MUMBAI APPEAL NO. 30/2001 In the matter of: B.P. Plc (formerly B.P.Amoco) & Foseco Plc Appellants Vs. Securities & Exchange Board of India Respondent APPEARANCE; Mr.
Atul M Setalvad
Mr.
Shobhan Thakore
Mr.Ramesh
Chandra
Mr.
Goolam Vahanvati
Ms
Rameeza Hakeem
Mr.A.D.Patel
Mr.
Ananta Barua
Mr.
Vinay Chauhan
(Appeal arising out of the order dated 19.5.2001 made by the Chairman, Securities and Exchange Board of India) ORDER B.P. Plc.
(formerly B.P Amoco Plc.) and Foseco Plc, (Appellants 1 and 2 respectively)
are public limited companies incorporated in the United Kingdom. Burmah
Castrol Plc is also a public limited company incorporated in the Unuited
Kingdom. The said Burmah Castrol has several subsidiary companies. Appellant
No.2 is one among them. Appellant No.2 has a subsidiary namely Foseco India
Ltd, which is incorporated in India. The shares of the said Indian company
are listed on the Stock Exchange, Mumbai and permitted for trading on the
National Stock Exchange.
On 14.3.2000 Appellant No.1 issued a press announcement stating that subject to certain pre-conditions being met, it was prepared to make an offer in the United Kingdom for the acquisition of the entire share capital of Burmah Castrol Plc. It was also stated in the announcement that the offer would only be made if the following pre-conditions were satisfied that (i) all applicable waiting periods under the Hart-Scott Rodino Antitrust Improvement Act, 1976 and the regulations thereunder expiring, lapsing or otherwise terminating; and (ii) the European Commission issuing a decision declaring the merger to be compatible with the common market, and that if EEC or the FTC refused to grant the regulatory approvals, the offer would lapse. On receipt of the requisite approvals from the concerned authorities, Appellant No. 1, posted the first formal letter of offer to the shareholders of Burmah Castrol Plc on 8.6.2000. The offer so made was subject to certain conditions which included (i) the condition that the Appellant would be bound by the offer only if valid acceptance was received from not less than 90% of share holders of Burmah Castrol Plc, unless such requirement is waived by the Appellant (the Acceptance Condition) and (ii) no material adverse change having occurred in the business, assets, financial or trading position or profits of any member of the Burmah Castrol Group taking as a whole (the Material Adverse Change Condition). On 7.7.2000, upon receipt of acceptance from more than 50 percent of the share holders of Burmah Castrol Plc, Appellant No.1 waived the Acceptance Condition, the Material Adverse Change Condition and all other conditions and declared the offer wholly unconditional. As a result of the said acquisition of the shares of Burmah Castrol Plc, it became a subsidiary of the Appellant and consequently gained control of all the subsidiaries of Burmah Castrol Plc, including Foseco India Ltd. In that context, on 10.7.2000, Appellant No. 1 approached the Respondent, seeking exemption from the obligation of making a public offer for acquisition of upto 20% of the shares of Castrol India Ltd and Foseco India Ltd as required under the Securities and Exchange of India (Substantial Acquisition of Shares and Takeovers) Regulations, 1997 (the Regulations). The said exemption application was disposed of by the Respondent vide order dated 7.8.2000, by granting exemption subject to certain conditions. These conditions were not acceptable to the Appellant. The Appellant vide its letter dated 6.12.2000 informed the Respondent that it has decided to withdraw the application for exemption from making an offer for a further 20% of the shares of Castrol India and it will take steps to make public offer to the share holders of Castrol (India) Ltd. However it was mentioned in the said letter that the Appellants would be filing a separate application seeking exemption from making offer to the shareholders of Foseco India Ltd. On the same day, i.e. on 6.12.2000 itself the Appellant filed an application for the purpose. Material portion of the said application is extracted below: Exemption from obligation to make the offer: Simultaneous with the offer made by BP Amoco p.l.c., to acquire Burmah Castrol plc, BP Amoco p.l.c., had announced that upon completion of the acquisition of Burmah Castrol plc, BP Amoco p.l.c., would sell off the chemicals business of Burmah Castrol plc, which in India is carried on by Foseco India Ltd., in which Foseco plc owns 58% of the paid-up capital. In pursuance of the aforesaid, BP Amoco p.l.c., has already initiated steps to sell the chemicals business which includes the sale of Foseco plc which holds 58% shareholding in Foseco India Ltd. and hopes to complete the sale by end July 2001.In the event that BP Amoco p.l.c., is not granted an exemption, and if the sale of Foseco plc's shareholding in Foseco India Ltd., is concluded during the offer period, the Purchaser would also be obliged to make an offer which would theoretically result in: (a) two simultaneous open offers at different prices and (b) the non-promoter shareholding in Foseco India Ltd. being reduced to 2% and consequent delisting. In the circumstances, our clients BP Amoco p.l.c., and Foseco plc would submit that the interests of the minority shareholders would be better served if BP Amoco p.l.c., and Foseco plc are granted an exemption so that only one offer for 20% is made by the subsequent Purchaser of the chemicals business which will also ensure that the non-promoter holding is retained at least 22%. We may add that if the exemption is granted - Foseco plc will undertake to make an offer at a price which is the higher of the price at which our clients were required to make the offer and the price based on the average of the weekly high and low of the closing prices for the 26 weeks period preceding the date of sale of shares of Foseco plc. Our clients also undertake that if the sale is not completed by July 7, 2001 (being the date 12 months from the date on which the offer for Burmah Castrol plc became unconditional) Foseco plc will make the offer. A copy
of our letter of date withdrawing our clients exemption application dated
July10, 2000 is enclosed".
The Respondent referred the matter to the Takeover Panel for its view. The panel vide its report dated 14.12.2000 observed as under: 2. The contemplated sale of the chemicals business is hopefully to be completed by end of July 2001 and in the event of non-completion of contemplated sale by 7th July 2001 as stated in the application, Foseco Plc will make the offer. In the
facts and circumstances, no case having been made out, grant of exemption
as sought is not recommended."
