WhatsApp leak case: Sebi penalises 1 person

Markets regulator Sebi has penalised one person after finding her guilty of releasing unpublished price sensitive information related to financial results of Bata India Ltd through WhatsApp messages prior to official announcement by the company. In an order, the regulator levied a fine of ₹15 lakh on Shruti Vishal Vora, who works with Antique Stock Broking Ltd.

Earlier, the regulator had penalised Vora for releasing unpublished price sensitive information (UPSI) related to financial results of Bajaj Auto, Ambuja Cement, Wipro, Mindtree and Asian Paints through WhatsApp messages.

Some news reports had referred to the circulation of UPSI in various private WhatsApp groups about certain companies ahead of their official announcements to the respective stock exchanges.