Government set to amend SEBI Act

18 Jul 2013 Evaluate

In a bid to provide more powers to the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to crack down on ponzi schemes, the government of India (GoI) has approved a proposal to amend SEBI Act. The decision will also give Sebi powers to conduct search and seizure operations and access call data records. The same have been approved by the government at a meeting of the Cabinet.

These amendments will be finalized after thorough discussion with the market regulator and once the SEBI Act gets modified, the regulator would have direct powers to carry out search and seizure operations and for attachment of assets, as part of efforts to crackdown on ponzi schemes. In addition, the regulator would also have authority to seek out information, such as telephone call data records, from any persons or entities in respect to any securities transaction being probed by it.

The capital market watchdog has been seeking regulatory amendments as well as a mandate for a longer period given the changing nature of the securities market in general and fresh tools being used by manipulators to take gullible investors for a ride. Among others, SEBI Chairman would have the powers to authorise conducting of search and seizure.

At present, the market regulator can precede their search and scrutiny only after receiving approval from the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, though this process delays the scrutiny proceedings and hamper the confidential nature of probe.

© 2026 The Alchemists Ark Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved. MoneyWorks4Me ® is a registered trademark of The Alchemists Ark Pvt. Ltd.

×