Apart from the main contentions raised by the acquirer in its applications, as regards the first of the two issues raised by the acquirer, it is noted that in the case of Rexroth India Ltd (RIL), the Takeover Panel had inter alia stated that since the private investors shareholdings in RIL is only 20.02%, exemption as sought may be granted. I have noted that in all such cases, the percentage of public shareholding is one of the factors considered by the Panel and SEBI for granting exemption. In the present case, the public shareholding is around 42%. Thus the basic facts of both the cases are different. With reference to the second issue, it is stated that the acquirer made a public announcement on March 14, 2000 to acquire 100% equity of BC, which is the indirect holding company of CIL and the target company. Thereafter the acquirer made an application under Regulation 4 of the Regulations seeking exemption from the making of an open offer on account of the indirect acquisition of the control in CIL and the target company, for which it was granted a conditional exemption by SEBI. On December 12, 2000 the acquirer made a public announcement of an open offer for CIL and as regards the Target Company, it submitted a fresh application under Regulation 4 of the Regulations. It is relevant to add here that in the case of CIL, the acquirers sought for July 7, 2000, (the date when the international announcement became unconditional) to be taken as the reference date for the purpose of determination of the offer price as against March 14, 2000 as directed by SBEI, i.e. the date of the international agreement per se, to be taken as the reference date for calculation of the frequency of trades and the offer price. The decision of SEBI was appealed before the Securities Appellate Tribunal and the Hon'ble Tribunal vide its order dated April 24, 2001 has upheld the decision of SEBI. Apart from the contentions made by the acquirer, as per the submissions made by the acquirers, I have also noted that although the acquirers have made the application seeking exemption from the making of an open offer to acquire the shares of the target company, they have already acquired control over the target company and being aware of their obligation to make an offer, as they have already done in the case of CIL, have filed the present application seeking grant of exemption from the making of an offer for the acquisition of the shares of the target company. I have also noted that the present matter flows from the same public announcement dated March 14, 2000 made by the acquirer and in the acquisition of the shares of CIL, for which the acquirers have already made the public announcement as per the Regulations. However in the present matter, the acquirer has acquired control over the Target Company without fulfillment of any of the conditions. In fact as per the Regulations the acquisition in question has taken place on March 14, 2000 thereby triggering this offer. More than a year has elapsed since then. The public announcement therefore, ought to have been made within 4 working days of March 14, 2000 in terms of Regulation 14(1) and 14(3) of the Regulations, which was not done. In view of the same, I am inclined to agree with the recommendations of the Panel in not granting exemption to the acquirers from the making of an open offer to the shareholders of the Target Company. In light
of the above, in exercise of the powers conferred upon me under provisions
of sub-section (3) of section 4 of the SEBI Act, 1992 and sections 11 and
11B of the SEBI Act, 1992, read with Regulations 10, 12, 44 and 45 of the
Regulations, I hereby direct the acquirers to make a public announcement
to acquire shares from the shareholders of the target company, in accordance
with the relevant provisions of the regulations, at an offer price to be
computed by taking the higher of the price arrived at by taking March 14,
2000 and the actual date of the public announcement as the reference dates.
Moreover in view of the considerable delay in the making of a public announcement
since the date of the acquisition, in the interest of the investors, it
is necessary and just that the acquirers are directed to pay interest on
the offer price arrived at @ 15% p.a. to the shareholders of the target
company, for the loss of interest caused to the shareholders from March
14, 2000 till the actual date of public announcement. Moreover in view
of the delay as already mentioned, the acquirer shall make the aforesaid
public announcement in terms of the regulations within 45 days from the
date of this order and comply with the offer formalities as provided for
in the regulations."(verbatim reproduction).
Shri A.M.Setalvad,
learned Senior Counsel appearing for the Appellants explained the background
of the case and stated that the facts leading to the Appellants approaching
the Respondent seeking exemption was similar to the case of acquisition
of Castrol India as stated in the appeal No.11/2001, but for one distinguishable
feature that the Appellants had decided to sell off the Speciality Chemicals
division of Burmah Castrol which in India was carried out by Foseco India
Ltd., that this material fact puts the present case on a different footing
and distinct from Castrol India�s case. Learned Senior Counsel submitted
that when the Appellant made a public announcement of its decision to acquire
the shares of Burmah Castrol Plc, subject to the approval of the regulatory
authorities and subject to the acceptance by a specified minimum number
of shares, it was made clear in the announcement itself that the Appellant
was contemplating disposal of the speciality chemicals business of Burmah
Castrol.
Learned
Senior Counsel stated that the assets of Foseco (India) Ltd formed an insignificant
part of the total assets of Burmah Castrol Plc, being the market value
of the shares of only 0.3%, its revenue merely 0.4% and net assets just
1.3%. He also stated that the Appellant did not carry out any due diligence
in relation to Foseco India, as there was no intention on its part to acquire
shares or control over Foseco India Ltd that the said acquisition was incidental
and unintended consequence to the global restructuring of Burmah Castrol.
Learned Senior Counsel stated that this is manifest in the light of the
stated intention of the Appellant to dispose of the speciality chemicals
division of Burmah Castrol, which includes Foseco (India). Shri Setalvad
submitted that this aspect has been wholly ignored by the Respondent in
dealing with the Appellants� application seeking exemption from making
a public offer.
