Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992

Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992

The Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992

(15 of 1992)

Last Updated 14th July, 2022 [22/973]

[4th April, 1992]

An Act to provide for the establishment of a Board to protect the interests of investors in securities and to promote the development of, and to regulate, the securities market and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

Be it enacted by Parliament in the Forty-third Year of the Republic of India as follows: -

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY ▼

Chapter I

Preliminary

1. Short title, extent and commencement. - (1) This Act may be called The Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992.

(2) It extends to the whole of India.

(3) It shall be deemed to have come into force on the 30th day of January, 1992.

Object & Reasons▼

Statement of Objects and Reasons. - Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) was established in 1988 through a Government Resolution to promote orderly and healthy growth of the securities market and for investors' protection SEBI has been monitoring the activities of stock exchanges, mutual funds and merchant bankers, etc., to achieve these goals.

2. The capital market has witnessed tremendous growth in recent times, characterised particularly by the increasing participation of the public. Investors' confidence in the capital market can be sustained largely by ensuring investors' protection. With this end in view, Government decided to vest SEBI immediately with statutory powers required to deal effectively with all matters relating to capital market. As Parliament was not in session, and there was an urgent need to instil a sense of confidence in the public in the growth and stability of the capital market, the President promulgated the Securities and Exchange Board of India Ordinance, 1992 (No. 5 of 1992) on the 30th January, 1992.

Amendment Act 9 of 1995-Statement of Objects and Reasons. - The Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992 and the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956 govern the operation of the capital market. The object of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992 is to provide for the establishment of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (hereafter referred to as the Board) to protect the interests of investors in securities and to promote the development of, and to regulate, the securities market and matters connected therewith.

2. On the basis of past experience of the Board, a need has been felt to amend the said Acts in respect of certain categories of intermediaries, persons associated with the securities market and companies on matters relating to the issue of capital and the transfer of securities.

3. In order to enable the Board to function more effectively, it has become essential to amend the aforesaid Acts to provide inter alia, for the following:-

(a) regulate the companies on matters relating to issue of capital, transfer of securities and other matters incidental thereto;

(b) bring intermediaries like depositories, custodians for securities and some other categories of persons associated with the securities market like foreign institutional investors, credit rating agencies and venture capital funds which play a major role in the development of the capital market which were outside the purview of the Board;

(c) impose monetary penalties also in addition to or other than penalties of suspension or cancellation of certificate of registration which may not be appropriate in all cases of default;

(d) provide for appointment of adjudicating officer for imposition of penalties and for establishment of Securities Appellate Tribunal to hear appeals from the orders or decisions of adjudicating officer;

(e) issue regulations without the approval of the Central Government;

(f) allow directors of companies to be appointed as members of the Board so that the Board benefits from the expertise of people familiar with the capital market;

(g) facilitate the issuance and trading of options in securities;

(h) allow the existing stock exchanges to establish additional trading floors outside their area of operation;

(i) make violation of the listing agreement as an offence.

4. As Parliament was not in section, President promulgated the Securities Laws (Amendment) Ordinance, 1995 on the 25th January, 1995 for the said purpose.

Amendment Act 31 of 1999-Statement of Objects and Reasons. - In the last few years there have been substantial improvements in the functioning of capital markets in India. Market and credit risks have been reduced by requirement of adequate capitalisation, margining and establishment of clearing corporations in stock exchanges, etc. Systemic improvements have been made by introduction of screen based trading and depositories to allow book entry transfer of securities, etc., However, there are inadequate advanced risk management tools. With a view to provide such tools and to strengthen and deepen markets, there is an urgent need to include derivatives as securities in the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956 whereby trading in derivatives may be possible within the framework of that Act.

2. Recently many companies especially plantation companies have been raising capital from investors through schemes which are in the form of collective investment schemes. However, there is not an adequate regulatory framework to allow an orderly development of this market. In order that the interests of investors are protected, it has been decided that the Securities and Exchange Board of India would frame regulations with regard to collective investment schemes. It is, therefore, proposed to amend the definition of "securities" so as to include within its ambit the derivatives and the units or any other instrument issued by any collective investment scheme to the investors in such schemes.

3. It is also proposed to substitute section 29-A of the aforesaid Act relating to delegation of powers. At present powers can be delegated to the Securities and Exchange Board of India. It is now proposed to also delegate powers to Reserve Bank of India.

4. The Securities Contracts (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 1998 was introduced in Lok Sabha on the 4th July, 1998 proposing amendments in the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956 to give effect to the amendments mentioned above. The Bill was referred to the Standing Committee on Finance on the 10th July, 1998 for examination and report thereon by the Hon'ble Speaker, Lok Sabha. The Committee submitted its report on the 17th March, 1999. The Committee was of the opinion that the introduction of derivatives, if implemented with proper safeguards and risk containment measures, will certainly give a fillip to the sagging market, result in enhanced investment activity and instil greater confidence among the investors/participants. The Committee after having examined the provisions of the Bill and being convinced of the needs and objectives of the Bill, approved the same for enactment by Parliament with certain modifications/ recommendations which, inter alia, are stated as under:-

(i) A view was expressed before the Standing Committee that since under section 30 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872, the contracts which are cash settled are classified as wagers and trading in wagers is null and void, the index future which are always cash settled would also be classified as wagers under the said Act. Due to this, no proceedings to enforce an index future contracts either by an exchange against a defaulting broker or client against his broker would stand the legal scrutiny before the Court of law. The Committee was, therefore, of the view that there was no harm in having an overriding provision as a matter of abundant caution. They, therefore, suggested the incorporation of the following provision in the Bill, namely:-

"Notwithstanding anything contained in any other Act, contracts in derivatives as per this Act shall be legal and valid.";

(ii) The Committee was convinced that stock exchanges which are presently working would be better equipped to undertake trading in derivatives in a sophisticated environment. They further observed that most of these exchanges have already been modernised having state-of-the-art technology, the facility of depository and clearance house and moreover, since they are in a better position to handle the risk profiles of the retails investors, institutional investors and corporate bodies, it would be prudent to allow trading in derivatives by such exchanges only. The Committee had, therefore, proposed that the following Explanation may be added in the Bill, namely:-

"The derivatives shall be traded and settled on the stock exchange and clearing house of the stock exchange respectively in accordance with the rules and bye-laws of the stock exchange."; and

(iii) The Committee was of the opinion that there was a need to define collective investment schemes in the Act. They had recommended that a definition of collective investment scheme suitably worded in consonance with the definition recommended by the Dave Committee should be included in the Act.

The Central Government have accepted the above recommendations and incorporated the same in the Bill.

Amendment Act 32 of 1999-Statement of Objects and Reasons. - The Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956, the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992 and the Depositories Act, 1996 govern the operations of the capital market. The objectives of these Acts are to prevent undesirable transactions in securities by regulating the business of dealing therein, to provide for the establishment of the Securities and Exchange Board of India to protect the interests of investors in securities and to promote the development of, and to regulate, the securities markets and to provide for regulation of depositories in securities and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

2. The Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956 and the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992 were amended by the Securities Laws (Amendment) Act, 1995, which, inter alia, made provisions in the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992 for appointment of adjudicating officer for imposition of penalties and for establishment of the Securities Appellate Tribunal to hear appeals against the orders or decisions of such adjudicating officers.

3. The Central Government has been conferred powers to hear appeal in respect of all matters (except hearing of appeals against the orders of adjudicating officer under the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992) under the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956, the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992 and the Depositories Act, 1996. In addition to appellate powers, the Central Government, inter alia, has been conferred powers to issue directions and to make rules under these Acts. The Central Government is also represented on the management of the Securities and Exchange Board of India as well as stock exchanges.

4. The powers of the Central Government to issue directions and to make rules and to appoint members of the Securities and Exchange Board of India as well as on governing body of the stock exchanges are being perceived as compromising its appellate powers. It is, therefore, proposed to transfer the aforesaid appellate functions of the Central Government under all three Acts from the Central Government to the Securities Appellate Tribunal.

Amendment Act 59 of 2002-Statement of Objects and Reasons. - The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Act, 1992 was enacted to provide for the establishment of a Board to protect the interests of investors in securities and to promote the development of, and to regulate, the securities market and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

2. Recently many shortcoming in the legal provisions of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992 have been noticed, particularly with respect to inspection, investigation and enforcement. Currently, the SEBI can call for information, undertake inspections, conduct enquiries and audits of stock exchanges, mutual funds, intermediaries, issue directions, initiate prosecution, order suspension or cancellation of registration. Penalties can also be imposed in case of violation of the provisions of the Act or the rules or the regulations. However, the SEBI has no jurisdiction to prohibit issue of securities or preventing shiphoning of funds or assets stripping by any company. While the SEBI can call for information from intermediaries, it cannot call for information from any bank and other authority or board or corporation established or constituted by or under any Central, State or Provincial Act. The SEBI cannot retain books of accounts, documents, etc., in its custody. Under the existing provisions contained in the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992, the SEBI cannot issue commissions for the examination of witnesses or documents. Further, the SEBI has pointed out that existing penalties are too low and do not serve as effective deterrents. At present, under section 209-A of the Companies Act, 1956, the SEBI can conduct inspection of listed companies only for violations of the provisions contained in sections referred to in section 55-A of that Act but it cannot conduct inspection of any listed public company for violation of the SEBI Act or rules or regulations made thereunder.

3. In addition, growing importance of the securities markets in the economy has placed new demands upon the SEBI in terms of organisation structure and institutional capacity. A need was therefore felt to remove these shortcomings by strengthening the mechanisms available to the SEBI for investigation and enforcement so that it is better equipped to investigate and enforce against market malpractices.

4. In view of the above, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Amendment) Ordinance, 2002 (6 of 2002) was promulgated on the 29th October, 2002 to amend the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992.

