image

SEBI tightens rules and widens the scope of Insider Trading Regulations

The Securities and Exchange Board of India has made a stricter regime of the insider trading rules by widening the scope and align it with the best international practices. The apex watchdog finalised the insider trading rules based on the recommendations of the committee deliberations.
SEBI has tightened the rules by widening the definition of an insider to cover any person who is a “connected person” or in possession of or having access to unpublished price-sensitive information.The regulator has defined “connected person” as any person who is in frequent communication with the officers of a company or by being in contractual, fiduciary or employment relationship with the company among other things.

A new feature in the new rules that has been added is that the burden to prove of establishing that the connected person was not in possession of Unpublished price sensitive information would be on him. But, if the person who has been alleged with insider trading violations is not connected to the company, then the burden of proving the same would be on the market regulator.

“Under the new rules, mere communication of Unpublished price sensitive information would be punishable. Earlier, the regulator’s stand was that mere communication without any trade would not be proceeded against.

Insiders are allowed to communicate information only for legitimate expectations, performance of duties and discharge of legal obligations. The regulator has also given an exemption for companies to provide Unpublished price sensitive information for the purpose of conducting due diligence.

“It is intended to permit communicating, providing, allowing access to or procuring Unpublished price sensitive information also in transactions that do not entail an open offer obligation under the takeover regulations if it is in the best interests of the company.

profile image

About eMinds Legal

eMinds Legal

eMinds Legal is a Corporate Law Firm based in Gurgaon, India specializing in Corporate Legal, Corporate Secretarial and Compliance. The Firm comprises of a team of Corporate Lawyers and Company Secretaries with in-depth subject matter knowledge and participative industry experience of over 15 years.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Corporate Law Referencer

Corporate Law Referencer

Corporate Law Referencer

India’s Leading Compliance Software

India’s Leading Compliance Software

Get A Demo Today !

Recent Articles

Recent Legal updates

Recent Gst Updates