SEBI Order Against Sai Prasad Properties Ltd. to Stop Chit Fund Scheme

WTM/SR/ERO-CIS/ 15/07/2013

 

BEFORE THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE BOARD OF INDIA, MUMBAI

CORAM: S. RAMAN, WHOLE TIME MEMBER

ORDER

Under Sections 11(1), 11(4) and 11B of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992 read with  Regulation 65 of the SEBI (Collective Investment Schemes) Regulations, 1999 in respect of Sai Prasad Properties Ltd. and its Directors,  Mr. Balasaheb K. Bhapkar and Mrs. Vandana B. Bhapkar

1.             Securities and Exchange Board of India (hereinafter referred to as "SEBI") had received a letter dated August 17, 2012, from the Office of the Registrar of Companies Goa, Daman & Diu (hereinafter referred  to as "ROC"), regarding an inspection conducted in the matter of M/s. Sai Prasad Properties Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "SPPL"), under Section 209A of the Companies Act, 1956.   An extract of the  Inspection Report of SPPL, as carried out by the ROC, was also enclosed with the said letter, which interalia states that: “it is observed from the details furnished by the company that the company is accepting amount from the associates for scheme with periods of investment ranging from 4 years to 9 years and executing joint venture agreements after 1 year and 3 years for the schemes of onetime payment and the installment scheme respectively”. The ROC, vide the above said letter, requested SEBI to take appropriate action against SPPL in respect of violation of Section 11AA of the SEBI Act, 1992.

2.             Pursuant to the above, SEBI had sought the following documents/information from SPPL, vide letter dated September 12, 2012, as a part of preliminary enquiry and to see whether SPPL is carrying out any collective investment scheme (CIS) activities in terms of Section 11AA of the SEBI Act, 1992 (hereinafter  referred to as "SEBI Act") and/or SEBI (Collective Investment Schemes) Regulations, 1999 (hereinafter referred to as "CIS Regulations"), :

i.              Memorandum  and  Articles  of  Association  of  SPPL  as  filed  with  the  Registrar  of Companies.

ii.             Details of the past and present directors of the SPPL.

iii.            Brochures pertaining to schemes/ offers which were made available to the public.

iv.            Copies of application forms that were required to be submitted by investors/applicant to participate in schemes offered by SPPL.

v.             Sample copies of the registration letter and allotment letter issued to the investors who subscribed to schemes offered by SPPL.

vi.            Sample   copies   of   the   agreement   letter/contract   required   to   be   entered   into   by investor/applicant under schemes offered by SPPL.

vii.           Details of the scheme wise amount mobilized by SPPL till date along with the number of investors under the schemes offered by SPPL.

viii.          Certified copy of audited financial statement for the FY 2009-10, 2010-11, and 2011-12. ix. Copy of Income Tax Return filed by SPPL for the last three years.

x.             Details of the regulatory approvals obtained by SPPL, if any, for provision of accidental death/disability benefits to investor, under schemes offered by SPPL.

xi.            Details  of any other  similar  scheme(s),  if any,  floated  by SPPL or  its  group/associate companies.

3.             Vide its reply dated October 26, 2012, SPPL submitted the following documents/information, viz. –

i.              Copies of Memorandum and Articles of Association

ii.             List of Directors

iii.            Copies of audited financial statement for FY 2009-10 and 2010-11 iv.   Copies of income tax returns for the last three years

4.             As SPPL, through its aforementioned reply, had furnished incomplete information, SEBI vide another letter dated April 5, 2013, had advised SPPL to furnish the remaining information as sought  vide  earlier  letter  dated  September  12,  2012  and  had  also  sought  the  following additional information, viz. –

i)              Details of "land bank" allotted to "joint venture associates" as guarantee/warrantee.

ii)             Details of amount refunded to "joint venture associates".