5. It is now proposed to replace the Ordinance by a Bill, with, inter alia, the following features-

(a) increasing the number of members of the SEBI from six (including Chairman) to nine (including Chairman);

(b) conferring power upon the Board for,

(i) calling for information and record from any bank or other authority or Board or corporation established or constituted by or under any Central, State or Provincial Act in respect of any transaction in securities which are under investigation or inquiry by the Board;

(ii) passing an order for reasons to be recorded in writing, in the interest of investors or securities market, either pending investigation or enquiry or on completion of such investigation or inquiry for taking any of the following measures, namely, to

(A) suspend the trading of any security in a recognised stock exchange;

(B) restrain persons from accessing the securities market and prohibit any person associated with securities market to buy, sell or deal in securities;

(D) impound and retain the proceeds or securities in respect of any transaction which is under investigation;

(E) attach, after passing of an order on an application made for approval by the Judicial Magistrate of the first class having jurisdiction, for a period not exceeding one month, one or more bank account or accounts of any intermediary or any person associated with the securities market in any manner involved in violation of any of the provisions of this Act, or the rules or the regulations made thereunder;

(F) direct any intermediary or any person associated with the securities market in any manner not to dispose of or alienate an asset forming part of any transaction which is under investigation;

(iii) regulating or prohibiting for the protection of investors, issue of prospectus, offer document or advertisement soliciting money for issue of securities;

(iv) directing any person to investigate the affairs of intermediary or person associated with the securities market and to search and seize books, registers, other documents and records considered necessary for the purposes of the investigation, with the prior approval of a Magistrate of the first class;

(v) passing an order requiring any person who has violated or is likely to violate, any provision of the SEBI Act or any rules or regulations made thereunder to cease and desist for committing and causing such violation;

(c) prohibiting manipulative and deceptive devices, insider trading, fraudulent and manipulative trade practices, market manipulation and substantial acquisition of securities and control;

(d) crediting sums realised by way of penalties to the Consolidated Fund of India;

(e) amending the composition of the Securities Appellate Tribunal from one person to three persons;

(f) changing the qualifications for appointment as Presiding Officer and members of the Securities Appellate Tribunal;

(g) composition of certain offences by the Securities Appellate Tribunal;

(h) conferring power upon the Central Government to grant immunity;

(i) appeal to the Supreme Court from the orders of the Securities Appellate Tribunal;

(j) enhancing the penalties specified in the SEBI Act.

2. Definitions. - (1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,-

(a) "Board" means the Securities and Exchange Board of India established under section 3;

(b) "Chairman" means the Chairman of the Board;

[(ba) "collective investment scheme" means any scheme or arrangement which satisfies the conditions specified in section 11-AA;]

(c) "existing Securities and Exchange Board" means the Securities and Exchange Board of India constituted under the Resolution of the Government of India in the Department of Economic Affairs No. 1 (44) SE/86, dated the 12th day of April, 1988;

(d) "Fund" means the Fund constituted under section 14;

(e) "member" means a member of the Board and includes the Chairman;

(f) "notification" means a notification published in the Official Gazette;

(g) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Act;

(h) "regulations" means the regulations made by the Board under this Act;

[(ha) "Reserve Bank" means the Reserve Bank of India constituted under section 3 of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 (2 of 1934);]

(i) "securities" has the meaning assigned to it in section 2 of the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956.

[(2) Words and expressions used and not defined in this Act but defined in] [the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956 (42 of 1956) or the Depositories Act, 1996 (22 of 1996)] [shall have the meanings respectively assigned to them in that Act.]

Chapter II

Establishment Of The Securities And Exchange Board Of India

3. Establishment and incorporation of Board. - (1) With effect from such date as the Central Government may, by notification, appoint, there shall be established, for the purposes of this Act, a Board by the name of the Securities and Exchange Board of India.

(2) The Board shall be a body corporate by the name aforesaid, having perpetual succession and a common seal, with power subject to the provisions of this Act, to acquire, hold and dispose of property, both movable and immovable, and to contract, and shall, by the said name, sue or be sued.

(3) The head office of the Board shall be at Bombay.

(4) The Board may establish offices at other places in India.

4. Management of the Board. - (1) The Board shall consist of the following members, namely:-

(a) a Chairman;

(b) two members from amongst the officials of the [Ministry] of the Central Government dealing with finance [and administration of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956)] ;

[(d) five other members of whom at least three shall be the whole-time members,]

to be appointed by the Central Government.

(2) The general superintendence, direction and management of the affairs of the Board shall vest in a Board of members, which may exercise all powers and do all acts and things which may be exercised or done by the Board.

(3) Save as otherwise determined by regulations, the Chairman shall also have powers of general superintendence and direction of the affairs of the Board and may also exercise all powers and do all acts and things which may be exercised or done by that Board.

(4) The Chairman and members referred to in clauses (a) and (d) of sub-section (1) shall be appointed by the Central Government and the members referred to in clauses (b) and (c) of that sub-section shall be nominated by the Central Government and the [Reserve Bank] respectively.

(5) The Chairman and the other members referred to in clauses (a) and (d) of sub-section (1) shall be persons of ability, integrity and standing who have shown capacity in dealing with problems relating to securities market or have special knowledge or experience of law, finance, economics, accountancy, administration or in any other discipline which, in the opinion of the Central Government, shall be useful to the Board.

5. Term of office and conditions of service of Chairman and members of the Board. - (1) The term of office and other conditions of service of the Chairman and the members referred to in clause (d) of sub-section (1) of section 4 shall be such as may be prescribed.

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the Central Government shall have the right to terminate the services of the Chairman or a member appointed under clause (d) of sub-section (1) of section 4, at any time before the expiry of the period prescribed under sub-section (1), by giving him notice of not less than three months in writing or three months' salary and allowances in lieu thereof, and the Chairman or a member, as the case may be, shall also have the right to relinquish his office, at any time before the expiry of the period prescribed under sub-section (1), by giving to the Central Government notice of not less than three months in writing.

6. Removal of member from office. - [*] The Central Government shall remove a member from office if he-

(a) is, or at any time has been, adjudicated as insolvent;

(b) is of unsound mind and stands so declared by a competent Court;

[* * * *]

(e) has, in the opinion of the Central Government, so abused his position as to render his continuation in office detrimental to the public interest:

Provided that no member shall be removed under this clause unless he has been given a reasonable opportunity of being heard in the matter.

7. Meetings. - (1) The Board shall meet at such times and places, and shall observe such rules of procedure in regard to the transaction of business at its meetings (including quorum at such meetings) as may be provided by regulations.

(2) The Chairman or, if for any reason, he is unable to attend a meeting of the Board, any other member chosen by the members present from amongst themselves at the meeting shall preside at the meeting.

(3) All questions which come up before any meeting of the Board shall be decided by a majority votes of the members present and voting, and, in the event of an equality of votes, the Chairman, or in his absence, the person presiding, shall have a second or casting vote.

[7A. Member not to participate in meetings in certain cases. - Any member, who is a director of a company and who as such director has any direct or indirect pecuniary interest in any matter coming up for consideration at a meeting of the Board, shall, as soon as possible after relevant circumstances have come to his knowledge, disclose the nature of his interest at such meeting and such disclosure shall be recorded in the proceedings of the Board and the member shall not take any part in any deliberation or decision of the Board with respect to that matter.]

8. Vacancies, etc., not to invalidate proceedings of Board. - No act or proceeding of the Board shall be invalid merely by reason of-

(a) any vacancy in, or any defect in the constitution of, the Board; or

(b) any defect in the appointment of a person acting as a member of the Board; or

9. Officers and employees of the Board. - (1) The Board may appoint such other officers and employees as it considers necessary for the efficient discharge of its functions under this Act.

(2) The term and other conditions of service of officers and employees of the Board appointed under sub-section (1) shall be such as may be determined by regulations.

Chapter III

Transfer Of Assets, Liabilities, Etc., Of The Existing Securities And Exchange Board To The Board

10. Transfer of assets, liabilities, etc., of existing Securities and Exchange Board to the Board. - (1) On and from the date of establishment of the Board,-

(a) any reference to the existing Securities and Exchange Board in any law other than this Act or in any contract or other instrument shall be deemed as a reference to the Board;

(b) all properties and assets, movable and immovable, of, or belonging to, the existing Securities and Exchange Board, shall vest in the Board;

(c) all rights and liabilities of the existing Securities and Exchange Board shall be transferred to, and be the rights and liabilities of, the Board;

(d) without prejudice to the provisions of clause (c), all debts, obligations and liabilities incurred, all contracts entered into and all matters and things engaged to be done by, with or for the existing Securities and Exchange Board immediately before that date, for or in connection with the purpose of the said existing Board shall be deemed to have been incurred, entered into or engaged to be done by, with for, the Board;

(e) all sums of money due to the existing Securities and Exchange Board immediately before that date shall be deemed to be due to the Board;

(f) all suits and other legal proceedings instituted or which could have been instituted by or against the existing Securities and Exchange Board immediately before that date may be continued or may be instituted by or against the Board; and

(g) every employee holding any office under the existing Securities and Exchange Board immediately before that date shall hold his office in the Board by the same tenure and upon the same terms and conditions of service as respects remuneration, leave, provident fund, retirement and other terminal benefits as he would have held such office if the Board had not been established and shall continue to do so as an employee of the Board or until the expiry of the period of six months from that date if such employee opts not to be the employee of the Board within such period.

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, or in any other law for the time being in force, absorption of any employee by the Board in its regular service under this section shall not entitle such employee to any compensation under that Act or other law and no such claim shall be entertained by any Court, tribunal or other authority.

Chapter IV

Powers And Functions Of The Board

11. Functions of Board. - (1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, it shall be the duty of the Board to protect the interest of investors in securities and to promote the development of, and to regulate the securities market, by such measures as it thinks fit.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provisions, the measures referred to therein may provide for-

(a) regulating the business in stock exchanges and any other securities markets;

(b) registering and regulating the working of stock brokers, sub-brokers, share transfer agents, bankers to an issue, trustees of trust deeds, registrars to an issue, merchant bankers, underwriters, portfolio managers, investment advisers and such other intermediaries who may be associated with securities markets in any manner;

[(ba) registering and regulating the working of the] [depositories, participants, custodians] [of securities, foreign institutional investors, credit rating agencies and such other intermediaries as the Board may, by notification specify in this behalf;]

(c) registering and regulating the working of [venture capital funds and collective investment schemes] , including mutual funds;

(d) promoting and regulating self-regulatory organisations;

(e) prohibiting fraudulent and unfair trade practices relating to securities markets;

(f) promoting investors' education and training of intermediaries of securities markets;

(g) prohibiting insider trading in securities;

(h) regulating substantial acquisition of shares and take-over of companies;

(i) calling for information from, undertaking inspection, conducting inquiries and audits of the [stock exchanges, mutual funds, other persons associated with the securities market] intermediaries and self-regulatory organisations in the securities market;

[(ia) calling for information and records from any person including any bank or any other authority or board or corporation established or constituted by or under any Central or State Act which, in the opinion of the Board, shall be relevant to any investigation or inquiry by the Board in respect of any transaction in securities]

[(ib) calling for information from, or furnishing information to, other authorities, whether in India or outside India, having functions similar to those of the Board, in the matters relating to the prevention or detection of violations in respect of securities laws, subject to the provisions of other laws for the time being in force in this regard:

Provided that the Board, for the purpose of furnishing any information to any authority outside India, may enter into an arrangement or agreement or understanding with such authority with the prior approval of the Central Government]

(j) performing such functions and exercising such powers under the provisions of [* * *] the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956, as may be delegated to it by the Central Government;

(k) levying fees or other charges for carrying out the purposes of this section;

(l) conducting research for the above purposes;

[(la) calling from or furnishing to any such agencies, as may be specified by the Board, such information as may be considered necessary by it for the efficient discharge of its functions;]

(m) performing such other functions as may be prescribed.