Shri Setalvad
submitted that the Appellant had in its very application dated 10.7.2000
submitted to the Respondent seeking exemption contended that having regard
to the provisions of regulation 3 (1) (j) acquisition of Burmah Castrol�s
shares did not fall within the ambit of regulations 10 to 12 as the said
takeover was a merger under the English Takeover Code which was the relevant
legal system to the Appellant and to Burmah Castrol. Learned Senior Counsel
submitted that the Appellant had never in the case of Foseco India Ltd
withdrawn the said contention as claimed by the Respondent. He submitted
that its claim of exemption under regulation 3 (1) (j) has been ignored
by the Respondent as is evident from its order. According to learned Senior
Counsel the Appellant in its application dated 10.7.2000 had sought exemption
on two alternative grounds i.e., (i) that the Foseco India is proposed
to be sold and (ii)provisions 3 (1) (j) are attracted. According to Shri
Setalvad, the impugned order is an unreasoned one and made in violation
of the principles of natural justice.
Learned
Senior Counsel submitted that in its application dated 6.12.2000 the Appellant
had specifically stated that the speciality chemicals division of Burmah
Petrol is proposed to be sold and that if such sale took place and no exemption
had been granted, the result would be two simultaneous open offers at different
prices, one made by the Appellant and the other by the entity which acquires
the said division, resulting in confusion. He further stated that if both
the said offers were fully accepted the public shareholding in Foseco India
would be reduced to 2% requiring delisting of the said company�s shares
from the stock exchanges which could never be in the public interest. Shri
Setalvad submitted that the proposed sale of chemicals division has been
now confirmed and announcement in that respect has been made on 13.7.2001,
that the Respondent had not considered these aspects while deciding the
exemption application. The fact that the Appellant did not file an appeal
against the Respondent�s order denying exemption does not mean that it
has given up any of its claims and therefore the comparison of the follow
up action in the aftermath of the Respondent�s order dated 7.8.2000 is
of no relevance, as the cases are not identical in material aspects and
that in any case it is for the Appellant to decide the course of action
depending on several factors. Referring to the Appellant seeking exemption
under regulation 3 (1) (l), despite the automatic exemption under regulation
3 (1) (j) (ii), Shri Setalvad submitted that it was only by way of abundant
caution and there was no bar on the Appellant seeking such exemption.
Shri Setalvad
referred to the decision of the Respondent in the case relating Rexroth
(India) Ltd, which was taken over along with its foreign parent holding
company, granting exemption to the acquirer from the obligation to comply
with regulations 10, 11 and 12. Learned Senior Counsel stated that as per
the press release issued by the Respondent, three reasons were assigned
for granting exemption in the said case, namely that the assets, shareholding
and revenue of Rexroth India were insignificant parts of the assets of
the holding company, there was no intention to acquire control of Rexroth
India; the takeover was merely incidental and there was no due diligence
in the affairs of Rexroth India. Shri Setalvad submitted that each of the
said reasons was directly applicable to the facts of the Appellant�s case,
that the only point of distinction made in the Respondent�s order is that
the proportion of public holding in the case of Rexroth India was lower
compared to Foseco India�s. Shri Setalvad submitted that the said reasoning
is wholly irrelevant in determining as to whether the case deserves to
be given exemption. According to the learned Senior Counsel the conduct
of the Respondent in granting exemption in the case of Rexroth India and
denying the same in the case of the Appellant is arbitrary and discriminatory.
Learned
Senior Counsel submitted that the Respondent in the impugned order has
directed the Appellant not only to make a public offer at a price calculated
by taking 14.3.2000 as the relevant date, but also to pay interest at the
rate of 15% per annum from 14.3.2000 till the actual date of public announcement
made. Shri Setalvad submitted that the order imposing interest is ex-facie
ultra vires the provisions of the Securities and Exchange Board of India
Act, 1992 (the Act) that section 15H of the said Act provides that if a
person fails to make a public announcement to acquire shares at a minimum
price he shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding Rs.5 lakhs and section
15I and 15J lay down how such a penalty can be imposed. He stated that
the impugned order pertaining to interest has been passed without complying
with the requirements of section 15I and 15J and would result in an obligation
on the Appellants to pay an amount exceeding Rs. 4 crores, which is far
in excess of the maximum limit of Rs. 5 lakhs imposed by section 15H. According
to Shri Setalvad the provisions of section 15H by necessary implication
exclude any action being taken for a default committed by a party except
in the manner provided in section 15I and 15J, that the direction to pay
interest in the instant case is nothing but an order in the nature of penalty
for the alleged default committed by the Appellants in not making the public
announcement and the direction is therefore ultra vires the provisions
of the said Act. He also submitted that the Respondent has ignored the
provisions of the Act as well.
Shri Setalvad
further stated, that without prejudice to the aforesaid, the Appellants
are not responsible for the alleged delay, that they applied for exemption
on the 10th July, 2000 which was within three days of the offer
being accepted by the requisite number of shareholders of Burmah Castrol,
that the Respondent�s order dated 7.8.2000 granting conditional exemption
being contrary to the provisions of the Act and the Companies Act, the
Appellant by its letter dated 13.9.2000 had requested the Respondent to
delete the said conditions that on 6.12.2000 the Appellant applied for
consideration of certain additional grounds and submitted further grounds
thereafter that the said application was finally rejected on 19.5.2001,
ShriSetalvad stated that there was no delay at all on the part of the Appellant,
that in the circumstances the order for payment of interest is clearly
unwarranted, that in any event, interest can only be awarded at a rate
not exceeding the current rate of interest under section 3 of the Interest
Act, 1978, and as such direction to pay interest at 15%, is ultra vires.
Shri Setalvad
submitted that in a case to which the Interest Act is not applicable, or
there is no specific statutory provision to pay interest, liability to
pay interest is not attracted. He further stated that under the Regulations
interest is payable only in the eventuality stated in regulation 22(12)
and that since there is such a specific provision, levy of interest is
not permissible under any other circumstances. Shri Setalvad submitted
that the Act does not empower the Respondent to levy interest. According
to him powers under section 11 (1) is general in nature which cannot be
invoked to levy interest in view of the specific provision of regulation
22(12) made in exercise of the power under section 11(2) Shri Setalvad
did not press the grounds urged in para G under the heading �Grounds� in
the appeal.
