SEBI imposed a five-year fundraising prohibition on Seacoast Shipping Services Limited and its executives after discovering fund diversion and accounting fraud. The regulatory body found the company guilty of misappropriating rights issue money while creating false financial records to deceive investors. Company officials fabricated a kidnapping story involving promoter Manish Shah's son to justify the misuse of investor funds. However, investigators rejected these claims after finding no police reports or supporting evidence.
The investigation revealed SSSL fraudulently allocated shares worth Rs 22.73 crore to Shah without proper consideration. Financial statements from 2021 to 2024 contained fabricated sales figures exceeding 85 percent and fictitious assets representing 98 percent of reported holdings. The Bombay Stock Exchange initially flagged suspicious transactions that led to the comprehensive probe. SEBI ordered penalty payments and asset disgorgement while emphasizing protection for retail investors against corporate misconduct.
The investigation revealed SSSL fraudulently allocated shares worth Rs 22.73 crore to Shah without proper consideration. Financial statements from 2021 to 2024 contained fabricated sales figures exceeding 85 percent and fictitious assets representing 98 percent of reported holdings. The Bombay Stock Exchange initially flagged suspicious transactions that led to the comprehensive probe. SEBI ordered penalty payments and asset disgorgement while emphasizing protection for retail investors against corporate misconduct.