[(2-A) Without prejudice to the provisions contained in sub-section (2), the Board may take measures to undertake inspection of any book, or register, or other document or record of any listed public company or a public company (not being intermediaries referred to in section 12) which intends to get its securities listed on any recognised stock exchange where the Board has reasonable grounds to believe that such company has been indulging in insider trading or fraudulent and unfair trade practices relating to securities market.]

[(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force while exercising the powers under] [clause (i) or clause (ia) of sub-section (2) or sub-section (2-A)], [the Board shall have the same powers as are vested in a civil Court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908) while trying a suit, in respect of the following matters, namely:-

(i) the discovery and production of books of account and other documents, at such place and such time as may be specified by the Board;

(ii) summoning and enforcing the attendance of persons and examining them on oath;

(iii) inspection of any books, registers and other documents of any person referred to in section 12, at any place;]

(iv) inspection of any book, or register, or other document or record of the company referred to in sub-section (2-A);

(v) issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses or documents.

[(4) Without prejudice to the provisions contained in sub-sections (1), (2), (2-A) and (3) and section 11-B, the Board may, by an order, for reasons to be recorded in writing, in the interests of investors or securities market, take any of the following measures, either pending investigation or inquiry or on completion of such investigation or inquiry, namely:-

(a) suspend the trading of any security in a recognised stock exchange;

(b) restrain persons from accessing the securities market and prohibit any person associated with securities market to buy, sell or deal in securities;

(d) impound and retain the proceeds or securities in respect of any transaction which is under investigation;

[(e) attach, for a period not exceeding ninety days, bank accounts or other property of any intermediary or any person associated with the securities market in any manner involved in violation of any of the provisions of this Act, or the rules or the regulations made thereunder:

Provided that the Board shall, within ninety days of the said attachment, obtain confirmation of the said attachment from the Special Court, established under section 26A, having jurisdiction and on such confirmation, such attachment shall continue during the pendency of the aforesaid proceedings and on conclusion of the said proceedings, the provisions of section 28A shall apply:

Provided further that only property, bank account or accounts or any transaction entered therein, so far as it relates to the proceeds actually involved in violation of any of the provisions of this Act, or the rules or the regulations made thereunder shall be allowed to be attached.]

(f) direct any intermediary or any person associated with the securities market in any manner not to dispose of or alienate an asset forming part of any transaction which is under investigation:

Provided that the Board may, without prejudice to the provisions contained in sub-section (2) or sub-section (2-A), take any of the measures specified in clause (d) or clause (e) or clause (f), in respect of any listed public company or a public company (not being intermediaries referred to in section 12) which intends to get its securities listed on any recognised stock exchange where the Board has reasonable grounds to believe that such company has been indulging in insider trading or fraudulent and unfair trade practices relating to securities market:

Provided further that the Board shall, either before or after passing such orders, give an opportunity of hearing to such intermediaries or persons concerned.]

[(4A) without prejudice to the provisions contained in sub-sections (1), (2), (2A), (3) and (4), section 11B and section 15-I, the Board may, by an order for reasons to be recorded in writing, levy penalty under sections 15A, 15B, 15C, 15E, 15EA, 15EB, 15F, 15G, 15H, 15HA and 15HB after holding an inquiry in the prescribed manner.]

[(5) The amount disgorged, pursuant to a direction issued, under section 11B of this Act or section 12A of the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956 or section 19 of the Depositories Act, 1996, [or under a settlement made under section 15JB or section 23JA of the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956 (42 of 1956) or section 19-IA of the Depositories Act, 1996 (22 of 1996)] as the case may be, shall be credited to the Investor Protection and Education Fund established by the Board and such amount shall be utilised by the Board in accordance with the regulations made under this Act.]

[11A. Board to regulate or prohibit issue of prospectus, offer document or advertisement soliciting money for issue of securities. - (1) Without prejudice to the provisions of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956), the Board may, for the protection of investors,-

(a) specify, by regulations-

(i) the matters relating to issue of capital, transfer of securities and other matters incidental thereto; and

(ii) the manner in which such matters shall be disclosed by the companies;

(b) by general or special orders-

(i) prohibit any company from issuing prospectus, any offer document, or advertisement soliciting money from the public for the issue of securities;

(ii) specify the conditions subject to which the prospectus, such offer document or advertisement, if not prohibited, may be issued.

(2) Without prejudice to the provisions of section 21 of the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956 (42 of 1956), the Board may specify the requirements for listing and transfer of securities and other matters incidental thereto.]

[11AA. Collective investment scheme. - (1) Any scheme or arrangement which satisfies the conditions referred to in sub-section (2) [or sub-section (2A)] shall be a collective investment scheme.

[Provided that any pooling of funds under any scheme or arrangement, which is not registered with the Board or is not covered under sub-section (3), involving a corpus amount of one hundred crore rupees or more shall be deemed to be a collective investment scheme.]

(2) Any scheme or arrangement made or offered by any [person] under which,-

(i) the contributions, or payments made by the investors, by whatever name called, are pooled and utilized for the purposes of the scheme or arrangement;

(ii) the contributions, or payments made to such scheme or arrangement by the investors with a view to receive profits, income, produce or property, whether movable or immovable, from such scheme or arrangement;

(iii) the property, contribution or investment forming part of scheme or arrangement, whether identifiable or not, is managed on behalf of the investors;

(iv) the investors do not have day-to-day control over the management and operation of the scheme or arrangement.

[(2A) Any scheme or arrangement made or offered by any person satisfying the conditions as may be specified in accordance with the regulations made under this Act.]

(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (2) [or sub-section (2A)] , any scheme or arrangement-

(i) made or offered by a co-operative society registered under the Co-operative Societies Act, 1912 (2 of 1912) or a society being a society registered or deemed to be registered under any law relating to co-operative societies for the time being in force in any State;

(ii) under which deposits are accepted by non-banking financial companies as defined in clause (f) of section 45-I of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 (2 of 1934);

(iii) being a contract of insurance to which the Insurance Act, 1938 (4 of 1938), applies;

(iv) providing for any scheme, pension scheme or the insurance scheme framed under the Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 (19 of 1952);

(v) under which deposits are accepted under section 58-A of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956);

(vi) under which deposits are accepted by a company declared as a Nidhi or a Mutual Benefit Society under section 620-A of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956);

(vii) falling within the meaning of chit business as defined in clause (e) of section 2 of the Chit Funds Act, 1982 (40 of 1982);

(viii) under which contributions made are in the nature of subscription to a mutual fund;

shall not be a collective investment scheme.]

[(ix) such other scheme or arrangement which the Central Government may, in consultation with the Board, notify.]

11B. Power to issue directions [and levy penalty]. - (1) Save as otherwise provided in section 11, if after making or causing to be made an enquiry, the Board is satisfied that it is necessary-

(i) in the interest of investors, or orderly development of securities market; or

(ii) to prevent the affairs of any intermediary or other persons referred to in section 12 being conducted in a manner detrimental to the interests of investors of securities market; or

(iii) to secure the proper management of any such intermediary or person, it may issue such directions-

(a) to any person or class of persons referred to in section 12, or associated with the securities market; or

(b) to any company in respect of matters specified in section 11-A, as may be appropriate in the interests of investors in securities and the securities market.

[(2) Without prejudice to the provisions contained in sub-section (1), sub-section (4A) of section 11 and section 15-I, the Board may, by an order, for reasons to be recorded in writing, levy penalty under sections 15A, 15B, 15C, 15D, 15E, 15EA, 15EB, 15F, 15G, 15H, 15HA and 15HB after holding an inquiry in the prescribed manner.]

[ Explanation. - For the removal of doubts, it is hereby declared that the power to issue directions under this section shall include and always be deemed to have been included the power to direct any person, who made profit or averted loss by indulging in any transaction or activity in contravention of the provisions of this Act or regulations made thereunder, to disgorge an amount equivalent to the wrongful gain made or loss averted by such contravention.]

[11C. Investigation. - (1) Where the Board has reasonable ground to believe that-

(a) the transactions in securities are being dealt with in a manner detrimental to the investors or the securities market; or

(b) any intermediary or any person associated with the securities market has violated any of the provisions of this Act or the rules or the regulations made or directions issued by the Board thereunder, it may, at any time by order in writing, direct any person (hereafter in this section referred to as the Investigating Authority) specified in the order to investigate the affairs of such intermediary or persons associated with the securities market and to report thereon to the Board.

(2) Without prejudice to the provisions of sections 235 to 241 of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956), it shall be the duty of every manager, managing director, officer and other employee of the company and every intermediary referred to in section 12 or every person associated with the securities market to preserve and to produce to the Investigating Authority or any person authorised by him in this behalf, all the books, registers, other documents and record of, or relating to, the company or, as the case may be, of or relating to, the intermediary or such person, which are in their custody or power.

(3) The Investigating Authority may require any intermediary or any person associated with securities market in any manner to furnish such information to, or produce such books, or registers, or other documents, or record before him or any person authorised by him in this behalf as he may consider necessary if the furnishing of such information or the production of such books, or registers, or other documents, or record is relevant or necessary for the purposes of its investigation.

(4) The Investigating Authority may keep in its custody any books, registers, other documents and record produced under sub-section (2) or sub-section (3) for six months and thereafter shall return the same to any intermediary or any person associated with securities market by whom or on whose behalf the books, registers, other documents and record are produced:

Provided that the Investigating Authority may call for any book, register, other document and record if they are needed again:

Provided further that if the person on whose behalf the books, registers, other documents and record are produced requires certified copies of the books, registers, other documents and record produced before the Investigating Authority, it shall give certified copies of such books, registers, other documents and record to such person or on whose behalf the books, registers, other documents and record were produced.

(5) Any person, directed to make an investigation under sub-section (1), may examine on oath, any manager, managing director, officer and other employee of any intermediary or any person associated with securities market in any manner, in relation to the affairs of his business and may administer an oath accordingly and for that purpose may require any of those persons to appear before him personally.

(6) If any person fails without reasonable cause or refuses-

(a) to produce to the Investigating Authority or any person authorised by him in this behalf any book, register, other document and record which is his duty under sub-section (2) or sub-section (3) to produce; or

(b) to furnish any information which is his duty under sub-section (3) to furnish; or

(c) to appear before the Investigating Authority personally when required to do so under sub-section (5) or to answer any question which is put to him by the Investigating Authority in pursuance of that sub-section; or

(d) to sign the notes of any examination referred to in sub-section (7), he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, which may extend to one crore rupees, or with both, and also with a further fine which may extend to five lakh rupees for every day after the first during which the failure or refusal continues.

(7) Notes of any examination under sub-section (2) shall be taken down in writing and shall be read over to, or by, and signed by, the person examined, and may thereafter be used in evidence against him.