Shri Goolam
Vahanvati , learned Advocate General, appearing for the Respondent stated
that the Respondent is not filing any written reply and that he is ready
to argue the matter.
Learned
Advocate General stated that the material facts relating to take over of
Foseco India are identical to the facts relating to take over of Castrol
India , that Foseco India and Castrol India are indirect subsidiaries of
Burmah Castrol and on acquisition of the said Burmah Castrol by Appellant
No.1 the subsidiaries of Burmah Castrol also became the subsidiaries of
the Appellant. Appellant No.1 became the ultimate holding company of Foseco
India Limited in the place of Burmah Castrol as a result of acquisition
of the shares of Burmah Castrol.
Referring
to the Appellant�s contention that the case of Foseco is different from
that of Castrol India, on the ground that the Appellant had in the public
announcement itself stated its intention to dispose off its share holding
in Foseco India, the learned Advocate General submitted that there was
no such firm commitment in the public announcement. He cited the Appellant�s
statement in the public announcement in this connection, that the statement
was a caveated one saying "subject to review, B.P Amoco expects
to dispose of these speciality chemicals business". According to the learned
Advocate General these sort of an uncertain statement cannot be construed
as a commitment to sell the undertaking. In this context he also referred
to the submission made by the Appellant in the application dated 10.7.2000
seeking exemption in terms of regulation 4 that "� Castrol India Ltd and
Foseco India Limited are indirect subsidiaries of Burmah Castrol Plc in
that Burmah Castrol Plc indirectly has 51% holding of shares in Castrol
India Ltd and a 58% holding of shares in Foseco India Ltd. We understand
that 49% of the issued shares in Castrol India Ltd are owned primarily
by their retail shareholders and to some extent by institutional shareholders.,
A Burmah Castrol group structure chart is enclosed showing Burmah Castrol
Plc, Foseco India Ltd and Castrol India Ltd. There will be no change in
the shareholding in either Indian Company nor is there any proposal to
make any material change in the existing management of either Indian Company.
Similarly, at present, BP Amoco Plc. has no intention of making any significant
change in the composition of the Board of Directors of Castrol India Ltd
or Foseco India Ltd" (paras 4 and 5). Learned Advocate General pointed
out the inconsistency in the statement made in the public announcement
and the said application and stated that these statements were meant to
serve different purposes.
Learned
Advocate General stated that the Appellant knew that the case is not covered
under the automatic exemption available under regulation 3(1)(j)(ii) and
therefore decided to seek specific exemption under regulation 3(1)(l) and
also knew that exemption would not be available in a case where assets
are going to be alienated. Shri Vahanvati stated that in case the Appellant
felt that the Respondent�s order dated 7.8.2000 was unreasonable or unjustified
it should have appealed against the said order. The Appellant did not do
so but represented to the Respondent vide letter dated 13.9.2000 to delete
the conditions stipulated by the Respondent in the order and neither in
the said representation nor at any time thereafter raised the question
of applicability of regulation 3(1)(j)(ii). Shri Vahanvati in this context
referred to the Appellant�s letter dated 6.12.2000 and submitted that therein
it has been stated that it would be making a fresh application for grant
of exemption from making an offer to the shareholders of Foseco India Ltd
and an application was filed on the same day. The exemption was sought
on the ground that the Appellant would be selling its chemicals business
which in India is carried on by Foseco India Ltd. In the said application
also the Appellant did not raise the applicability of the exemption under
regulation 3 (1) (j) (ii). According to the learned Advocate General, from
the conduct of the Appellant it is clear that it had given up its claim
of exemption under regulation 3(1)(j). Learned Advocate General further
submitted that the Takeover Panel considered the Appellant�s proposal to
sell Foseco India Ltd, as is evident from its recommendations, and thereafter
decided not to recommend exemption. Referring to the Appellant�s allegation
that it was not given an opportunity of being heard in the matter, Shri
Vahanvati referred to the Respondent�s letter dated 1.1.2001, wherein while
communicating the Panel�s views, the Appellant was advised that in case
it desires to avail an opportunity of hearing, to appear before the Chairman,
SEBI on 9.1.2001.
Shri Vahanvati
stated that the Takeover Panel in its recommendations had clearly stated
that the ground adduced by the Appellant seeking exemption was not acceptable.
Learned Advocate General stated that when an acquirer says that he is planning
to sell off an undertaking, SEBI cannot give exemption as the sale is against
the interests of investors, that such a sale being nothing but asset stripping.
He pointed out that the Appellant�s apprehension that in the event of sale
of Foseco India, two public offers will be required, and consequently the
shares of Foseco India will have to be delisted, to the detriment of the
investors, etc., is baseless. He pointed out that in case the new acquirer
seeks exemption the same will be considered on merits and decision will
be taken, that for the time being the issue is compliance of the regulatory
provisions by the Appellant. Shri Vahanvati stated that in fact one Waterloo
Project Ltd, claiming to be the acquirer of Foseco India Ltd has already
filed an application (dated 18.7.2001) seeking exemption. In this context
the learned Advocate General stated that the said company is not the acquirer
referred to by Shri Clyde A D�mello, Associate President, B. P India, in
his affidavit dated 20.7.2001 filed in the Tribunal.
Learned
advocate General stated that the Respondent is mandated to protect the
interests of the shareholders in the event of substantial acquisition of
shares and takeovers of companies. He pointed out that by taking 14.3.2000
as the referral date for fixing the minimum price, the offer price would
be around Rs. 226/-, that the Tribunal has already held in appeal No. 11
of 2001 that the referral date should be 14.3.2000. The referral date,
as claimed by the Appellant, if applied, the offer price would be Rs.144.02,
that if Waterloo Project�s request is accepted the offer price would be
just Rs.88.75. Learned Advocate General urged that the Indian Shareholders
right to exit provided by law cannot be denied.
