43:48

937

61030594

424.4

12:43:47

****

SELL

35

805

100

424.4

12:43:48

937

180732375

424.4

12:43:37

0:00:10

BUY

805

35

100

424.4

12:44:03

938

61030596

427.8

12:44:02

****

BUY

35

805

100

427.8

12:44:03

938

180732379

427.8

12:43:54

0:00:08

SELL

805

35

100

427.8

12:44:25

939

61030598

430.4

12:44:24

****

SELL

35

805

100

430.4

12:44:25

939

180732380

430.4

12:44:12

0:00:12

BUY

805

35

100

430.4

12:44:43

940

61030599

432.8

12:44:42

****

BUY

35

805

100

432.8

12:44:43

940

180732383

432.8

12:44:33

0:00:09

SELL

805

35

100

432.8

12:44:59

941

61030601

435.6

12:44:58

****

SELL

35

805

100

435.6

12:44:59

941

180732384

435.6

12:44:49

0:00:09

BUY

805

35

100

435.6

12:45:12

942

61030602

438.2

12:45:11

****

BUY

35

805

100

438.2

12:45:12

942

180732386

438.2

12:45:00

0:00:11

SELL

805

35

100

438.2

12:45:24

943

61030603

439.9

12:45:22

****

BUY

35

805

100

439.9

12:45:24

943

180732387

439.9

12:45:14

0:00:08

SELL

805

35

100

439.9

12:45:45

944

61030608

443.5

12:45:44

****

BUY

35

805

100

443.5

12:45:45

944

180732390

443.5

12:45:37

0:00:07

SELL

805

35

100

443.5

12:46:04

945

31158351

445.4

12:46:02

****

SELL

35

805

100

445.4

12:46:04

945

180732393

445.4

12:45:54

0:00:08

BUY

805

35

100

445.4

12:46:15

946

61030614

447.7

12:46:15

****

SELL

35

805

100

447.7

12:46:15

946

180732394

447.7

12:46:06

0:00:09

BUY

805

35

100

447.7

12:46:43

947

61030620

448.2

12:46:41

****

SELL

35

805

100

448.2

12:46:43

947

180732397

448.2

12:46:29

0:00:12

BUY

805

35

100

448.2

12:47:05

948

61030627

449.5

12:47:04

****

BUY

35

805

200

449.5

12:47:05

948

180732402

449.5

12:46:51

0:00:13

SELL

805

35

200

449.5

12:47:37

949

61030634

450.2

12:47:37

****

BUY

35

805

100

450.2

12:47:37

949

180732407

450.2

12:47:30

0:00:07

SELL

805

35

100

450.2

12:48:19

950

61030638

446.7

12:48:17

****

BUY

35

805

100

446.7

12:48:19

950

180732408

446.7

12:48:17

0:00:00

SELL

805

35

100

446.7

12:48:36

951

61030643

447.6

12:48:35

****

BUY

35

805

100

447.6

12:48:36

951

180732411

447.6

12:48:29

0:00:06

SELL

805

35

100

447.6

12:48:54

952

61030646

450.6

12:48:53

****

SELL

35

805

100

450.6

12:48:54

952

180732412

450.6

12:48:44

0:00:09

BUY

805

35

100

450.6

12:49:14

953

61030649

450.9

12:49:12

****

SELL

35

805

100

450.9

12:49:14

953

180732415

450.9

12:49:05

0:00:07

BUY

805

35

100

450.9

12:53:45

954

61030688

450

12:53:23

****

BUY

35

35

10000

450

12:53:45

954

61030691

450

12:53:44

0:00:21

SELL

35

35

10000

450

12:53:55

955

61030690

450

12:53:43

****

BUY

35

35

10000

450

12:53:55

955

61030695

450

12:53:54

0:00:11

SELL

35

35

10000

450

12:54:02

956

61030692

450

12:53:50

****

BUY

35

35

10000

450

12:54:02

956

61030699

450

12:54:02

0:00:12

SELL

35

35

10000

450

12:54:13

957

61030697

450

12:53:56

****

BUY

35

35

10000

450

12:54:13

957

61030703

450

12:54:12

0:00:16

SELL

35

35

10000

450

12:54:22

958

61030701

450

12:54:02

****

BUY

35

35

10000

450

12:54:22

958

61030706

450

12:54:20

0:00:18

SELL

35

35

10000

450

12:54:29

959

61030702