[(8) Where in the course of an investigation, the Investigating Authority has reason to believe that any person or enterprise, as the case may be, to whom a notice under sub-section (3) has been issued or might be issued,-

(a) has omitted or failed to provide the information or produce documents as required in the notice; or

(b) would not provide the information or produce documents which shall be useful for, or relevant to, the investigation; or

(c) would destroy, mutilate, alter, falsify or secrete the information or documents useful for, or relevant to, the investigation,

then, the Chairman may, after being satisfied that it is necessary to do so, authorise the Investigating Authority or any other officer of the Board (the officer so authorised in all cases being hereinafter referred to as the authorised officer), to-

(i) enter and search, with such assistance, as may be required, the building, place, vessel, vehicle or aircraft where such information or documents are expected or believed to be kept;

(ii) break open the lock of any door, box, locker, safe almirah or other receptacle for exercising the powers conferred by sub-clause (i), where the keys thereof are not available;

(iii) search any person who has got out of, or is about to get into, or is in, the building, place, vessel, vehicle or aircraft, if the authorised officer has reason to suspect that such person has secreted about his person any such books of account or other documents;

(iv) require any person who is found to be in possession or control of any books of account or other documents, maintained in the form of electronic record, to provide the authorised officer the necessary facility to inspect such books of account or other documents.

Explanation - For the purposes of this sub-clause, the expression "electronic record" shall have the meaning assigned to it in clause (t) of sub-section (1) of section 2 of the information Technology Act, 2000.

(v) seize any such books of account or other documents found as a result of such search;

(vi) place marks of identification on any books of account or other documents or make or cause to be made extracts or copies therefrom;

(vii) record on oath the statement of any person who is found to be in possession or in control of the information or documents referred to in sub-clause (i), (iii) and (iv).]

[(8A) The authorised officer may requisition the services of any police officer or any officer of the Central Government, or of both, to assist him for all or any of the purposes specified in sub-section (8) and it shall be the duty of every such officer to comply with such requisition.]

(9) After considering the application and hearing the Investigating Authority, if necessary, [the Magistrate or Judge of the Designated Court] may, by order, authorise the Investigating Authority-

(a) to enter, with such assistance, as may be required, the place or places where such books, registers, other documents and record are kept;

(b) to search that place or those places in the manner specified in the order; and

Provided that [the Magistrate or Judge of the Designated Court] shall not authorise seizure of books, registers, other documents and record, of any listed public company or a public company (not being the intermediaries specified under section 12) which intends to get its securities listed on any recognised stock exchange unless such company indulges in insider trading or market manipulation.

(10) The Investigating Authority shall keep in its custody the books, registers, other documents and record seized under this section for such period not later than the conclusion of the investigation as it considers necessary and thereafter shall return the same to the company or the other body corporate, or, as the case may be, to the managing director or the manager or any other person, from whose custody or power they were seized and inform [the Magistrate or Judge of the Designated Court] of such return:

Provided that the Investigating Authority may, before returning such books, registers, other documents and record as aforesaid, place identification marks on them or any part thereof.

(11) Save as otherwise provided in this section, every search or seizure made under this section shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), relating to searches or seizures made under that Code.

11D. Cease and desist proceedings. - If the Board finds, after causing an inquiry to be made, that any person has violated, or is likely to violate, any provisions of this Act, or any rules or regulations made thereunder, it may pass an order requiring such person to cease and desist from committing or causing such violation:

Provided that the Board shall not pass such order in respect of any listed public company or a public company (other than the intermediaries specified under section 12) which intends to get its securities listed on any recognised stock exchange unless the Board has reasonable grounds to believe that such company has indulged in insider trading or market manipulation.]

Chapter V

Registration Certificate

12. Registration of stock-brokers, sub-brokers, share transfer agents, etc. - (1) No stock-broker, sub-broker, share transfer agent, banker to an issue, trustee of trust deed, registrar to an issue, merchant banker, underwriter, portfolio manager, investment adviser and such other intermediary who may be associated with securities market shall buy, sell or deal in securities except under, and in accordance with, the conditions of a certificate of registration obtained from the Board in accordance with the [regulations] made under this Act:

Provided that a person buying or selling securities or otherwise dealing with the securities market as a stock-broker, sub-broker, share transfer agent, banker to an issue, trustee of trust deed, registrar to an issue, merchant banker, underwriter, portfolio manager, investment adviser and such other intermediary who may be associated with securities market immediately before the establishment of the Board for which no registration certificate was necessary prior to such establishment, may continue to do so for a period of three months from such establishment or, if he has made an application for such registration within the said period of three months, till the disposal of such application:

[Provided further that any certificate of registration, obtained immediately before the commencement of the Securities Laws (Amendment) Act, 1995, shall be deemed to have been obtained from the Board in accordance with the regulations providing for such registration.

(1-A) No] [depository, participant custodian] [of securities, foreign institutional investor, credit rating agency or any other intermediary associated with the securities market as the Board may by notification in this behalf specify, shall buy or sell or deal in securities except under and in accordance with the conditions of a certificate of registration obtained from the Board in accordance with the regulations made under this Act:

Provided that a person buying or selling securities or otherwise dealing with the securities market as a] [depository, participant custodian] [of securities, foreign institutional investor or credit rating agency immediately before the commencement of the Securities Laws (Amendment) Act, 1995, for which no certificate of registration was required prior to such commencement, may continue to buy or sell securities or otherwise deal with the securities market until such time regulations are made under clause (d) of sub-section (2) of section 30.

(1-B) No person shall sponsor or cause to be sponsored or carry on or cause to be carried on any venture capital funds or collective investment scheme including mutual funds, unless he obtains a certificate of registration from the Board in accordance with the regulations:

Provided that any person sponsoring or causing to be sponsored, carrying or causing to be carried on any venture capital funds or collective investment scheme operating in the securities market immediately before the commencement of the Securities Laws (Amendment) Act, 1995 for which no certificate of registration was required prior to such commencement, may continue to operate till such time regulations are made under clause (d) of sub-section (2) of section 30.]

[Explanation. - For the removal of doubts, it is hereby declared that, for the purposes of this section, a collective investment scheme or mutual fund shall not include any unit linked insurance policy or scrips or any such instrument or unit, by whatever name called, which provides a component of investment besides the component of insurance issued by an insurer.]

(2) Every application for registration shall be in such manner and on payment of such fees as may be determined by regulations.

(3) The Board may, by order, suspend or cancel a certificate of registration in such manner as may be determined by regulations:

Provided that no order under this sub-section shall be made unless the person concerned has been given a reasonable opportunity of being heard.

[Chapter V-A]

Prohibition Of Manipulative And Deceptive Devices, Insider Trading And Substantial Acquisition Of Securities Or Control

12A. Prohibition of manipulative and deceptive devices, insider trading and substantial acquisition of securities or control. - No person shall directly or indirectly-

(a) use or employ, in connection with the issue, purchase or sale of any securities listed or proposed to be listed on a recognised stock exchange, any manipulative or deceptive device or contrivance in contravention of the provisions of this Act or the rules or the regulations made thereunder;

(b) employ any device, scheme or artifice to defraud in connection with issue or dealing in securities which are listed or proposed to be listed on a recognised stock exchange;

(c) engage in any act, practice, course of business which operates or would operate as fraud or deceit upon any person, in connection with the issue, dealing in securities which are listed or proposed to be listed on a recognised stock exchange, in contravention of the provisions of this Act or the rules or the regulations made thereunder;

(d) engage in insider trading;

(e) deal in securities while in possession of material or non-public information or communicate such material or non-public information to any other person, in a manner which is in contravention of the provisions of this Act or the rules or the regulations made thereunder;

(f) acquire control of any company or securities more than the percentage of equity share capital of a company whose securities are listed or proposed to be listed on a recognised stock exchange in contravention of the regulations made under this Act.

Chapter VI

Finance, Accounts And Audit

13. Grants by the Central Government. - The Central Government may, after due appropriation made by Parliament by law in this behalf, make to the Board grants of such sums of money as that Government may think fit for being utilised for the purposes of this Act.

14. Fund. - (1) There shall be constituted a Fund to be called the Securities and Exchange Board of India General Fund and there shall be credited thereto-

(a) all grants, fees and charges received by the Board under this Act; [*]

[* * *]

(b) all sums received by the Board from such other sources as may be decided upon by the Central Government.

(2) The Fund shall be applied for meeting-

(a) the salaries, allowances and other remuneration of the members, officers and other employees of the Board;

(b) the expenses of the Board in the discharge of its functions under section 11;

[(d) the capital expenditure, as per annual capital expenditure plan approved by the Board and the Central Government.]

[(3) The Board shall constitute a Reserve Fund and twenty-five per cent. of the annual surplus of the General Fund in any year shall be credited to such Reserve Fund and such fund shall not exceed the total of annual expenditure of preceding two financial years.

(4) After incurring all the expenses referred to in sub-section (2) and transfer to Reserve Fund as specified in sub-section (3), the surplus of the General Fund shall be transferred to the Consolidated Fund of India.]

15. Accounts and audit. - (1) The Board shall maintain proper accounts and other relevant records and prepare an annual statement of accounts in such form as may be prescribed by the Central Government in consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India.

(2) The accounts of the Board shall be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India at such intervals as may be specified by him and any expenditure incurred in connection with such audit shall be payable by the Board to the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India.

(3) The Comptroller and Auditor-General of India and any other person appointed by him in connection with the audit of the accounts of the Board shall have the same rights and privileges and authority in connection with such audit as the Comptroller and Auditor-General generally has in connection with the audit of the Government accounts and, in particular, shall have the right to demand the production of books, accounts, connected vouchers and other documents and papers and to inspect any of the offices of the Board.

(4) The accounts of the Board as certified by the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India or any other person appointed by him in this behalf together with the audit report thereon shall be forwarded annually to the Central Government and that Government shall cause the same to be laid before each House of Parliament.

