SEBI Imposes Rs 3.87 Crore Penalty on 11 Entities for Manipulating Darshan Orna's Share Price
SEBI imposed a Rs 3.87 crore penalty on 11 individuals for manipulating Darshan Orna Ltd's share price through social media between September 2021 and June 2022. The scheme involved share accumulation, funding, and coordinated message dissemination on Telegram. The manipulation caused the stock price to rise from Rs 77.00 to Rs 146.70, and public shareholders increased by 335%. The group profited Rs 2.51 crore before exiting their positions. Penalties ranging from Rs 10.00 lakh to Rs 1.20 crore were imposed, to be paid within 45 days.

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In a significant regulatory action, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has imposed a hefty penalty of Rs 3.87 crore on 11 individuals for manipulating the share price of Darshan Orna Ltd through social media channels. The manipulation occurred between September 2021 and June 2022, creating artificial price and volume increases that influenced investors' decisions.
The Manipulation Scheme
The price manipulation scheme operated across three tiers:
Accumulation and Funding:
- Aakash Doshi and associates accumulated shares
- Kevin Kapadia provided funding support
- Satyen Dalal contributed Rs 46.00 lakh during the accumulation phase
Social Media Coordination:
- Dhanpal Gandhi coordinated message circulation on the Telegram platform TBO.Live Events
- Amesh Jaiswal and Jalaj Agarwal were involved in the message dissemination
Impact on Darshan Orna's Stock
The manipulation had a significant impact on Darshan Orna's stock:
Metric | Change |
---|---|
Share Price | Rose from Rs 77.00 to Rs 146.70 |
Public Shareholders | Increased by 335% from 1,732 to 7,536 during January-March 2022 |
Profits and Penalties
- Total Profit: The individuals collectively profited Rs 2.51 crore before exiting their positions
- Penalty Range: SEBI imposed penalties ranging from Rs 10.00 lakh to Rs 1.20 crore on the involved entities
- Payment Deadline: The penalties must be paid within 45 days
This case highlights SEBI's ongoing efforts to curb market manipulation and protect investor interests. It serves as a reminder of the severe consequences for those engaging in unfair market practices, especially through the misuse of social media platforms for stock price manipulation.
Historical Stock Returns for Darshan Orna
1 Day | 5 Days | 1 Month | 6 Months | 1 Year | 5 Years |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
+2.57% | +10.28% | +4.89% | -4.78% | -39.22% | -12.54% |