Shri Vahanvati
submitted that the Rexroth�s case and Foseco India�s case, though similar
in certain aspects, materially differed on certain vital aspects. He pointed
out that in Rexroth case, public holding was just 25% whereas in the case
of Foseco India, public holding was around 45%. Further, in the Rexroth�s
case there was an assurance that there won�t be any change in the target
company, whereas Foseco India�s case the facts show that the acquirer was
planning to dispose of the undertaking to some other management which would
necessarily result in change in the management of the said company. Learned
Advocate General stated that the Respondent decides exemption application
considering all the relevant aspects including to the recommendations of
the Takeover Panel which is an expert body. In the instant case also it
had followed the same procedure. He refuted the allegation that Foseco
India�s case was decided arbitrarily and discriminately vis-à-vis
Rexroth India.
On the
direction to pay interest, the learned Advocate General submitted that
the provisions of the Interest Act is not applicable to the case as the
Respondent is not a Court or a Tribunal. The Appellant has been directed
to pay interest, as a measure to protect the interests of the shareholders
of Foseco, and the Respondent is vested with sufficient power for the purpose
in terms of section 11 (1) and also under regulation 44. In this context
he cited the decision of the Hon�ble Bombay High Court in Anand Rathi v.
SEBI (2001) 32 SCL 227 to reinforce his submission that the Respondent
is empowered under regulation 11 (1) to take appropriate measures to protect
the interest of the investors. He also submitted that regulation 22 (12)
is not a bar on the Respondent directing the Appellants to pay the interest,
that the said regulation 22 (12) is meant to meet only a limited situation.
According
to the learned Advocate General 14.3.2000 has been arrived at as the day
from which the obligation to pay interest arose and the outer time limit
on which the obligation would cease, has also been mentioned in the order,
taking into consideration the interests of the shareholders. He pointed
out that the quantum of interest rate has to be decided in the Indian context
and not from the global point of view. Shri Vahanvati stated that direction
to pay interest @ 15% from 14.3.2001 till the actual date of public announcement,
is a reasonable measure meant to protect the share holders interest. He
also referred to regulation 44 of the Regulations which also according
to him empowers the Respondent to direct the acquirer to pay interest for
delayed payment of consideration to the shareholders of target companies.
On a perusal
of the impugned order it is seen that it is in two parts; let us say Part
A and Part B for convenience sake. Part A of the order directs the Apellants
to make a public announcement to acquire shares from the shareholders of
Foseco India in accordance with the relevant provisions of the regulations
at an offer price computed by taking 14.3.2000 as the referral date. Part
B of the order directs the Appellants to pay interest on the offer price
arrived at @ 15% per annum to the shareholders of Foseco India for the
loss of interest caused to them from 14.3.2000 till the actual date of
public announcement. The Appellants have been asked to make the said public
announcement within 45 days from the date of the impugned order.
It is
seen from the facts before me that the Appellant No.1 had approached the
Respondent through an application dated 10.7.2000 seeking exemption from
the obligation to make a public offer in the context of acquisition of
Burmah Castrol and the consequential indirect acquisition of Castrol India
Ltd and Foseco India Ltd. The said application is a composite application
seeking exemption from making public offer to the shareholders of both
the companies viz. Castrol India and Foseco India. Those two companies
are the subsidiaries of Burmah Castrol. Burmah Castrol indirectly has a
51% holding of shares in Castrol India and a 58% holding of shares in Foseco
India Ltd. In the said application the Appellant had inter alia stated
that subject to the review the Appellant expects to dispose of the chemicals
business of Burmah Castrol, including the stake of Burmah Castrol in Foseco
India Ltd by Easter 2001, that acquisition of Burmah Castrol Plc by the
Appellant No.1 is a merger which is regulated by the U.K. Takeover Code
and as such exempted under regulation 3 (1) (j) (ii) and accordingly there
was no requirement of making any public offer to acquire any shares in
Castrol India Ltd or Foseco India Ltd. The Appellant had further stated
in the application that in the alternative it should be granted an exemption
from the obligation to make an offer for 20% of the shares in Castrol India
and Foseco India limited. The grounds adduced for such exemption were that
there would not be any change in share holding or controlling over the
companies, that the Appellant has no current intention of making significant
change to the management or Board of these companies, that the acquisition
of the said two Indian companies is merely an unintended consequence of
the global restructuring of the Appellant, that the value of the shares
of the two companies, value of their assets, revenue etc., is very insignificant
in relation to that of the Burmah Castrol. It has also been stated therein
that no diligence was carried out on the assets of the said companies because
of their relative small value to the size of the total transaction. Respondent
on receipt of the said application sought the recommendations of the Takeover
Panel and on receiving the same, made its own assessment and granted exemption
subject to the condition that approval of shareholders of Castrol India
and Foseco India, by special resolutions would be obtained at their respective
meetings, permitting voting through postal ballot there at, ratifying the
change in control. I find that the order though refers to several grounds
raised by the Appellants, it is silent on the Appellant�s submission that
the acquisition enjoys the automatic exemption provided under regulation
3 (1) (j) (ii). This has been high lighted by the Appellants in the appeal
and stated that the order is deficient as the Respondent has not given
its finding on the said submission. This contention is not correct. The
Respondent was not required to give a finding on the said point while disposing
off the application dated 6.12.2000. To enable the Appellant to avail exemption
under regulation 3 (1) (j) no endorsement from the Respondent is required.
Regulation 3 enumerates the type of acquisitions exempted from the purview
of regulation 10, 11 and 12. While some of these exemptions are automatic
some others are subject to fulfillment of certain requirements/ conditions.