[Chapter VI-A]

Penalties And Adjudication

15A. Penalty for failure to furnish information, return, etc. - If any person, who is required under this Act or any rules or regulations made thereunder,-

(a) to furnish any document, return or report to the Board, fails to furnish the same [or who furnishes or files false, incorrect or incomplete information, return, report, books or other documents], he shall be liable to [a penalty [which shall not be less than one lakh rupees but which may extend to one lakh rupees for each day during which such failure continues subject to a maximum of one crore rupees] ]

(b) to file any return or furnish any information, books or other documents within the time specified therefor in the regulations, fails to file return or furnish the same within the time specified therefor in the regulations [or who furnishes or files false, incorrect or incomplete information, return, report, books or other documents], he shall be liable to [a penalty [which shall not be less than one lakh rupees but which may extend to one lakh rupees for each day during which such failure continues subject to a maximum of one crore rupees] ]

(c) to maintain books of account or records, fails to maintain the same, he shall be liable to [a penalty [which shall not be less than one lakh rupees but which may extend to one lakh rupees for each day during which such failure continues subject to a maximum of one crore rupees] ]

15B. Penalty for failure by any person to enter into agreement with clients. - If any person, who is registered as an intermediary and is required under this Act or any rules or regulations made thereunder to enter into an agreement with his client, fails to enter into such agreement, he shall be liable to [a penalty [which shall not be less than one lakh rupees but which may extend to one lakh rupees for each day during which such failure continues subject to a maximum of one crore rupees] ]

[15C. Penalty for failure to redress investors' grievances. - If any listed company or any person who is registered as an intermediary, after having been called upon by the Board in writing [including by any means of electronic communication], to redress the grievances of investors, fails to redress such grievances within the time specified by the Board, such company or intermediary shall be liable to a penalty [which shall not be less than one lakh rupees but which may extend to one lakh rupees for each day during which such failure continues subject to a maximum of one crore rupees] ]

15D. Penalty for certain defaults in case of mutual funds. - If any person, who is-

(a) required under this Act or any rules or regulations made thereunder to obtain a certificate of registration from the Board for sponsoring or carrying on any collective investment scheme, including mutual funds, sponsors or carries on any collective investment scheme, including mutual funds, without obtaining such certificate of registration, he shall be liable to [a penalty [which shall not be less than one lakh rupees but which may extend to one lakh rupees for each day during which he sponsors or carries on any such collective investment scheme including mutual funds subject to a maximum of one crore rupees]

(b) registered with the Board as a collective investment scheme, including mutual funds, for sponsoring or carrying on any investment scheme, fails to comply with the terms and conditions of certificate of registration, he shall be liable to [a penalty] [which shall not be less than one lakh rupees but which may extend to one lakh rupees for each day during which such failure continues subject to a maximum of one crore rupees]

(c) registered with the Board as a collective investment scheme including mutual funds, fails to make an application for listing of its schemes as provided for in the regulations governing such listing, he shall be liable to [a penalty] [which shall not be less than one lakh rupees but which may extend to one lakh rupees for each day during which such failure continues subject to a maximum of one crore rupees]

(d) registered as a collective investment scheme, including mutual funds, fails to despatch unit certificates of any scheme in the manner provided in the regulation governing such despatch, he shall be liable to [a penalty] [which shall not be less than one lakh rupees but which may extend to one lakh rupees for each day during which such failure continues subject to a maximum of one crore rupees]

(e) registered as a collective investment scheme, including mutual funds, fails to refund the application monies, paid by the investors within the period specified in the regulations, he shall be liable to [a penalty] [which shall not be less than one lakh rupees but which may extend to one lakh rupees for each day during which such failure continues subject to a maximum of one crore rupees]

(f) registered as a collective investment scheme, including mutual funds, fails to invest money collected by such collective investment schemes in the manner or within the period specified in the regulations, he shall be liable to a penalty [which shall not be less than one lakh rupees but which may extend to one lakh rupees for each day during which such failure continues subject to a maximum of one crore rupees] .

15E. Penalty for failure to observe rules and regulations by an asset management company. - Where any asset management company of a mutual fund registered under this Act fails to comply with any of the regulations providing for restrictions on the activities of the asset management companies, such asset management company shall be liable to [a penalty] [which shall not be less than one lakh rupees but which may extend to one lakh rupees for each day during which such failure continues subject to a maximum of one crore rupees]

[15EA. Penalty for default in case of alternative investment funds, infrastructure investment trusts and real estate investment trusts. - Where any person fails to comply with the regulations made by the Board in respect of alternative investment funds, infrastructure investment trusts and real estate investment trusts or fails to comply with the directions issued by the Board, such person shall be liable to penalty which shall not be less than one lakh rupees but which may extend to one lakh rupees for each day during which such failure continues subject to a maximum of one crore rupees or three times the amount of gains made out of such failure, whichever is higher.

15EB. Penalty for default in case of investment adviser and research analyst. - Where an investment adviser or a research analyst fails to comply with the regulations made by the Board or directions issued by the Board, such investment adviser or research analyst shall be liable to penalty which shall not be less than one lakh rupees but which may extend to one lakh rupees for each day during which such failure continues subject to a maximum of one crore rupees.]

15F. Penalty for default in case of stock brokers. - If any person, who is registered as a stock broker under this Act, -

(a) fails to issue contract notes in the form and manner specified by the stock exchange of which such broker is a member, he shall be liable to [a penalty which shall not be less than one lakh rupees but which may extend to [one crore rupees]] for which the contract note was required to be issued by that broker;

(b) fails to deliver any security or fails to make payment of the amount due to the investor in the manner within the period specified in the regulations, he shall be liable to [a penalty] [which shall not be less than one lakh rupees but which may extend to one lakh rupees for each day during which [such failure continues] subject to a maximum of one crore rupees]

(c) charges an amount of brokerage which is in excess of the brokerage specified in the regulations, he shall be liable to [a penalty of one lakh rupees] or five times the amount [which shall not be less than one lakh rupees but which may extend to five times the amount of brokerage] whichever is higher.

15G. Penalty for insider trading. - If any insider who,-

(i) either on his own behalf or on behalf of any other person, deals in securities of a body corporate listed on any stock exchange on the basis of any unpublished price sensitive information; or

(ii) communicates any unpublished price sensitive information to any person with or without his request for such information except as required in the ordinary course of business or under any law; or

(iii) counsels, or procures for any other person to deal in any securities of any body corporate on the basis of unpublished price sensitive information, shall be liable to a penalty [which shall not be less than ten lakh rupees but which may extend to twenty-five crore rupees or three times the amount of profits made out of insider trading, whichever is higher] .

15H. Penalty for non-disclosure of acquisition of shares and takeovers. - If any person, who is required under this Act or any rules or regulations made thereunder, fails to-

(i) disclose the aggregate of his shareholding in the body corporate before he acquires any shares of that body corporate; or

(ii) make a public announcement to acquire shares at a minimum price;

[(iii) make a public offer by sending letter of offer to the shareholders of the concerned company; or

(iv) make payment of consideration to the shareholders who sold their shares pursuant to letter of offer,] he shall be liable to a penalty [which shall not be less than ten lakh rupees but which may extend to twenty-five crore rupees or three times the amount of profits made out of such failure, whichever is higher] .

[15HA. Penalty for fraudulent and unfair trade practices. - If any person indulges in fraudulent and unfair trade practices relating to securities, he shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding [which shall not be less than five lakh rupees but which may extend to twenty-five crore rupees or three times the amount of profits made out of such practices, whichever is higher] .

[15HAA. Penalty for alteration, destruction, etc., of records and failure to protect the electronic database of Board. - Any person, who-

(a) knowingly alters, destroys, mutilates, conceals, falsifies, or makes a false entry in any information, record, document (including electronic records), which is required under this Act or any rules or regulations made thereunder, so as to impede, obstruct, or influence the investigation, inquiry, audit, inspection or proper administration of any matter within the jurisdiction of the Board.

Explanation. - For the purposes of this clause, a person shall be deemed to have altered, concealed or destroyed such information, record or document, in case he knowingly fails to immediately report the matter to the Board or fails to preserve the same till such information continues to be relevant to any investigation, inquiry, audit, inspection or proceeding, which may be initiated by the Board and conclusion thereof;

(b) without being authorised to do so, access or tries to access, or denies of access or modifies access parameters, to the regulatory data in the database;

(c) without being authorised to do so, downloads, extracts, copies, or reproduces in any form the regulatory data maintained in the system database;

(d) knowingly introduces any computer virus or other computer contaminant into the system database and brings out a trading halt;

(e) without authorisation disrupts the functioning of system database;

(f) knowingly damages, destroys, deletes, alters, diminishes in value or utility, or affects by any means, the regulatory data in the system database; or

(g) knowingly provides any assistance to or causes any other person to do any of the acts specified in clauses (a) to (f), shall be liable to a penalty which shall not be less than one lakh rupees but which may extend to ten crore rupees or three times the amount of profits made out of such act, whichever is higher.

Explanation. - In this section, the expressions "computer contaminant", "computer virus" and "damage" shall have the meanings respectively assigned to them under section 43 of the Information Technology Act, 2000.]

15HB. Penalty for contravention where no separate penalty has been provided. - Whoever fails to comply with any provision of this Act, the rules or the regulations made or directions issued by the Board thereunder for which no separate penalty has been provided, shall be [liable to a penalty which shall not be less than one lakh rupees but which may extend to one crore rupees] .]

15I. Power to adjudicate. - (1) For the purpose of adjudging under sections 15-A, 15-B, 15-C, 15-D, 15-E, [15EA, 15EB,] 15-F, 15-G, [15-H, 15-HA and 15-HB] , the Board [may] appoint any officer not below the rank of a Division Chief to be an adjudicating officer for holding an inquiry in the prescribed manner after giving any person concerned a reasonable opportunity of being heard for the purpose of imposing any penalty.

(2) While holding an inquiry the adjudicating officer shall have power to summon and enforce the attendance of any person acquainted with the facts and circumstances of the case to give evidence or to produce any document which in the opinion of the adjudicating officer, may be useful for or relevant to the subject matter of the inquiry and if, on such inquiry, he is satisfied that the person has failed to comply with the provisions of any of the sections specified in sub-section (1), he may impose such penalty as he thinks fit in accordance with the provisions of any of those sections.

[(3) The Board may call for and examine the record of any proceedings under this section and if it considers that the order passed by the adjudicating officer is erroneous to the extent it is not in the interests of the securities market, it may, after making or causing to be made such inquiry as it deems necessary, pass an order enhancing the quantum of penalty, if the circumstances of the case so justify:

Provided that no such order shall be passed unless the person concerned has been given an opportunity of being heard in the matter:

Provided further that nothing contained in this sub-section shall be applicable after an expiry of a period of three months from the date of the order passed by the adjudicating officer or disposal of the appeal under section 15T, whichever is earlier.]

15J. [Factors to be taken into account while adjudging quantum of penalty.] - While adjudging the quantum of penalty under [15-I or section 11 or section 11B, the Board or the adjudicating officer] shall have due regard to the following factors, namely:-

(a) the amount of disproportionate gain or unfair advantage, wherever quantifiable, made as a result of the default;

(b) the amount of loss caused to an investor or group of investors as a result of the default;

[15JA. Crediting sum realised by way of penalties to Consolidated Fund of India. - All sums realised by way of penalties under this Act shall be credited to the Consolidated Fund of India.]

[15JB. Settlement of administrative and civil proceedings. - (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, any person, against whom any proceedings have been initiated or may be initiated under section 11, section 11B, section 11D, sub-section (3) of section 12 or section 15-I, may file an application in writing to the Board proposing for settlement of the proceedings initiated or to be initiated for the alleged defaults.

