SEBI finds 20 fake trades by Diganta Agencies in 3 stock options, creating 7.66 lakh artificial units

SEBI found the company violated regulations prohibiting fraudulent and unfair trade practices.

Who it concerns: Diganta Agencies Pvt Ltd (PAN: AAECD1732F)

What SEBI found or ordered

• SEBI found that Diganta Agencies Pvt Ltd executed 20 non-genuine trades in 3 stock option contracts, resulting in an artificial volume of 7,66,000 units.
• SEBI determined these trades violated Regulations 3(a), (b), (c), (d), 4(1), and 4(2)(a) of the SEBI (Prohibition of Fraudulent and Unfair Trade Practices Relating to Securities Market) Regulations, 2003.
• The company was offered two settlement schemes (SEBI Settlement Scheme 2022 and ISO Settlement Scheme 2024) but did not avail either.
• The company failed to respond to the Show Cause Notice or attend the hearing, leading SEBI to proceed ex-parte and presume the allegations were admitted.
• SEBI imposed a monetary penalty under Section 15HA of the SEBI Act (specific amount not detailed in the provided text excerpt).

Also in the document

• The investigation covered a broader period from April 1, 2014, to September 30, 2015, during which 81.40% of all BSE stock option trades were allegedly non-genuine.
• SEBI noted that the company was one of several entities involved in these manipulative practices.
• The order cites a Securities Appellate Tribunal precedent stating that failure to reply to a show cause notice is presumed as an admission of charges.