5.             SPPL, vide letter dated April 12, 2013, furnished a copy of annual report for the year ending 2011-12 and details of "land bank". However, the details of scheme wise amount mobilized with  number  of  investors  ,  sample  copies  of  the  registration  letter  and  allotment  letter, agreement form, brochure, details of any other similar scheme(s), if any, floated by SPPL or its group/associate companies etc., as sought by SEBI, were not furnished by SPPL. SPPL also stated that they do not have any schemes and they are carrying out "joint venture participation projects".  Further,  it  was  also  submitted  by SPPL that  "expected  refund  of joint venture participation would be initiated from 01, September 2013, as per the joint venture agreement of SPPL with respect to the co-ventures".

6.             In the meanwhile, SEBI received a letter dated September 6, 2012 from Ministry of Finance enclosing a copy of the order dated July 13, 2012, passed by the Hon’ble High Court of Madhya Pradesh (Gwalior Bench) in the matter of Dharmvir Singh and Anr. vs. Union of India & Ors. [Writ petition No. 3332 of 2010 (PIL)]. Upon perusal of the aforesaid order, it was observed that –

i.              The Petitioners therein had filed a Public Interest Litigation (hereinafter referred to as "PIL") seeking order of enquiry against various financial companies including SPPL. The petitioners had pleaded that thousands of persons of various districts in the State of Madhya Pradesh had been cheated by various finance companies under the garb of various schemes, which used to collect deposits from the persons with a promise to pay the money back with higher return of interest ranging from 15%-20%.

ii.             Pursuant to the above petition, the Hon'ble Court, vide Order dated July 5, 2011 directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (hereinafter referred to as "CBI") to conduct the preliminary investigation regarding the activities of such companies.

iii.   The findings of the CBI in respect of SPPL (as mentioned in the order dated July 13, 2012, passed by the Hon’ble High Court of Madhya Pradesh, Gwalior Bench )were as follows:

a.             The details provided by the company, M/s Sai Prasad Properties Ltd., has revealed that there are total 13,49,616 customers with the company in which 2,34,716 are under one- time  payment  plan  while  11,14,900  are  under  installment  plan. Further, only  157 customers have been issued allotment letters and the land allotted against these allotment letters is 1,64,495 sq. ft.  No sale deed has been executed by the company with any of its customers  while 456  customers  have been  given  refund  claims  on  completion  of the agreement period.

b.             In the details provided by the company during the enquiry it has been mentioned by the representative that no sale deed has been executed by the company with the customers, as the company has to execute the sale deed only if it fails to refund the agreed amount to the customers at the end of the agreement period.  This clearly indicates that the company is only into accepting deposits and not into the sale of land.   This indicates that both the company  (SPPL  & Sai  Prasad  Foods  Ltd  –a  group  company  of  SPPL)  are  simply collecting deposits from the investors without any registration with RBI.

c.             SPPL  follows  a  hierarchy  of  agents  involving  10  levels,  for  the  purpose  of  getting business. These  are  from  the  level  of  Field  Representatives  to  the  level  of  Chief Controller. The  company  also  gives  commission  to  senior  up-line  members  on  the business  brought  by  the  junior  most  level  against  the  booking  of  plots. In  case  of installment payment plan, the commission percentage is 20% for the Field Representative in the first  year, and further commission is distributed till the highest level of Chief Controller but goes on reducing upwards the hierarchy and is 2 per cent at the top most level.   In the similar way under  cash down payment plan this is 6 to 9 % to the Field Representatives and is 0.5 % at the top most level.

d.             There have been several complaints against the company.  The complaints were examined during  the   course  of  enquiry.  It  was  revealed  that  neither  the  company  nor  its representatives / agents  have at any time intimated the investors that the plan being offered by the company is in anyway  related to purchase of land in its name. Some investors emphasized that had it been in their knowledge that the money was for allotment of land units, they would have never gone in for the investment plans. They also said that they invested with the company as the plans of the company seemed to be lucrative in comparison to that of Government sponsored schemes.  Further, only a few investors had the knowledge that the company will be investing their deposits in land and at the end of the maturity period they would be getting the amount as mentioned in the certificates issued by the company.  No allotment letters were found issued by the company to any of its customers who had made the required payments.   The amounts of the investors who had made complaints with the Collector, Gwalior have been refunded without interest by the company. Examination of one of the investors also revealed that the company has also floated yearly Income Scheme in its policies/plans.

e.             Thus from the above it is indicated that the company is not actually into the business of sale of land  as claimed by it but are receiving deposits and floating investment policies without registration with RBI.