(2) The Board may, after taking into consideration the nature, gravity and impact of defaults, agree to the proposal for settlement, on payment of such sum by the defaulter or on such other terms as may be determined by the Board in accordance with the regulations made under this Act.

(3) The settlement proceedings under this section shall be conducted in accordance with the procedure specified in the regulations made under this Act.

(4) No appeal shall lie under section 15T against any order passed by the Board or adjudicating officer, as the case may be, under this section.]

[(5) All settlement amounts, excluding the disgorgement amount and legal costs, realised under this Act shall be credited to the Consolidated Fund of India.]

Chapter VI-B

Establishment, Jurisdiction, Authority And Procedure Of Appellate Tribunal

15K. Establishment of Securities Appellate Tribunals. - (1) The Central Government shall by notification, establish one or more Appellate Tribunals to be known as the Securities Appellate Tribunal to exercise the jurisdiction, powers and authority conferred on such Tribunal by or under this Act [or any other law for the time being in force.]

(2) The Central Government shall also specify in the notification referred to in sub-section (1) the matters and places in relation to which the Securities Appellate Tribunal may exercise jurisdiction.

[15L. Composition of Securities Appellate Tribunal. - A Securities Appellate Tribunal shall consist of a Presiding Officer and two other Members, to be appointed, by notification, by the Central Government:

Provided that the Securities Appellate Tribunal, consisting of one person only, established before the commencement of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Amendment) Act, 2002, shall continue to exercise the jurisdiction, powers and authority conferred on it by or under this Act or any other law for the time being in force till two other Members are appointed under this section.

15M. Qualification for appointment as Presiding Officer or Member of Securities Appellate Tribunal. - [(1) A person shall not be qualified for appointment as the Presiding Officer of the Securities Appellate Tribunal unless he-

(a) is a sitting or retired Judge of the Supreme Court or a sitting or retired Chief Justice of a High Court; or

(b) is a sitting or retired Judge of a High Court who has completed not less than seven years of service as a Judge in a High Court.

(1A) The Presiding Officer of the Securities Appellate Tribunal shall be appointed by the Central Government in consultation with the Chief Justice of India or his nominee.]

(2) A person shall not be qualified for appointment as Member of a Securities Appellate Tribunal unless he is a person of ability, integrity and standing who has shown capacity in dealing with problems relating to securities market and has qualification and experience of corporate law, securities laws, finance, economics or accountancy:

Provided that a member of the Board or any person holding a post at senior management level equivalent to Executive Director in the Board shall not be appointed as Presiding Officer or Member of a Securities Appellate Tribunal during his service or tenure as such with the Board or within two years from the date on which he ceases to hold office as such in the Board.]

[15N. Tenure of office of Presiding Officer and other Members of Securities Appellate Tribunal. - The Presiding Officer and every other Member of a Securities Appellate Tribunal shall hold office for a term of five years from the date on which he enters upon his office and shall be eligible for re-appointment:

Provided that no person shall hold office as the Presiding Officer of the Securities Appellate Tribunal after he has attained the age of sixty-eight years:

Provided further that no person shall hold office as a Member of the Securities Appellate Tribunal after he has attained the age of sixty-two years.]

15O. Salary and allowances and other terms and conditions of service of Presiding Officers. - The salary and allowances payable to and the other terms and conditions of service (including pension, gratuity and other retirement benefits) of, the [Presiding Officer and other Members of a Securities Appellate Tribunal] shall be such as may be prescribed:

Provided that neither the salary and allowances nor the other terms and conditions of service of the [Presiding Officer and other Members of a Securities Appellate Tribunal] shall be varied to their disadvantage after appointment.

15P. Filling up of vacancies. - If, for reason other than temporary absence, any vacancy occurs in [the office of the Presiding Officer or any other Member,] of a Securities Appellate Tribunal, then the Central Government shall appoint another person in accordance with the provisions of this Act to fill the vacancy and the proceedings may be continued before the Securities Appellate Tribunal from the stage at which the vacancy is filled.

15Q. Resignation and removal. - (1) [The Presiding Officer or any other Member of a Securities Appellate Tribunal] may, by notice in writing under his hand addressed to the Central Government, resign his office:

Provided that the [Presiding Officer or any other Member] shall, unless he is permitted by the Central Government to relinquish his office sooner, continue to hold office until the expiry of three months from the date of receipt of such notice or until a person duly appointed as his successor enters upon his office or until the expiry of his term of office, whichever is the earliest.

(2) The [Presiding Officer or any other Member] of a Securities Appellate Tribunal shall not be removed from his office except by an order by the Central Government on the ground of proved misbehaviour or incapacity after an inquiry made by a Judge of the Supreme Court, in which the [Presiding Officer or any other Member] concerned has been informed of the charges against him and given a reasonable opportunity of being heard in respect of these charges.

(3) The Central Government may, by rules, regulate the procedure for the investigation of misbehaviour or incapacity of [the Presiding Officer or any other Member] .

[15QA. Qualifications, terms and conditions of service of Presiding Officer and Member. - Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, the qualifications, appointment, term of office, salaries and allowances, resignation, removal and the other terms and conditions of service of the Presiding Officer and other Members of the Appellate Tribunal appointed after the commencement of [the Tribunal Reforms Act, 2021, shall be governed by the provisions of Chapter II of the said Act]:

Provided that the Presiding Officer and Member appointed before the commencement of Part XIV of Chapter VI of the Finance Act, 2017, shall continue to be governed by the provisions of this Act and the rules made thereunder as if the provisions of section 184 of the Finance Act, 2017 had not come into force.]

15R. Orders constituting Appellate Tribunal to be final and not to invalidate its proceedings. - No order of the Central Government appointing any person as the [Presiding Officer or a Member] of a Securities Appellate Tribunal shall be called in question in any manner, and no act or proceeding before a Securities Appellate Tribunal shall be called in question in any manner on the ground merely of any defect in the constitution of a Securities Appellate Tribunal.

15S. Staff of the Securities Appellate Tribunal. - (1) The Central Government shall provide the Securities Appellate Tribunal with such officers and employees as that Government may think fit.

(2) The officers and employees of the Securities Appellate Tribunal shall discharge their functions under general superintendence of the Presiding Officer.

(3) The salaries and allowances and other conditions of service of the officers and employees of the Securities Appellate Tribunal shall be such as may be prescribed.

15T. Appeal to the Securities Appellate Tribunal. - [(1) Save as provided in sub-section (2), any person aggrieved,-

(a) by an order of the Board made, on and after the commencement of the Securities Laws (Second Amendment) Act, 1999, under this Act, or the rules or regulations made thereunder; or

(b) by an order made by an adjudicating officer under this Act, may prefer an appeal to a Securities Appellate Tribunal having jurisdiction in the matter.

(2) [***]

(3) Every appeal under sub-section (1) shall be filed within a period of forty-five days from the date on which [a copy of the order made by the Board or the adjudicating officer, as the case may be,] is received by him and it shall be in such form and be accompanied by such fee as may be prescribed:

Provided that the Securities Appellate Tribunal may entertain an appeal after the expiry of the said period of forty-five days if it is satisfied that there was sufficient cause for not filing it within that period.

(4) On receipt of an appeal under sub-section (1), the Securities Appellate Tribunal may, after giving the parties to the appeal, an opportunity of being heard, pass such orders thereon as it thinks fit, confirming, modifying or setting aside the order appealed against.

(5) The Securities Appellate Tribunal shall send a copy of every order made by it to the [Board, the parties] to the appeal and to the concerned adjudicating officer.

(6) The appeal filed before the Securities Appellate Tribunal under sub-section (1) shall be dealt with by it as expeditiously as possible and endeavour shall be made by it to dispose of the appeal finally within six months from the date of receipt of the appeal.

15U. Procedure and powers of the Securities Appellate Tribunal. - The Securities Appellate Tribunal shall not be bound by the procedure laid down by the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908), but shall be guided by the principles of natural justice and, subject to the other provisions of this Act and of any rules, the Securities Appellate Tribunal shall have powers to regulate their own procedure including the places at which they shall have their sittings.

(2) The Securities Appellate Tribunal shall have, for the purposes of discharging their functions under this Act, the same powers as are vested in a civil Court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908), while trying a suit, in respect of the following matters, namely:-

(a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath;

(b) requiring the discovery and production of documents;

(d) issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses or documents;

(e) reviewing its decisions;

(f) dismissing an application for default or deciding it ex parte ;

(g) setting aside any order of dismissal of any application for default or any order passed by it ex parte ;

(h) any other matter which may be prescribed.

(3) Every proceeding before the Securities Appellate Tribunal shall be deemed to be a judicial proceeding within the meaning of sections 193 and 228, and for the purposes of section 196 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860) and the Securities Appellate Tribunal shall be deemed to be a civil Court for all the purposes of section 195 and Chapter XXVI of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974).

[15V. Right to legal representation. - The appellant may either appear in person or authorise one or more legal chartered accountants or company secretaries or cost accountants or legal practitioners or any of its officers to present his or its case before the Securities Appellate Tribunal.

Explanation. - For the purposes of this section,-

(a) "chartered accountant" means a chartered accountant as defined in clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 2 of the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949 (38 of 1949) and who has obtained a certificate of practice under sub-section (1) of section 6 of that Act;

(b) "company secretary" means a company secretary as defined in clause (c) of sub-section (1) of section 2 of the Company Secretaries Act, 1980 (56 of 1980) and who has obtained a certificate of practice under sub-section (1) of section 6 of that Act;

(c) "cost accountant" means a cost accountant as defined in clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 2 of the Cost and Works Accountants Act, 1959 (23 of 1959) and who has obtained a certificate of practice under sub-section (1) of section 6 of that Act;

(d) "legal practitioner" means an advocate, vakil or an attorney of any High Court, and includes a pleader in practice.]

15W. Limitation. - The provisions of the Limitation Act, 1963, shall, as far as may be, apply to an appeal made to a Securities Appellate Tribunal.

[15X. Presiding Officer, Members and Staff of Securities Appellate Tribunals to be public servants. - The Presiding Officer, Members and other officers and employees of a Securities Appellate Tribunal shall be deemed to be public servants within the meaning of section 21 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860).]

15Y. Civil Court not to have jurisdiction. - No civil Court shall have jurisdiction to entertain any suit or proceeding in respect of any matter which an adjudicating officer appointed under this Act or a Securities Appellate Tribunal constituted under this Act is empowered by or under this Act to determine and no injunction shall be granted by any Court or other authority in respect of any action taken or to be taken in pursuance of any power conferred by or under this Act.