As it was found difficult to provide an exhaustive list of exemptions in
the Regulations, it has provided an enabling provision under which the
Respondent can grant exemption in other deserving cases. This enabling
power is in regulation 3 (1) (l) and regulation 4. Exemption under regulation
3 (1) (j) (ii) being a built in automatic exemption, the Respondent cannot
take away the same. Therefore the applicability of regulation 3 (1) (j)
(ii) was not required to be considered by the Respondent while considering
the application seeking grant of exemption under regulation 3 (1) (l).
When an application for exemption under regulation 3(1) (l) is made, the
inference is that the case is not covered under any of the specific exemptions
provided in regulation 3. In an application for exemption under the residual
powers provided under regulation 3 (1) (l) the Respondent is required to
consider the other grounds which would warrant exemption in terms of regulation
3 (1) (l). It is to be remembered that exemption under regulation 3 (1)
(l) is to the exclusion of the automatic exemptions provided elsewhere
in regulation 3 including the one at clause (j) (ii). An exemption order
is made on the subjective satisfaction of SEBI formed on the basis of the
material before it. In the absence of adequate reason, decision of the
Respondent cannot be over turned.
It is
seen that the Appellant vide its letter dated 13.9.2000 had made representation
to the Respondent requesting to delete the condition stipulated therein
requiring the holding company to abstain from voting on the special resolution
at the share holders meeting of Castrol India and Foseco India. It is seen
that vide letter dated 6.12.2000 the Appellant�s Counsel had informed the
Respondent that with regard to the Respondent�s order dated7.8.2000 and
the letter dated 13.9.2000, "having regard to the totality of circumstances
and in particular SEBI�s concern for the Indian minority share holders,
our client BP Amoco Plc has decided to withdraw the application for exemption
from making an offer to the shareholders of Castrol India Ltd. Castrol
Ltd will now make the offer for a further 20% of the shares in Castrol
India Ltd. Our client BP Amoco, however, seek to request SEBI to grant
the exemption to Foseco Plc from making an offer to the shareholders of
Foseco India Ltd , for which a separate application for exemption is being
filed". Thus it is very clear that the composite application made earlier
was to be withdrawn, otherwise there was no need to refer to making a separate
application in the Foseco India�s case. Further even in the subsequent
application there is nothing to link it with the earlier application or
consider it a supplementary one. The reference to separate application
means that it is not supplementary to the earlier application. It is a
separate and distinct application seeking exemption only on the grounds
stated therein. The grounds adduced in its earlier application cannot be
automatically imported into the new application requiring fresh consideration
and decision thereon by the Respondent. In fact the Takeover Panel has
made the position clear in the following words that "on 8thAugust, 2000
the Chairman of SEBI had passed the order on the said application and as
such, the said application of BP Amoco Plc was disposed off. In that view
of the matter, there is no question of BPAmoco Plc now withdrawing the
said application which has already been considered and disposed off". (from
the Takeover Panel�s report dated 14.12.2000). Therefore it is clear that
the application dated 6.12.2000 is a fresh application independent of the
composite application submitted earlier.
The separate
application referred to above was filed on 6.12.2000 seeking exemption
from making an offer to the share holders of Foseco India on the grounds
specifically stated therein. An extract of those grounds has already been
provided on page 3 of this order. On a perusal of the said application
it is seen that exemption was sought on the main ground that Appellants
would be disposing of their shareholding in Foseco India and the consequences
that would follow in the event of not granting exemption were also stated
therein. It is seen that during the pendency of the said application vide
another letter dated 19.5.2001, the Appellants had brought to the notice
of the Respondent the similarity of their case with the case of Rexroth
India in which SEBI had granted exemption, and requested the Respondent
to consider their case also in the same manner.
The impugned
order as alleged is not unreasoned or silent on the grounds raised by the
Appellant. It has dealt with the two grounds referred to in the application
dated 6.12.2000. On the Appellant�s proposal to sell Foseco India, the
Takeover Panel had already expressed its views and the Respondent had accepted
the same and this has been referred to in the order also. Referring to
Rexroth�s case the Respondent has discussed the details and expressed its
views in the order as to why both the cases cannot be treated on par. Applicability
of the provisions of regulation 3(1)(j) was not a matter before the Respondent
and as such there was no need to comment on the same. The Respondent cannot
be faulted for not discussing those points and materials which were not
raised in the application dated 6.12.2000 or thereafter.
The Appellant�s
grouse that they were not given an opportunity of being heard is baseless.
The Respondent vide its letter dated 9.4.2001 addressed to the Appellant�s
Counsel had advised them to appear before the Chairman, if they so desired,
to putforth their views. A copy of the recommendation of the takeover Panel
was also forwarded to them. It is seen from the Counsel�s letter dated
20.4.2001 that they had availed of the opportunity. Chairman passed the
order thereafter on 19.5.2001. The order is self-explanatory. Therefore
the allegation that the order was passed without following principles of
natural justice is found baseless.
The Appellant�s
claim that since they were planning to dispose off its shareholding in
Foseco India and as such exemption is justified need be examined. As already
stated above, in the public announcement made on 14.3.2000 the Appellant
had not made any firm commitment to sell its holdings. The statement that
appeared in the public announcement is that "subject to review,
BP Amoco expects to dispose of these speciality chemicals business".
It is difficult to accept in the light of such a guarded statement that
the Appellant had decided to sell its holdings in Foseco India (which is
its speciality chemicals unit in India). Non seriousness of this statement
is further evident from the following statement in its application dated
10.7.2000 submitted to the Respondent seeking exemption, that "there will
be no change in the share holding in either Indian company nor is there
any proposal to make any material change in the existing management of
either India company. Similarly at present, BP Amoco Plc has no intention
of making any significant change in the composition of the Board of Directors
of Castrol India Ltd or Foseco India Ltd". However, in the application
dated 6.12.2000 the Appellant had pointed out two practical difficulties
that would occur if the exemption was not granted, viz., a possibility
of two simultaneous offers at two different prices and the public shareholding
being reduced to 2%.
In this
context it is to be noted that the Takeover Panel had noted the Appellants
proposal and after considering the same it had declined to recommend exemption.