450

12:54:09

****

BUY

35

35

10000

450

12:54:29

959

61030708

450

12:54:28

0:00:19

SELL

35

35

10000

450

12:54:36

960

61030704

450

12:54:16

****

BUY

35

35

10000

450

12:54:36

960

61030710

450

12:54:35

0:00:19

SELL

35

35

10000

450

12:54:42

961

31158397

450

12:54:21

****

BUY

35

35

10000

450

12:54:42

961

61030713

450

12:54:41

0:00:20

SELL

35

35

10000

450

12:54:49

962

61030707

450

12:54:27

****

BUY

35

35

10000

450

12:54:49

962

61030716

450

12:54:48

0:00:21

SELL

35

35

10000

450

12:55:00

963

61030709

450

12:54:34

****

BUY

35

35

10000

450

12:55:00

963

61030718

450

12:54:59

0:00:25

SELL

35

35

10000

450

12:55:06

964

61030712

450

12:54:39

****

BUY

35

35

10000

450

12:55:06

964

61030720

450

12:55:06

0:00:27

SELL

35

35

10000

450

12:55:13

965

61030715

450

12:54:45

****

BUY

35

35

10000

450

12:55:13

965

61030722

450

12:55:12

0:00:27

SELL

35

35

10000

450

12:55:19

966

61030717

450

12:54:54

****

BUY

35

35

10000

450

12:55:19

966

61030725

450

12:55:18

0:00:24

SELL

35

35

10000

450

12:55:24

967

61030719

450

12:55:05

****

BUY

35

35

10000

450

12:55:24

967

61030727

450

12:55:23

0:00:18

SELL

35

35

10000

450

12:55:32

968

61030721

450

12:55:11

****

BUY

35

35

10000

450

12:55:32

968

61030728

450

12:55:31

0:00:20

SELL

35

35

10000

450

12:55:38

969

61030724

450

12:55:16

****

BUY

35

35

10000

450

12:55:38

969

61030730

450

12:55:37

0:00:21

SELL

35

35

10000

450

12:55:46

970

61030726

450

12:55:21

****

BUY

35

35

10000

450

12:55:46

970

61030733

450

12:55:44

0:00:23

SELL

35

35

10000

450

12:55:52

971

61030729

450

12:55:35

****

BUY

35

35

10000

450

12:55:52

971

61030735

450

12:55:51

0:00:16

SELL

35

35

10000

450

12:55:58

972

61030732

450

12:55:43

****

BUY

35

35

10000

450

12:55:58

972

61030736

450

12:55:58

0:00:15

SELL

35

35

10000

450

12:56:04

973

61030734

450

12:55:49

****

BUY

35

35

10000

450

12:56:04

973

61030737

450

12:56:03

0:00:14

SELL

35

35

10000

450

12:56:46

974

61030742

450

12:56:38

****

BUY

35

35

10000

450

12:56:46

974

61030744

450

12:56:45

0:00:07

SELL

35

35

10000

450

12:56:50

975

61030743

450

12:56:44

****

BUY

35

35

10000

450

12:56:50

975

61030747

450

12:56:50

0:00:06

SELL

35

35

10000

450

13:09:47

976

31158550

450.9

13:09:46

****

SELL

35

805

100

450.9

13:09:47

976

210606701

450.9

13:09:38

0:00:08

BUY

805

35

100

450.9

13:10:14

977

61030888

451.2

13:10:14

****

SELL

35*

805

100

451.2

13:10:14

977

180732535

451

13:09:46

0:00:28

BUY

805*

35

100

451.2

 

*805-  Broker

35- Shri Harish Chandra Biyani

 

1.8  The investigation conducted by SEBI inter alia observed that the Broker had indulged in price manipulation, creation of artificial market, creation of artificial volumes as a result of the aforesaid synchronized trades/ prior intention to matching orders and price establishment by putting orders at successively  higher prices and thereby violated regulation 4( a), (b) , (c) of SEBI (Prohibition of Fraudulent and Unfair Trade practices Relating to Securities Markets) Regulations, 1995 (hereinafter referred to as FUTP Regulations).