7.  On the basis of the above report filed by CBI, the Hon'ble High Court vide the afore-mentioned Order dated July 13, 2012, observed that "the authorities of the organizations are at liberty to take appropriate action in accordance with law." The Hon'ble Court had directed the Principal Registrar to forward the copy of the said order to the various authorities including SEBI to take appropriate action in accordance with law.

8.             It is also noted that SEBI also received a reference dated October 1, 2012, from the Ministry of Corporate  Affairs (MCA) stating that “an inspection of Books and Accounts of SPPL was ordered  by  the  Ministry  vide  its  letter  dated  08/07/2011.  During  the  course  of  the  said inspection it was observed by the concerned Inspecting Officer therein that SPPL had violated the provisions of Section 11AA of SEBI Act”. A copy of the relevant extract of the Inspection Report was also forwarded to SEBI by MCA for taking further necessary action. Further, SEBI had  received  a complaint dated  October  15,  2012,  against SPPL,  from the  Investors  and Consumer Guidance Society inter alia alleging “illegal collections to the tune of  1000’s of crores by Sai Prasad Properties Ltd Reg no U7200GA2008PLC005799- similar to Pearls Group-   PACL-PGFL   modus   operandi.”   The   complainant   also   forwarded   brochures, Agreement  Form,  Rule  Book  and  other  documents  pertaining  to  SPPL  in  respect  of  the scheme/plans, along with the complaint.

9.  In view of the aforementioned reports and references from different authorities and the complaint received  by  SEBI  in  respect  of  the  schemes  launched  by  SPPL,  and  also  in  view  of  the aforementioned observations by the Hon'ble High Court of Madhya Pradesh, I find it necessary to proceed further with the matter, on the basis of available material on record. The issue under consideration is to ascertain whether or not the mobilization of funds by SPPL under the scheme is a 'CIS' in accordance with Section 11AA of the SEBI Act.

10.          Upon  perusal of  the  documents  and  other  materials  available  on record,  viz; the  sample Agreement for “Joint Venture Association” (hereinafter referred to as ‘agreement’), Allocation letter, Rule Book, Brochure,  Memorandum of Association and other materials in connection with the plan or schemes offered by  SPPL, and also various references and reports from authorities like MCA, CBI etc., it is prima facie observed that –

i.              SPPL was incorporated under the Companies Act, 1956 (CIN: U70200GA2008PLC005799) on June 12, 2008 and has its registered office in Sai Plaza Complex, 4th Floor, Office No. 402, Opposite Gomantak Times, Panjim, Goa – 403301 and corporate office in Empire Estate, Building CB – 1, Office NO. 202 & 203, Chinchwad, Pune, Maharashtra – 411019.

ii.             The Directors of SPPL are Shri Balasaheb K Bhapkar and Mrs. Vandana B Bhapkar. 

iii.            As per the memorandum of association of SPPL and also as per the brochure, the main object of  SPPL is to carry on the business of building and developing residential and commercial properties  and to carry on the business as promoters, builders, developers, construction and maintenance contractors of industrial buildings, shed, warehouse, shopping malls, multiplexes, hutments and structures and for that purpose undertake development of land,  buildings,  renovate,  enlarge,  extend,  pull down,  re-build  and  prepare  layouts  for building and construction activities.

iv.            Further, it is noted from the brochure issued by SPPL that the following are shown under the header other objects:-

•               "to issue units to the public and associates to attain the main object of SPPL.