As the learned Advocate General pointed out that the Indian minority Shareholders�
right to exit provided by law cannot be denied. He had pointed out the
benefit that would accrue to the Indian minority shareholders would be
higher in case 14.3.2000 is taken as the date of public announcement, as
the minimum offer price in that case would be Rs. 226/- whereas if Waterloo
Project Ltd, the new acquirer of Foseco, is to make a public offer at the
current price the shareholders would be getting only Rs. 88.75. It is not
the monetary gain to the Indian shareholders, that is to be taken as the
guiding factor. It is the governing legal provision, that is required be
followed. If under the regulations the shareholders are entitled to benefit,
it should be granted, if the regulation is not in favour, the benefit cannot
be granted. Therefore the impugned order has to be tested from the legal
angle.
It may be noted that it is not incumbent on the Respondent to grant exemption just for asking. The decision normally depends on several factors including the interests of investors. In this context it is to be noted that the public announcement was required to be made on 14.3.2000 and the entire acquisition process was to be completed immediately on the Appellant No.1 waiving the material conditions, etc. on 7.7.2000. It is also to be noted that even after lapse of one year, the shareholders of Foseco India have not been favoured with a public offer as required by law on the ground that the Appellant�s shareholding in Foseco India are proposed to be sold. I am not saying that the shares once acquired should not be sold. The acquirers are at liberty to dispose of the shares acquired and if any one acquires shares enblock in the said process crossing the bench mark provided in the regulation he will have to make a public offer unless the acquisition is covered under exemption. The disclosure of the intention to dispose of the assets of the target company in the public announcement by itself is not an excuse to skip the obligation to make the public offer. The said disclosure is in fact required to be made in the public announcement or offer letter in terms of regulation 22 (18) to avoid penal consequences as could be seen from the regulation extracted below: I do not find any force in the Appellants submission that their case, though identical to Rexroth�s has been treated arbitrarily and discriminately by the Respondent. Each exemption is specific to the facts and circumstances applicable to the case. Regulation 3 (1) (l) empowers the Respondent to grant exemption following the procedure stated in regulation4. Sub regulation (6) of regulation 4 which provides the guidelines to SEBI in this regard is reproduced below: From the
material before me I am convinced that the Respondent had followed the
requirements of regulation 4. In the light of the facts and circumstances
of the case I am of the view that the Respondent�s direction to the Appellants
to make a public announcement to acquire shares from the shareholders of
Foseco India Ltd is legally tenable.
Now coming
to part B of the order i.e. direction to the Appellants to pay interest,
I have considered the arguments putforth thereon by the Counsel. I have
weighed the legal position. In my assessment the Respondent is empowered
under section 11 (1) of the Act to issue such a direction. The legal position
regarding the Respondents power under section 11(1) has been stated by
the Tribunal in its order in Appeal No.37/2001 decided on 5.9.2001 as under:
"The Appellants� contention that the direction to pay substantial sum of penalty by way of interest is contrary to section 15H of the Act is unfounded. Section 15H, no doubt provides for imposition of monetary penalty, if any person, who is required under the Act or any rules or regulations made thereunder, fails to make a public announcement to acquire shares at a minimum price. Section 15H is thus a penal provision applicable to the persons failing to comply with the statutory requirements. Monetary penalty realised thereunder is not meant for compensating the loss incurred by the investors. The provision is deterrent in nature. But levy of interest is not a penal action. It is independent of the penal action provided in section 15H. Interest in the instant case is levied with a view to compensate the shareholders to whom payment of their legitimate dues were delayed. Therefore the argument linking levy of interest and penal consequences provided in section 15H is untenable. The argument that since the Appellants were bonafide pursuing the remedies available to them under the law, the direction to pay interest for the period is unjust and unfair is also untenable. As the Hon�ble Supreme Court in Dinesh Chandra Jamnadas Gandhi v. State of Gujarat (AIR 1989 SC 1011) held " it is no defense that the accused acted on a mistaken interpretation of the statute which he honestly believed to be correct". Investors cannot be made to suffer for the reason that the Appellants had a different perception on the need to comply with the statutory requirements.The next question is as to whether the Respondent is empowered to levy interest in the absence of any such specific provision for the purpose in the SEBI Act/regulations. In this context it is to be noted that the object of the SEBI Act is to provide for the establishment of a Board to protect the interests of investors in securities etc. Powers and functions of the Board has been provided in Chapter IV of the Act. Section 11 (1) therein is on the powers of the Board. According to section 11(1): (2) Without
prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provisions, the measures referred
to therein may provide for
��.. ��.. ��.. ��.. ��.. ��.. (h) regulating substantial acquisition of shares and takeovers of companies. ������ ������ The said regulation reads as under: (b) prohibiting the person concerned from disposing of any of the securities acquired in violation of these Regulations; (c) directing the person concerned to sell the shares acquired in violation of the provisions of these Regulations; (d) taking action against the person concerned" It is
true that the Regulations provide measures for regulating substantial acquisition
of shares and takeovers. But that does not mean that the Respondent cannot
take any investor protection measure with reference to a matter relatable
to substantial acquisition of shares and takeovers, especially in the absence
of any specific provision in the regulation. Scope of regulation 11 (1)
is sufficiently wide to meet situations, for which measures are not specifically
provided in the regulation. Even though Anand Rathi�s case referred to
by the learned Advocate General is of no direct help in this context, there
is no shortage of authorities explaining the scope of section 11. The legal
position has been explained in SEBI Vs. Alka Synthetics (1999) 19 SCL 460)
decided by the Division Bench of the Hon�ble Gujarat High Court. In the
judgement the Hon�ble Court had observed that "so far as the authority
of law in the SEBI to issue such directions is concerned, such measures
as it thinks fit is clearly discernable on the basis of the provisions
contained in section 11 read with section 11B of the SEBI Act. Merely because
in section 11 (2) it is provided that "the measures referred to therein
may provide for" cannot be taken to mean that such measures have to be
laid down in advance. It is a matter of common knowledge that the SEBI
has to regulate a speculative market and in case of speculative market
varied situations may arise and all such exigencies and situations cannot
be contemplated in advance and, therefore, looking to the exigencies and
the requirement, it has been entrusted with the duty and function to take
such measures as it thinks fit. Thus the measures cannot be laid down as
a onetime exercise to be followed in defined cases. The SEBI has to rise
to the occasion for taking appropriate measures to combat even such situations
in the speculative market, which may or may not be conceived in advance.