[15Z. Appeal to Supreme Court. - Any person aggrieved by any decision or order of the Securities Appellate Tribunal may file an appeal to the Supreme Court within sixty days from the date of communication of the decision or order of the Securities Appellate Tribunal to him on any question of law arising out of such order:

Provided that the Supreme Court may, if it is satisfied that the applicant was prevented by sufficient cause from filing the appeal within the said period, allow it to be filed within a further period not exceeding sixty days.]

Chapter VII

Miscellaneous

16. Power of Central Government to issue directions. - (1) Without prejudice to the foregoing provisions of [this Act or the Depositories Act, 1996] , the Board shall, in exercise of its powers or the performance of its functions under this Act, be bound by such directions on questions of policy as the Central Government may give in writing to it from time to time:

Provided that the Board shall, as far as practicable, be given an opportunity to express its views before any direction is given under this sub-section.

(2) The decision of the Central Government whether a question is one of policy or not shall be final.

Provided that no such order shall be passed unless the person concerned has been given an opportunity of being heard in the matter:

17. Power of Central Government to supersede the Board. - (1) If at any time the Central Government is of opinion-

(a) that on account of grave emergency, the Board is unable to discharge the functions and duties imposed on it by or under the provisions of this Act; or

(b) that the Board has persistently made default in complying with any direction issued by the Central Government under this Act or in the discharge of the functions and duties imposed on it by or under the provisions of this Act and as a result of such default the financial position of the Board or the administration of the Board has deteriorated; or

(c) that circumstances exist which render it necessary in the public interest so to do, the Central Government may, by notification, supersede the Board for such period, not exceeding six months, as may be specified in the notification.

(2) Upon the publication of a notification under sub-section (1) superseding the Board,-

(a) all the members shall, as from the date of supersession, vacate their offices as such;

(b) all the powers, functions and duties which may, by or under the provisions of this Act, be exercised or discharged by or on behalf of the Board, shall until the Board is reconstituted under sub-section (3), be exercised and discharged by such person or persons as the Central Government may direct; and

(c) all property owned or controlled by the Board shall, until the Board is reconstituted under sub-section (3), vest in the Central Government.

(3) On the expiration of the period of supersession specified in the notification issued under sub-section (1), the Central Government may reconstitute the Board by a fresh appointment and in such case any person or persons who vacated their offices under clause (a) of sub-section (2), shall not be deemed disqualified for appointment:

Provided that the Central Government may, at any time, before the expiration of the period of supersession, take action under this sub-section.

(4) The Central Government shall cause a notification issued under sub-section (1) and a full report of any action taken under this section and the circumstances leading to such action to be laid before each House of Parliament at the earliest.

18. Returns and reports. - (1) The Board shall furnish to the Central Government at such time and in such form and manner as may be prescribed or as the Central Government may direct, such returns and statements and such particulars in regard to any proposed or existing programme for the promotion and development of the securities market, as the Central Government may, from time to time, require.

(2) Without prejudice to the provisions of sub-section (1), the Board shall, within [ninety days] after the end of each financial year, submit to the Central Government a report in such form, as may be prescribed, giving a true and full account of its activities, policy and programmes during the previous financial year.

(3) A copy of the report received under sub-section (2) shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is received, before each House of Parliament.

19. Delegation. - The Board may, by general or special order in writing delegate to any member, officer of the Board or any other person subject to such conditions, if any, as may be specified in the order, such of its powers and functions under this Act (except the powers under section 29) as it may deem necessary.

20. Appeals. - (1) Any person aggrieved by [an order of the Board made, before the commencement of the Securities Laws (Second Amendment) Act, 1999,] under this Act, or the rules or regulations made thereunder may prefer an appeal to the Central Government within such time as may be prescribed.

(2) No appeal shall be admitted if it is preferred after the expiry of the period prescribed therefor:

Provided that an appeal may be admitted after the expiry of the period prescribed therefor if the appellant satisfies the Central Government that he had sufficient cause for not preferring the appeal within the prescribed period.

(3) Every appeal made under this section shall be made in such form and shall be accompanied by a copy of the order appealed against and by such fees as may be prescribed.

(4) The procedure for disposing of an appeal shall be such as may be prescribed:

Provided that before disposing of an appeal, the appellant shall be given a reasonable opportunity of being heard.

[20A. Bar of jurisdiction. - No order passed by the] [Board or the adjudicating officer] [under this Act shall be appealable except as provided in] [section 15-T or section 20] [and no civil Court shall have jurisdiction in respect of any matter which the Board is empowered by, or under, this Act to pass any order and no injunction shall be granted by any Court or other authority in respect of any action taken or to be taken in pursuance of any order passed by the Board by, or under, this Act.]

21. Savings. - Nothing in this Act shall exempt any person from any suit or other proceedings which might, apart from this Act, be brought against him.

22. Members, officers and employees of the Board to be public servants. - All members, officers and other employees of the Board shall be deemed, when acting or purporting to act in pursuance of any of the provisions of this Act, to be public servants within the meaning of section 21 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860).

23. Protection of action taken in good faith. - No suit, prosecution or other legal proceedings shall lie against the Central Government [or Board] or any officer of the Central Government or any member, officer or other employee of the Board for anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done under this Act or the rules or regulations made thereunder.

[24. Offences. - (1) Without prejudice to any award of penalty by the adjudicating officer [or the Board] under this Act, if any person contravenes or attempts to contravene or abets the contravention of the provisions of this Act or of any rules or regulations made thereunder, he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to] [ten years, or with fine, which may extend to twenty-five crore rupees or with both] .

[(2) If any person fails to pay the penalty imposed by the adjudicating officer [or the Board] or fails to comply with any [***] directions or orders, he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than one month but which may extend to] [ten years or with fine, which may extend to twenty-five crore rupees or with both] .

[24A. Composition of certain offences. - Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), any offence punishable under this Act, not being an offence punishable with imprisonment only, or with imprisonment and also with fine, may either before or after the institution of any proceeding, be compounded by a Securities Appellate Tribunal or a Court before which such proceedings are pending.

24B. Power to grant immunity. - (1) The Central Government may, on recommendation by the Board, if the Central Government is satisfied, that any person, who is alleged to have violated any of the provisions of this Act or the rules or the regulations made thereunder, has made a full and true disclosure in respect of the alleged violation, grant to such person, subject to such conditions as it may think fit to impose, immunity from prosecution for any offence under this Act, or the rules or the regulations made thereunder or also from the imposition of any penalty under this Act with respect to the alleged violation:

Provided that no such immunity shall be granted by the Central Government in cases where the proceedings for the prosecution for any such offence have been instituted before the date of receipt of application for grant of such immunity:

Provided further that recommendation of the Board under this sub-section shall not be binding upon the Central Government.

(2) An immunity granted to a person under sub-section (1) may, at any time, be withdrawn by the Central Government, if it is satisfied that such person had, in the course of the proceedings, not complied with the condition on which the immunity was granted or had given false evidence, and thereupon such person may be tried for the offence with respect to which the immunity was granted or for any other offence of which he appears to have been guilty in connection with the contravention and shall also become liable to the imposition of any penalty under this Act to which such person would have been liable, had not such immunity been granted.]

25. Exemption from tax on wealth and income. - Notwithstanding anything contained in the Wealth-tax Act, 1957, the Income-tax Act, 1961, or any other enactment for the time being in force relating to tax on wealth, income, profits or gains-

(a) the Board;

(b) the existing Securities and Exchange Board from the date of its constitution to the date of establishment of the Board, shall not be liable to pay wealth-tax, income-tax or any other tax in respect of their wealth, income, profits or gains derived.

26. Cognizance of offences by Courts. - (1) No Court shall take cognizance of any offence punishable under this Act or any rules or regulations made thereunder, save on a complaint made by the Board, [* * * *] .

(2) [***]

[26A. Establishment of Special Courts. - (1) The Central Government may, for the purpose of providing speedy trial of offences under this Act, by notification, establish or designate as many Special Courts as may be necessary.

(2) A Special Court shall consist of a single judge who shall be appointed by the Central Government with the concurrence of the Chief Justice of the High Court within whose jurisdiction the judge to be appointed is working.

(3) A person shall not be qualified for appointment as a judge of a Special Court unless he is, immediately before such appointment, holding the office of a Sessions Judge or an Additional Sessions Judge, as the case may be.

26B. Offences triable by Special Courts. - Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, all offences under this Act committed prior to the date of commencement of the Securities Laws (Amendment) Act, 2014 or on or after the date of such commencement, shall be taken cognizance of and tried by the Special Court established for the area in which the offence is committed or where there are more Special Courts than one for such area, by such one of them as may be specified in this behalf by the High Court concerned.

26C. Appeal and revision. - The High Court may exercise, so far as may be applicable, all the powers conferred by Chapters XXIX and XXX of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 on a High Court, as if a Special Court within the local limits of the jurisdiction of the High Court were a Court of Session trying cases within the local limits of the jurisdiction of the High Court.

26D. Application of Code to proceedings before Special Court. - (1) Save as otherwise provided in this Act, the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 shall apply to the proceedings before a Special Court and for the purposes of the said provisions, the Special Court shall be deemed to be a Court of Session and the person conducting prosecution before a Special Court shall be deemed to be a Public Prosecutor within the meaning of clause (u) of section 2 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.

(2) The person conducting prosecution referred to in sub-section (1) should have been in practice as an advocate for not less than seven years or should have held a post, for a period of not less than seven years, under the Union or a State, requiring special knowledge of law.

26E. Transitional provisions. - Any offence committed under this Act, which is triable by a Special Court shall, until a Special Court is established, be taken cognizance of and tried by a Court of Session exercising jurisdiction over the area, notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973:

Provided that nothing contained in this section shall affect the powers of the High Court under section 407 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 to transfer any case or class of cases taken cognizance by a Court of Session under this section.]

27. [Contravention by companies.] - (1) Where [a contravention of any of the provisions of this Act or any rule, regulation, direction or order made thereunder] has been committed by a company, every person who at the time the offence was in charge of, and was responsible to, the company for the conduct of the business of the company, as well as the company, shall be deemed to be guilty of the [contravention] and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly:

Provided that nothing contained in this sub-section shall render any such person liable to any punishment provided in this Act, if he proves that the [contravention] was committed without his knowledge or that he had exercised all due diligence to prevent the commission of such [contravention].

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), where an [contravention] under this Act has been committed by a company and it is proved that the [contravention] has been committed with the consent or connivance of, or is attributable to any neglect on the part of, any director, manager, secretary or other officer of the company, such director, manager, secretary or other officer shall also be deemed to be guilty of the [contravention] and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.

Explanation. - For the purposes of this section,-

(a) "company" means any body corporate and includes a firm or other association of individuals; and

(b) "director" , in relation to a firm, means a partner in the firm.