•               to acquire and develop agricultural land and to lease/rent out or sell the farm or farm house for agricultural purpose."

v.             SPPL enters into agreement, which the SPPL refers as  "Agreement for Joint Venture Association"  (hereinafter referred to as 'agreement'), with investors or “joint venture associates”; as referred by SPPL in the sample agreement (hereinafter referred to as "associates"); to raise money, by issuing units.

vi.            I further note that SPPL has offered various schemes viz; installment payment plan (4 schemes), onetime payment plan (3 Schemes), monthly income plan (2 schemes) and yearly income plan (2 schemes). One of the plans from each category is illustrated below:

a)  Installments Payment Plan ‘AP’ for 54 months/ 41/2 years:

b)            One Time Payment Plan ‘EP’ for 66 months/ 5 ½ years: 

* 1 Unit = 500 Sq. Ft. Area of land.

c)             Monthly Income Plan ‘HP’ for 72 months/ 6 years:

 

d)            Yearly Income Plan ‘JP’ for 72 months/ 6 years:

 

vii. In addition to the return offered under the relevant plan i.e. expected refund of participation, an "associate" is also offered accidental death compensation under the scheme

viii. SPPL allocates land as per the ratio – 1 Unit or Rs. 12000 equivalent to 500 sq. ft. area of land.  The 500 Sq. Ft. of undivided land is allocated as a guarantee to repay the maturity amount  of  the   investment  plan  as   per   the  certificate   issued   to  the   "associates". Determination of place of land depends on availability of land at the time of agreement.

ix. As  per  Clause 15  (6)  of Rule book,  all development process  would  be performed  by management of behalf of "associates".

10.1.  Further, on examination of the various clauses in the agreement executed between SPPL and the "associates", the following clauses are noted:-

• "WHEREAS the company is carrying on business of building and developing residential and   commercial  properties  and  to  carry  on  the  business  as  promoters,  builders, developers, .............."
• "AND WHEREAS  the company is hereby authorized to enter into Agreement for borrow, to raise money or secure the payment of money or receive money by way of Joint Venture or otherwise in such manner as the company may determine, and further authorized to invest or otherwise employ the money belonging or entrusted to the company in movable or immovable properties or in securities  or  in such other manner as may be deemed expedient".
• "AND WHEREAS  the company has launched various schemes/ plans to borrow or raise the money, to raise money to secure the payment of money and launch the various plans including the installment , payment plans described in plan AP, BP, CP and KP so also one time payment plan  EP, FP and GP for various periods in pursuance of rules and regulations made thereof including the expected sum payable on expiry of the said term and also consisting of the accidental compensation as contemplated in the said plans".
• "AND WHEREAS  Company is issuing the certificates to enable the company to raise the finance especially described in the plan AP to EP, KP & GP hereinafter described and the party of the Second part came to know about the investment in said plan and agreed to investment in company & to join him in Joint Venture with a view to carryout and complete the said finance raising object as joint venture the party of the second part has number  of  meeting  with  company,  discussed  the   scheme  in  detailed  and  other understanding the same fully agreed to enter into this Joint Venture ship Agreement on the terms and conditions mentioned herein".
• The party of the second part have contributed with the company the sum of Rs. ............ onwards Rs. Only of the ............. certificate in category  ............ plans dated  ……….. and on          maturity the ………. Sum assured   is payable             to ………… the     extent of  Rs. ………….   and the party of the second part will contribute such further amounts as may be desired by him from time to time for carrying out the said work and the amounts will be treated as a participation made by him to the company in the participation plans of the company repayable to the party of the second part as per terms and conditions of the Certificate, Rule book & Agreement.(Clause 2)
• The company will look after the financial side of the participation plans as well as look after the administration of the company and its said business and the party of the second part will have no nexus right of the shares or share capital of the company or to interfere the company or the management and the policies of the company or/ otherwise the board of directors will have sole and  absolutely discretionary powers as per the companies laws.(Clause 4)
• "That the company has insured the life of Joint Venture with the New India InsuranceCompany’s ......." (Clause 9)
•  That through this Agreement the Company has being collateral secured for realization of amount of  said plan as agreed, issued letter of allocation of land with a ratio of Rs. 12000 of participation equal to 500 sq.ft of land..........
• "It is agreed by & between the parties that this is Agreement for Joint Venture Associate and shall not be treated partnership with the company by joint venture. Once repayment of participation is made to the associate then this agreement along with allocation letter will be automatically cancelled." (Clause 19)
• "Once full and final payment of said certificate is paid to the associates, this joint venture agreement   is  automatically  stands  cancelled  and  the  said  land  allocated  to  the associates,  becomes  free  from  holding  of  associate  and  company  thereafter  as  full holding of land." (Clause 24)

11. The abovementioned details of the scheme offered by SPPL, have to be considered in light of Section 11AA of the SEBI Act, which reads as follows:

"11AA (1) Any scheme or arrangement which satisfies the conditions referred to in subsection (2) shall be a collective investment scheme.