We have to therefore consider and interpret the power of SEBI under the
provisions so as to see that the objects sought to be achieved by Act is
fully served, rather than being defeated on the basis of any technicality.
Instead of general principles of law, in such cases we have to consider
the matter on first principle. The first principle is that the provisions
of an Act have to be given a meaning so as to advance the object sought
to be achieved by that Act. The duty and function had been entrusted to
take such measures as it thinks fit and in order to discharge this duty
the power is vested under section 11B. In such a situation, it cannot be
said that there was no authority of law with the SEBI to take appropriate
measure. Now the question arises as to whether such measures should essentially
be provided and published in advance. No one can be expected to do any
task which is impossible and whereas we have already observed that the
measures have to be taken to meet a particular eventuality, which may or
may not be conceived earlier, there is no question laying down such measures
in advance and publishing the same. Thus, there is an authority under law
to take the measures and merely because the measures have not been laid
down in advance and published. It cannot be said that SEBI had no other
authority under law to issue the directions, as contained in the impugned
orders. The authority has been given under the law to take appropriate
measures as it thinks fit and that by itself is sufficient to cloth the
SEBI with the authority of law".
In this
context it is also be noted that regulation 44 is not an exclusive provision
debarring the Respondent taking any measures other than those mentioned
in the regulation. It is therefore clear that SEBI is legally entitled
to issue directions to the concerned persons to pay interest to the shareholders
to whom payment of consideration against the shares acquired was delayed.
The argument
that since regulation 22 (12) provides for levy of interest only in a particular
situation, interest cannot be levied in any other situation is not correct.
Substantive provision of regulation 22 (12) is not on levy of interest.
Said regulation directs the acquirer within a period 30 days from the date
of the closure of the offer, complete all procedures relating to the offer
including payment of consideration to the shareholders who have accepted
the offer. In the event the acquirer is unable to make the payment to the
shareholders who had accepted the offer before the said period of 30 days
due to non-receipt of the requisite statutory approvals, the Board if satisfied
that non-receipt of the requisite statutory approval was not due to any
willful default or neglect of the acquirer or failure of the acquirer to
diligently pursue the applications for such approvals, is empowered to
grant extension of time for the purpose, subject to the acquirer agreeing
to pay interest to the shareholders for delay beyond 30 days, as may be
specified by the Board from time to time. It could be seen that the regulation
thus provides for levy of interest in a no default situation. It cannot
be said that as a result of the said regulation, interest is not leviable
in any other context where the acquirer had defaulted. It defies the logic
to believe that the regulator is empowered to levy interest in a situation
which was beyond the control of the acquirer but not empowered to levy
interest in a default situation which the acquirer created on his own".
Therefore,
I am of the view that the Respondent is empowered to issue the impugned
direction. Regulation 22 (12) in my view does not put any embargo on the
Respondent in exercising its power under section 11 (1).
The legal position regarding levy of interest and justification for levying interest @ 15% etc., have also been discussed by the Tribunal in its order in Appeal No. 37/2001, decided on 5th September, 2001. Those findings as reproduced below are in equal force applicable to this case. Interest
being the return or compensation for the use or retention by one person
of a sum of money belonging to or owed to another, the liability to pay
the purchase consideration has to be ascertained first. It is therefore
necessary to find out from the regulations as to when the liability to
pay the money to the shareholders crystalises. In the normal course in
the case of purchase of shares in response to the public offer made under
the regulations, the payment is required to be made within 30 days from
the closure of the offer. Total time span provided by the regulation from
the date of public announcement to the date of actual payment of consideration
is 120 days. Regulation 22 provides the time frame for action. The liability
to pay interest arises only in the event of default or delay in making
the payment by the acquirer. In any case the liability does not arise on
the date on which the public announcement was made. The liability does
not cease on the day the acquirer actually made the public announcement.
The liability continues till such time the payment is actually made. It
is seen from the order that the Respondent has identified 14.3.2000 as
the date from which the Appellant should pay the interest. 14.3.2000 as
the relevant date has been identified without taking into account the provisions
of the regulations and the material facts. 14.3.2000 was the date on which
the Appellant made a public announcement offering to purchase the shares
of Burmah Castrol. There was no crystalised liability to make payment on
that date.
However,
I do not think that it will be proper for this Tribunal to embark on an
exercise to decide the period to which interest is required to be paid,
for the main reason that if as a result of such exercise the Appellant�s
liability increases that would put the Appellants in a worse position than
what he was earlier, which is not proper and permissible. It is therefore
felt that the Respondent itself should consider the matter with reference
to the provisions of the regulations and the material facts relevant to
the case and identify the period for the purpose.
In the light of the above discussion the Respondent�s order directing the Appellants to make a public announcement to acquire shares from the shareholders of Foseco India Ltd is upheld. For the reasons stated above it is felt that the Respondent'� direction to the Appellants to pay interest for the period commencing from 14.3.2000 till the actual date of public announcement is untenable and as such the said direction is set aside. However, the Respondent is at liberty to re-examine and decide the period for which the Appellants can be held liable to pay interest and pass suitable order in accordance with law. The appeal
is disposed of in the above lines
(C.ACHUTHAN)
Place:
Mumbai
PRESIDING OFFICER Date: September 7, 2001 |
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