 

2.0 APPOINTMENT OF ENQUIRY OFFICER

 

2.1          On completion of the said investigation, SEBI appointed an Enquiry Officer, vide order dated July 24, 2003 under regulation 5(1) of SEBI (Procedure for Holding Enquiry by Enquiry Officer and Imposing Penalty) Regulations, 2002 (hereinafter referred to as the 2002 Regulations) to enquire into the alleged irregular transactions made by the Broker in the scrip of DSQ.

 

2.2         The Enquiry Officer issued a show cause notice dated November 28, 2003 to the Broker, in terms of the 2002 Regulations. The extracts of facts, findings and allegations arising out of aforesaid said investigation was also enclosed with the said show cause notice. However, the Broker had failed to file any reply before the Enquiry Officer. The Enquiry Officer had subsequently granted an opportunity of hearing to the Broker on January 20, 2004 and on the said date, Shri Prataprai Gopalji Thacker, the elder brother of the Broker ( as authorized by the Broker vide letter dated January 20, 2004) informed the Enquiry Officer in writing that a detailed reply would be filed to the above show cause notice. However, no reply was received by the Enquiry Officer.

 

2.3         The Enquiry Officer submitted his report dated March 31, 2004, in terms of the 2002 Regulations and recommended to impose a penalty of the suspension of the certificate of registration of the Broker for a period of three months. The Enquiry Officer in his report has inter alia observed that the Broker had prior intention to artificially raise the price of the scrip and establish a higher price and that the Broker had violated regulation 4(a), (b), (c) and (d) of the FUTP Regulations.

 

3.0  CONSIDERATION OF ISSUES AND FINDINGS

 

3.1             Based upon the recommendation of the Enquiry Officer, a show cause notice dated April 29, 2004 was issued to the Broker under regulation 13(2) of the 2002 Regulations asking him to show cause as to why the penalty as considered appropriate should not be imposed upon him. A copy of the Enquiry Report was also forwarded to the Broker with the said show cause notice. The said notice was served on the Broker through CSE. As no reply was received from the Broker, SEBI vide letter dated February 15, 2005 had again requested the Broker to file his reply within 7 days of the receipt of the said letter. It was also informed to the Broker that if he failed to file any reply, SEBI would be free to take any action as deemed fit.

 

3.2             The Broker, vide his letter dated February 19, 2005 informed SEBI that, he had received the show cause notice dated April 29, 2004 after the deadline given in the said letter and therefore, he had not given any reply. The Broker further stated that he was not very much accustomed with SEBI guidelines which were violated by him. The Broker further requested SEBI to reduce the ‘minor penalty’ to ‘warning’ and also assured that he would not do the said type of transaction in future.  

 

3.3             I have perused the recommendations of the Enquiry Officer, show cause notice issued by SEBI, the aforesaid reply filed by the Broker and other relevant material available on record. The Broker in his letter dated February 19, 2005 contended that he had received the show cause notice after the deadline and hence could not give any reply to the same. I note that the that time limit for filing the reply , as per the show cause notice was 15 days from the date of receipt of the said  show cause notice and accordingly he had the opportunity to respond , which he did not avail.

 

3.4             The Broker has further stated that he was not very much accustomed to SEBI’s guidelines. This explanation does not absolve the Broker, as a stock broker is expected to be well versed with the Rules, Regulations, Guidelines etc. governing the securities markets framed/ issued by SEBI/ Central Government from time to time. I also hold the view that ignorance of law is no excuse and cannot be taken as defense by anybody.  Such uninformed brokers by their reckless conduct  would put the market in jeopardy.

 

3.5             I further note that the trades executed by the Broker in the scrip of DSQ has not been disputed by him. On the other hand, the Broker has stated that he was not accustomed with SEBI guidelines. I observe that trading in the scrip of DSQ at CSE on January 01, 2001, January 02, 2001, January 04, 2001 and January 08, 2001  (during the relevant period)  was concentrated between the Broker and another member of CSE namely, Shri. Harish Chandra Biyani. I note that the said details had been furnished by the Enquiry Officer to the Broker with his show cause notice dated November 28, 2003. Further the details of the trades executed on January 04, 2001 have been mentioned by the Enquiry Officer as a sample analysis. Out of the above 4 days, the trades executed by the Broker was responsible for the entire volume in the scrip of DSQ at CSE on two days i.e. January 02, 2001 and January 04, 2001 and the same is  evident from the tables shown in para 1.5 and 1.6. Further from table shown in para 1.6, it can be seen that the trades (buy orders) were executed by the Broker within few seconds after the sell order was placed by Shri Harish Chandra Biyani. It is also observed that, immediately, the above buy transaction was reversed by the Broker by placing a sell order at a higher rate within few seconds gap after the buy order was placed by Shri Harish Chandra Biyani. The Enquiry Officer in his report had also stated that this pattern was also observed on other days also.