(2) Any scheme or arrangement made or offered by any company under which,

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

(ii) the contributions or payments are 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."

12. In this context I note that -

12.1. SPPL, by way of the scheme, raises money by issuing units to the "associates". As per the terms and conditions of the agreement and the Memorandum of Association of SPPL, such mobilization of funds  is  to meet the main object, i.e carrying out business of building residential and  commercial  properties.  It  is  also  noted  that  SPPL,  for  the  purpose  of soliciting funds from public, has opened  a number of "Associate Service Centres" and "Collection Centres" which are spread across the states  of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Jharkand, Chattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh etc. It is noted that such contribution made by "associates" in response to the plans offered  under the scheme i.e. participation value in the form of monthly instalments or onetime payment in lieu of units are pooled and utilized by SPPL for the purposes of the plan.

12.2. It is observed that SPPL also undertakes to the "associates" to pay the estimated returns of investment plans on maturity as per the terms agreed. In this context, it is noted from the table (a) (related to plan offered by SPPL), shown in previous paragraphs, it can be seen that if participant invested Rs.6000 in AP plan, expected return is offered as Rs. 8250 along with accidental death compensation. Similarly, it can  be seen from table (b) under the header "One time Payment Plan" that if a participant invested Rs. 3000 in EP plan, expected return offered is Rs. 6000 (after 66 months) along with accidental death  compensation. Further, different returns were offered in different plans as stated in the above mentioned tables. Hence, the contribution was made by the "associates" with the view to receive profit or income (in case of monthly/yearly income plan).

12.3. On examination of the various clauses of the agreement, it is noticed that SPPL is managing the financial side of the participation plan as well as the administration of SPPL and its said business. The property of SPPL shall be used exclusively for the business of SPPL and the "associates" shall not have any right, title and interest in connection therewith. Further, it is noted that the allotment of units of land is only for the purpose of "collateral security" and no specification or identification of the land is given in the agreement. Hence it appears that the "associates" are not aware of the land purported to be allotted to  them. Further, it is noted that the land so allocated can be disposed of only with the help of SPPL. Moreover, it is observed from the Rule book that all development process would be performed by SPPL of behalf of "associates". These particulars primafacie  indicate  that  the  property, contribution or investment forming part of the scheme, is managed by SPPL on behalf of the investors.

12.4. I further note that, Clause 15 (6) of the Rule Book clearly states that all development process would  be  performed  by  the  management  (SPPL)  on  behalf  of  "associates"  and  the "associates" do not have  day to day control over the management and operation of the schemes, which primafacie satisfies the sub-clause (iv) of Section 11 AA(2).

13.  In light of the above analysis, it appears that schemes offered by SPPL primafacie satisfy all the conditions referred in Section 11AA (2) of the SEBI Act.

14.  Having primafacie found that SPPL is carrying out fund mobilization by way of CIS activities, I proceed further to examine the reply made by SPPL in respect of its scheme. As stated in the forgoing paragraph, SPPL in its reply dated 26/10/2012 and 12/04/2013 submitted as follows:-

• "....the collective investment scheme indicated in your letter do not fall under any of the provisions laid down for the purpose of joint venture system of participation of our company's domain."
• "......we do not have any such scheme for our joint venture participation projects under  the  different  business  domain  and  nor  we  have  any  such  investors  of  the Company and in place  we have co-venturers who actually participate in the joint venture projects of different  dimensions .....we have joint venture agreements duly certified by the co-venturers....".

