ICICI Bank faces criticism over alleged pressure on ICICI Securities’ minority shareholders for delisting – Newz9

- Advertisement -

ICICI Bank underneath hearth! ICICI Bank is going through criticism for allegedly pressuring minority shareholders of ICICI Securities (I-Sec) to again the financial institution’s proposal to delist its broking and funding banking division.
Shareholders of ICICI Securities took to social media to report that financial institution executives reached out to them instantly, urging them to help the decision for delisting.According to an ET report, following the allegations, issues have been raised by legal professionals and market specialists over the potential regulatory scrutiny of the voting course of.
The e-voting for the delisting started on March 22 and concluded on March 26. Under the delisting scheme, ICICI Bank plans to delist ICICI Securities by way of a share swap settlement. As per the phrases, public shareholders in ICICI Securities would obtain 67 shares of ICICI Bank for each 100 shares they maintain. However, some minority shareholders have expressed opposition to the share swap ratio proposed for delisting the brokerage.
Also Read | Top SME IPOs based on returns: Why holding smaller stocks for a longer duration makes sense
On Tuesday, a number of ICICI Securities shareholders took to social media that they have been contacted by ICICI Bank executives. Screenshots of name particulars and WhatsApp messages from financial institution workers have been shared, with some alleging that executives requested them to offer their voting one-time password (OTP).
It was additionally claimed by some that financial institution executives requested shareholders to share screenshots of their voting course of. An ICICI Bank spokesperson didn’t reply to the monetary every day’s queries relating to these allegations.
Manu Rishi Gupta, the founding father of MRG Capital, a Bengaluru-based funding fund, criticized ICICI Bank’s actions, stating that the financial institution’s direct communication with ICICI Securities shareholders displays the injustice confronted by minority shareholders. Gupta talked about having proof to help the alleged illegal actions of ICICI Bank, which he stated might be shared with regulatory authorities.
Securities legal professionals highlighted that whereas rules don’t explicitly prohibit such influencing practices, ICICI Bank’s actions may elevate regulatory issues. Sonam Chandwani, managing associate at KS Legal & Associates, emphasised the significance of rules like PFUTP and LODR in sustaining market integrity.
Also Read | Sanjeev Sanyal’s UPSC reality check: Dream to be Elon Musk, or Mukesh Ambani, why a Joint Secretary?
Market observers recommend that Sebi could examine the matter additional. Sumit Agrawal, founding father of Regstreet Law Advisors, defined that whereas searching for help for voting just isn’t explicitly regulated, it aligns with company governance ideas. Sebi has the authority to research such practices and improve scrutiny on the voting course of in response to complaints.
Recent experiences point out that ICICI Bank’s main public shareholder, Norges Fund Investment Bank, supported the decision, whereas Quantum Mutual Fund opposed it.

Source link

- Advertisement -

Related Articles