 

3.6             In the facts and circumstances and the manner in which such transactions were executed in the scrip of DSQ, at successively higher prices, establishes that the Broker indulged in synchronized transactions and circular trading by squaring off the earlier open position with the same counter party broker through whom the earlier open position was created. I also note that, by the aforesaid modus operandi , the Broker had artificially raised the price of the scrip of DSQ from Rs.360/- to Rs.452/- within 4 trading sessions. The artificial volume in the scrip of DSQ during the relevant period between the Broker and Shri Harish Chandra Biyani was created in the scrip of DSQ by way of synchronization of orders.

 

3.7             In terms of regulation 4 of the FUTP Regulations, No person shall -

 

(a) effect, take part in, or enter into, either directly or indirectly, transactions in securities, with the intention of artificially raising or depressing the prices of securities and thereby inducing the sale or purchase of securities by any person;

(b) indulge in any act, which is calculated to create a false or misleading appearance of trading on the securities market;

(c) indulge in any act which results in reflection of prices of securities based on transactions that are not genuine trade transactions;

(d) enter into a purchase or sale of any securities, not intended to effect transfer of beneficial ownership but intended to operate only as a device to inflate, depress, or cause fluctuations in the market price of securities;

3.8 On an examination of the trades executed by the Broker in the scrip of DSQ at CSE, as explained above in detail,  it can be seen that the said trades were not genuine and were made without any intention to effect the transfer of beneficial ownership of securities and further with an object to inflate the price of the scrip of DSQ. It can be seen that the aforesaid trades in the scrip of DSQ at CSE created a false appearance of trading in the said scrip and in this context , I note that  that the majority of the transactions in the said scrip were executed by the Broker during the relevant period. Therefore, the trades executed by the Broker in the scrip of DSQ at CSE can be said to be with an intention of artificially raising the prices of securities and thereby inducing the sale or purchase of securities by unsuspecting investors.  

3.9 I note that the Hon’ble Securities Appellate Tribunal in Appeal No.54 of 2002 – Nirmal Bang Securities Pvt. Ltd v SEBI, had interalia observed as under with regard to synchronized deals

“I find the scrip, quantity and price for these orders had been synchronized by the counter party brokers. Such transactions undoubtedly create an artificial market to mislead the genuine investors. Synchronized trading is violative of all prudential and transparent norms of trading in securities. Synchronized trading on a large scale can create false volumes..”

 

3.10     I note from the trades executed by the Broker on various dates as mentioned above that the quantity and price for these orders had been synchronized by the counter party brokers, which were highly irregular in nature and violative of all prudential and transparent norms of trading in securities and principals of screen based trading where anonymity of the counter party is sought to be maintained. The best price mechanism through trading system of the exchanges would be defeated by these which were executed by the Broker and counter party broker of their respective clients..

 

3.11     In view of the above and in the in the absence of mitigating circumstances, I do not find any merit in the request made by the Broker to reduce the minor penalty to that of a warning. In view of the facts and circumstances and also the fact no justifiable explanation has been received from the Broker with respect to his transactions made in the scrip of DSQ, I am unable to accept his request in respect of the reduction in penalty. The above facts establishes that the Broker has violated regulation 4( a) to (c) of the FUTP Regulations. In the absence of any mitigating factors, I agree with the findings and recommendations of the enquiry officer.

 

4.0  ORDER

 

   In view of the forgoing, I, in exercise of the powers conferred vide regulation 13(4) of (Procedure for Holding Enquiry by Enquiry Officer and Imposing Penalty) Regulations, 2002, hereby impose a minor penalty of suspension on the certificate of registration (granted by SEBI) of M/s. Amratlal Gopalji Thacker, Broker, Calcutta Stock Exchange Association Ltd. for a period of three months in terms of Regulation 13(1) (a) (iv) of the Enquiry Regulations

 

 This order shall come into force on the expiry of 21 days from today.

 

 

Place : Mumbai G ANANTHARAMAN
Date:   September 08, 2006

WHOLE TIME MEMBER

  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE BOARD OFINDIA