15. I note that the main contention put forth by SPPL is that the  scheme is for the  purpose of a  " joint venture  system of participation". It is also noted that SPPL has referred the agreement entered into between SPPL and "associates" as "Agreement for Joint Venture Association" and the persons investing in the said scheme are referred as "joint venturer" or "associates".  I further note that, in its letter dated 12/10/2012, SPPL has quoted the observations made by the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in New Horizons Ltd. vs. Union of India [1995 (1) SCC 478] regarding the nature of a joint venture. The observations are as follows:-

“The expression ‘joint venture’ … connotes a legal entity in the nature of a partnership engaged in  the joint undertaking of a particular transaction for mutual profit or an association of persons or companies jointly undertaking some commercial enterprise wherein all contribute assets and share risks. It requires a community of interest in the performance of the subject matter, a right to direct and govern the policy in connection therewith, and duty, which may be altered by agreement, to share both in profit and losses. [Black's Law Dictionary; Sixth Edition, p. 839].”

16. I observe that the categorization of any scheme as “joint venture” is not determinative of its nature and character; the same has to be determined with reference to the terms and conditions of such scheme, which  express the intention of the parties. Upon analysis of the instant “joint venture” offered by SPPL in terms  of the “Agreement for Joint Venture Association” in the context of the abovementioned observations of the  Hon'ble Supreme Court of India, I note the following –

i. The “joint venture” in question is not a partnership between SPPL and the "associate" for the furtherance of a commercial enterprise but rather an arrangement which provides for a monetary  return on the investment made by such "associate". Further, such “joint venture” stands cancelled once repayment of participation is made to such" associate".

ii. Under the instant “joint venture”, there is no shared control. The "associate" is excluded from the financial aspect of the “joint venture”. Further, such "associate" or investor will have  no  right  to   interfere  in  the  “joint  venture”  since  SPPL  exercises  complete managerial and administrative control over the plans offered therein.

16.1. From the findings of the CBI (contained in the Hon’ble Madhya Pradesh High Court order dated July 13, 2012), it is noted that there are total 13,49,616  "associates" or investors with SPPL in which 2,34,716 are under one-time payment plan while 11,14900 are under Installment Plan. In this context, I find it difficult to accept that SPPL has entered into a “joint venture” with such a huge number of "associates". I find that the claimed existence of a "joint venture" between SPPL and the "associates" is preposterous, since such venture  has arisen from separate agreements between SPPL and 13,49,616  individual "associates". I find that such venture has also resulted in a common pool of contribution received from such individual "associates".

17. In view of the above analysis,  I prima facie find  that the scheme offered by SPPL having nomenclature “joint venture” is not a joint venture in accordance with law but rather such term has been used by SPPL to camouflage its fund mobilizing activity which is in the nature of a ''CIS' in order to mislead and attract investment from general public. Therefore, the contention put forth by SPPL that it is carrying out a “joint venture” is not acceptable.

18. I note that the main characteristics of a 'CIS' are prima facie found in the instant scheme offered by SPPL. In  this regard, we may refer to the following observations of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in P.G.F Ltd. & Ors. vs. UOI & Anr. (MANU/SC/0247/2013);

"........ sub-section (2) of Section 11AA, held that: "..sub-section (2) of Section 11 AA, which  defines  a collective investment scheme disclose that it is not restricted to any particular commercial activity such as in a shop or any other commercial establishment or even agricultural operation or transportation or shipping or entertainment industry etc. The definition only seeks to  ascertain and identify any scheme or arrangement, irrespective of the nature of business, which attracts investors to invest their funds at the instance of someone else who comes forward to promote such scheme or arrangement in any field and such scheme or arrangement provides for the  various  consequences to result there from."

19. In view of the abovementioned observations, I find that the SEBI Act is applicable to 'CIS' that engage in inviting investment or contribution from investors for investing in any asset/property, etc. which interalia  result in a return on such investment. In this regard, the activity of fund mobilization  by  SPPL  under  the  instant  scheme  with  a  resultant  promise  of  returns  when considered  in  light  of  the  other  features  of  such  scheme,  as  discussed  in  the  proceeding paragraphs, prima facie falls within the ambit of 'CIS' as defined under Section 11AA of the SEBI Act.