28. Power to exempt. - [ Omitted by the Securities Laws (Amendment) Act, 1995 (9 of 1995), section 15 (w.r.e.f.25-1-1995).]

[28A. Recovery of amounts. - (1) If a person fails to pay the penalty imposed [under this Act] or fails to comply with any direction of the Board for refund of monies or fails to comply with a direction of disgorgement order issued under section 11B or fails to pay any fees due to the Board, the Recovery Officer may draw up under his signature a statement in the specified form specifying the amount due from the person (such statement being hereafter in this Chapter referred to as certificate) and shall proceed to recover from such person the amount specified in the certificate by one or more of the following modes, namely:-

(a) attachment and sale of the person's movable property;

(b) attachment of the person's bank accounts;

(d) arrest of the person and his detention in prison;

(e) appointing a receiver for the management of the person's movable and immovable properties,

and for this purpose, the provisions of sections 220 to 227, 228A, 229, 232, the Second and Third Schedules to the Income-tax Act, 1961(43 of 1961) and the Income-tax (Certificate Proceedings) Rules, 1962, as in force from time to time, in so far as may be, apply with necessary modifications as if the said provisions and the rules made thereunder were the provisions of this Act and referred to the amount due under this Act instead of to income-tax under the Income-tax Act, 1961.

Explanation 1. - For the purposes of this sub-section, the person's movable or immovable property or monies held in bank accounts shall include any property or monies held in bank accounts which has been transferred directly or indirectly on or after the date when the amount specified in certificate had become due, by the person to his spouse or minor child or son's wife or son's minor child, otherwise than for adequate consideration, and which is held by, or stands in the name of, any of the persons aforesaid; and so far as the movable or immovable property or monies held in bank accounts so transferred to his minor child or his son's minor child is concerned, it shall, even after the date of attainment of majority by such minor child or son's minor child, as the case may be, continue to be included in the person's movable or immovable property or monies held in bank accounts for recovering any amount due from the person under this Act.

Explanation 2. - Any reference under the provisions of the Second and Third Schedules to the Income-tax Act, 1961(43 of 1961) and the Income-tax (Certificate Proceedings)Rules, 1962 to the assessee shall be construed as a reference to the person specified in the certificate.

Explanation 3. - Any reference to appeal in Chapter XVIID and the Second Schedule to the Income-tax Act, 1961(43 of 1961), shall be construed as a reference to appeal before the Securities Appellate Tribunal under section 15T of this Act.

[Explanation 4. - The interest referred to in section 220 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 shall commence from the date the amount became payable by the person.]

(2) The Recovery Officer shall be empowered to seek the assistance of the local district administration while exercising the powers under sub-section (1).

(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, the recovery of amounts by a Recovery Officer under sub-section (1), pursuant to non-compliance with any direction issued by the Board under section 11B, shall have precedence over any other claim against such person.

(4) For the purposes of sub-sections (1), (2) and (3), the expression "Recovery Officer" means any officer of the Board who may be authorised, by general or special order in writing, to exercise the powers of a Recovery Officer.]

[28B. Continuance of proceedings. - (1) Where a person dies, his legal representative shall be liable to pay any sum which the deceased would have been liable to pay, if he had not died, in the like manner and to the same extent as the deceased:

Provided that, in case of any penalty payable under this Act, a legal representative shall be liable only in case the penalty has been imposed before the death of the deceased person.

(2) For the purposes of sub-section (1), -

(a) any proceeding for disgorgement, refund or an action for recovery before the Recovery Officer under this Act, except a proceeding for levy of penalty, initiated against the deceased before his death, shall be deemed to have been initiated against the legal representative, and may be continued against the legal representative from the stage at which it stood on the date of the death of the deceased and all the provisions of this Act shall apply accordingly;

(b) any proceeding for disgorgement, refund or an action for recovery before the Recovery Officer under this Act, except a proceeding for levy of penalty, which could have been initiated against the deceased if he had survived, may be initiated against the legal representative and all the provisions of this Act shall apply accordingly.

(3) Every legal representative shall be personally liable for any sum payable by him in his capacity as legal representative if, while his liability for such sum remains undischarged, he creates a charge on or disposes of or parts with any assets of the estate of the deceased, which are in, or may come into, his possession, but such liability shall be limited to the value of the asset so charged, disposed of or parted with.

(4) The liability of a legal representative under this section shall be limited to the extent to which the estate of the deceased is capable of meeting the liability.

Explanation. - For the purposes of this section "legal representative" means a person who in law represents the estate of a deceased person, and includes any person who intermeddles with the estate of the deceased and where a party sues or is sued in a representative character, the person on whom the estate devolves on the death of the party so suing or sued.]

[28C. Powers of Board not to apply to International Financial Services Centre. - Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, the powers exercisable by the Board under this Act, -

(a) shall not extend to an International Financial Services Centre set up under sub-section (1) of section 18 of the Special Economic Zones Act, 2005;

(b) shall be exercisable by the International Financial Services Centres Authority established under sub-section (1) of section 4 of the International Financial Services Centres Authority Act, 2019,

in so far as regulation of financial products, financial services and financial institutions that are permitted in the International Financial Services Centres are concerned.]

29. Power to make rules. - (1) The Central Government may, by notification, make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act.

(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:-

(a) the term of office and other conditions of service of the Chairman and the members under sub-section (1) of section 5;

(b) the additional functions that may be performed by the Board under section 11;

[* * *]

(d) the manner in which the accounts of the Board shall be maintained under section 15;

[(da) the manner of inquiry under sub-section (1) of section 15-I;

(db) the salaries and allowances and other terms and conditions of service of the] [Presiding Officers, Members] [and other officers and employees of the Securities Appellate Tribunal under section 15-O and sub-section (3) of section 15-S;

(dc) the procedure for the investigation of misbehaviour or incapacity of the] [Presiding Officers, or other Members] [of the Securities Appellate Tribunals under sub-section (3) of section 15-Q;

(dd) the form in which an appeal may be filed before the Securities Appellate Tribunal under section 15-T and the fees payable in respect of such appeal;]

(e) the form and the manner in which returns and report to be made to the Central Government under section 18;

(f) any other matter which is to be, or may be, prescribed, or in respect of which provision is to be, or may be, made by rules.

30. Power to make regulations. - (1) The Board may, [* * *] by notification, make regulations consistent with this Act and the rules made thereunder to carry out the purposes of this Act.

(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such regulations may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:-

(a) the times and places of meetings of the Board and the procedure to be followed at such meetings under sub-section (1) of section 7 including the quorum necessary for the transaction of business;

(b) the term and other conditions of service of officers and employees of the Board under sub-section (2) of section 9;

[(c) the matters relating to issue of capital, transfer of securities and other matters incidental thereto and the manner in which such matters shall be disclosed by the companies under section 11-A;

[(ca) the utilisation of the amount credited under sub-section (5) of section 11;

(cb) the fulfilment of other conditions relating to collective investment scheme under sub-section (2A) of section 11AA

(cc) the procedure to be followed by the authorised officer for search or seizure under sub-section (9) of section 11C;]

(d) the conditions subject to which certificate of registration is to be issued, the amount of fee to be paid for certificate of registration and the manner of suspension or cancellation of certificate of registration under section 12.]

[(da) the terms determined by the Board for settlement of proceedings under sub-section (2) and the procedure for conducting of settlement proceedings under sub-section (3) of section 15JB;

(db) any other matter which is required to be, or may be, specified by regulations or in respect of which provision is to be made by regulations.]

31. Rules and regulations to be laid before Parliament. - Every rule and every regulation made under this Act shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each House of Parliament, while it is in session, for a total period of thirty days which may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session immediately following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid, both houses agree in making any modification in the rule or regulation or both Houses agree that the rule or regulation should not be made, the rule or regulation shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; so, however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that rule or regulation.

32. Application of other laws not barred. - The provisions of this Act shall be in addition to, and not in derogation of, the provisions of any other law for the time being in force.

33. Amendment of certain enactments. - The enactments specified in Parts I and II of the Schedule to this Act shall be amended in the manner specified therein and such amendments shall take effect on the date of establishment of the Board.

34. Power to remove difficulties. - (1) If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of this Act, the Central Government may, by order, published in the Official Gazette, make such provisions not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act as may appear to be necessary for removing the difficulty:

Provided that no order shall be made under this section after the expiry of five years from the commencement of this Act.

(2) Every order made under this section shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each House of Parliament.

[34A. Any act or thing done or purporting to have been done under the principal Act, in respect of calling for information from, or furnishing information to, other authorities, whether in India or outside India, having functions similar to those of the Board and in respect of settlement of administrative and civil proceedings, shall, for all purposes, be deemed to be valid and effective as if the amendments made to the principal Act had been in force at all material times.]

35. Repeal and saving. - (1) The Securities and Exchange Board of India Ordinance, 1992, is hereby repealed.

(2) Notwithstanding such repeal, anything done or any action taken under the said Ordinance, shall be deemed to have been done or taken under the corresponding provisions of this Act.

The Schedule

[See section 33]

Amendment of Certain Enactments

Part I

Amendment to the Capital Issues (Control) Act, 1947 (29 of 1947)

In section 10 for "to that Government" substitute "to that Government or the Securities and Exchange Board of India".

Part II

Amendments to the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956 (42 of 1956)

1. Section 2 in clause (h) for sub-clause (ii), substitute the following :-

"(ii) Government securities;

(iia) such other instruments as may be declared by the Central Government to be securities; and".

2. Section 6,-

(i) in sub -section (1), for "Central Government", substitute "Securities and Exchange Board of India";

(ii) in sub -section (2) for "by the Central Government", substitute "by the Securities and Exchange Board of India".

(iii) in sub -section (3), for "Central Government", wherever it occurs, substitute "Securities and Exchange Board of India";

3. Section 9, for "Central Government" wherever it occurs, substitute "Securities and Exchange Board of India";

4. Section 10, for "Central Government" wherever it occurs, substitute "Securities and Exchange Board of India";

5. Section 17, in sub-section (1), for "licence granted by the Central Government", substitute "licence granted by the Securities and Exchange Board of India";

6. Section 21 for "Central Government", substitute "Securities and Exchange Board of India";

7. Section 22A, in sub -section (3), for clause (b), substitute the following -

"(b) that the transfer of the securities is in contravention of any law or rules made thereunder or any administrative instructions or conditions of listing agreement laid down in pursuance of such laws and rules.";

8. In sub-section (2) of section 23, for "Central Government under section 21 or section 22", substitute "Securities and Exchange Board of India under section 21 or the Central Government under section 22";

9. After section 29 insert the following :

"29A. Power to delegate. - The Central Government may, by order published in the Official Gazette, direct that the powers exercisable by it under any provision of this Act shall, in relation to such matters and subject to such conditions, if any as may be specified in order, be excusable also by the Securities and Exchange Board of India."


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