Ajanta Pharma promoter Aayush Agrawal has disclosed simultaneous creation and release of pledge on 2,00,000 shares each with Aditya Birla Capital Ltd for loan management purposes. The transactions were formally communicated to BSE and NSE on February 20, 2026, in compliance with SEBI (Substantial Acquisition of Shares and Takeovers) Regulations, 2011.

Recent Pledge Transactions

Aayush Agrawal, acting as trustee of Aayush Agrawal Trust, executed two separate pledge transactions within a span of two days. The pledge release occurred on February 17, 2026, for loan repayment purposes, followed by a fresh pledge creation on February 19, 2026, to increase loan facilities.

Impact on Shareholding Pattern

Despite the pledge transactions, Aayush Agrawal's overall encumbered shareholding percentage remains unchanged at 6.60% of the company's total share capital. His total holding of 1,41,12,924 shares represents 11.30% of Ajanta Pharma's share capital.

Promoter Group Holdings

The disclosure reveals the comprehensive shareholding pattern of the promoter group. Other significant promoters maintain substantial stakes without any encumbrances on their holdings.

Key promoter holdings include:

• Yogesh M Agrawal Trust: 1,80,78,147 shares (14.47%)
• Rajesh M Agrawal Trust: 1,80,78,148 shares (14.47%)
• Ravi P Agrawal Trust: 1,62,42,904 shares (13.00%) with 60,63,920 shares (4.85%) encumbered
• Gabs Investments Pvt Ltd: 1,25,88,393 shares (10.08%)

Regulatory Compliance

The pledge transactions were disclosed in accordance with Regulation 31(1) and 31(2) of SEBI (SAST) Regulations, 2011. The formal communication was submitted to both BSE and NSE, with copies provided to Ajanta Pharma Limited's company secretary. These transactions represent routine corporate financing arrangements where promoter shares serve as collateral for loan facilities with Aditya Birla Capital Ltd.

Ajanta Pharma has issued a formal clarification to stock exchanges denying its involvement in the acquisition of Restaurant Brands Asia, following incorrect media reports that suggested the pharmaceutical company was diversifying into the restaurant business.

Clarification on Media Reports

The company addressed reports published in The Economic Times on February 10, 2026, which incorrectly stated that "the transaction would mark the drugmaker's diversification into the fast-growing quick service restaurant sector." Ajanta Pharma emphasized that this reference was factually incorrect and inadvertent.

Actual Transaction Details

The pharmaceutical company clarified the true nature of the acquisition:

Company's Position

Ajanta Pharma stated that while a section of its promoter group manages and controls Lenexis Foodworks Pvt. Ltd., which is independently pursuing the Restaurant Brands Asia acquisition, Ajanta Pharma Limited and its management are not parties to the transaction in any manner. The company explicitly denied the rumors and speculation circulating regarding its involvement.

Regulatory Compliance

The clarification was submitted under Regulation 30(11) of SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015. The company referenced a similar clarification it had submitted to stock exchanges on January 20, 2026, following earlier media reports on the same matter.

Communication to Exchanges

The formal clarification was signed by Gaurang Shah, Senior Vice President – Legal & Company Secretary, and submitted to both BSE Limited and National Stock Exchange of India on February 10, 2026. The company requested the exchanges to take the clarification on record and disseminate it to all concerned parties.