20. I note that in terms of Section 12(1B) of the SEBI Act, "no person shall sponsor or cause to be sponsored  or  cause  to  be  carried  on  a  'collective  investment  scheme'  unless  he  obtains  a certificate of registration from the Board in accordance with the regulations”. Regulation 3 of the CIS Regulations provides that no person other than a Collective Investment Management Company which has obtained a certificate under the CIS Regulations shall carry on or sponsor or launch a 'CIS'. Therefore, the launching of any 'CIS' by any ‘person’ without obtaining the certificate of registration in terms of the provisions of the CIS Regulations is in contravention of Section 12(1B) of the SEBI Act and Regulation 3 of the CIS Regulations. In this regard, I note that SPPL has not obtained any certificate of registration under the CIS Regulations for its fund mobilizing activity from the public, under the instant scheme offered by it.

21.  In view of the prima facie finding that SPPL is engaged in the fund mobilizing activity from public which satisfies all the ingredients of a 'CIS', without obtaining a certificate of registration from SEBI as required under Section 12 (1B) of the SEBI Act, 1992 and Regulation 3 of the CIS Regulations, it has violated Section 12 (1B) of the SEBI Act, 1992 and Regulation 3 of the CIS Regulations read  with Section 11AA  of  the  SEBI  Act,  1992.  It is  further  noted  that Shri Balasaheb K Bhapkar and Mrs. Vandana B Bhapkar are the directors who are in charge of and responsible for the day to day affairs of SPPL.

22. As discussed in paragraphs 16 & 17 above, I find that the instant scheme offered by SPPL under the nomenclature "joint venture" is nothing but a camouflage for its fund mobilizing activity. I find such fund mobilizing activity falls within the ambit of 'CIS' as defined under Section 11AA of the SEBI Act and the same has been carried out by SPPL without due registration from SEBI. In this context I note that the protection  of  the interest of investors is the first and foremost mandate for SEBI. Further, in order to ensure that SPPL does not collect further funds under its schemes and to safeguard the assets/property, acquired by SPPL and  its promoters/directors from the funds of the investing public until full facts and materials are brought and final decision is taken in the matter, it becomes necessary for SEBI to take urgent preventive action by way of this  interim  measure.  In  the  light  of  the  same  and  as  SPPL  did  not  submit  complete details/information as sought by SEBI, I find no other alternative but to take recourse through an interim measure against SPPL for preventing it from further carrying on with its fund mobilizing activity by launching " CIS' without registration from SEBI in accordance with law.

23. In view of the forgoing, I, in exercise of the powers conferred upon me under sections 11(1), 11(4) and 11B of the SEBI Act, 1992 read with Regulation 65 of CIS Regulations, hereby direct SPPL and its directors/promoters, including Shri Balasaheb K Bhapkar and Mrs. Vandana B Bhapkar;-

a. not to collect any more money from investors under the existing schemes;

b. not to launch any new schemes or plans;

c. not to dispose of or alienate any of the properties or assets owned or acquired in respect of or in pursuance of the plans or schemes or earmarked /allotted to the "associates" under the plans/schemes.

d. not to divert any fund raised from public at large which are kept in bank account(s) and/or in the custody of SPPL.

24. The above directions shall take effect immediately and shall be in force until further orders.

25. This Order shall be treated as a show cause notice and SPPL and its above mentioned directors may show cause as to why the plans/schemes identified in this Order should not be held as a 'CIS' in terms of Section 11AA of the SEBI Act and CIS Regulations and why appropriate directions under the SEBI Act and CIS Regulations, including directions in terms of Regulation 65 and 73 of the CIS Regulations should not be issued against them.

26. SPPL and its above mentioned directors shall, within 15 days from the date of receipt of this Order, file their objections/reply, if any, to this Order. SPPL and its directors may also indicate, in such reply, if they wishes to avail an opportunity of personal hearing in the matter.

S RAMAN

WHOLE TIME MEMBER

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE BOARD OF INDIA

Date : July 17, 2013          

Place: Mumbai