The financial landscape of India has witnessed several high-profile scandals, with the Ketan Parekh scam standing out as one of the most notorious. He was the only person to give a shock wave to Indian stock market after Harshad Mehta. This article delves into the intricacies of the Ketan Parekh scam, drawing parallels with the infamous Harshad Mehta scandal of 1992. Both cases reveal systemic weaknesses in regulatory frameworks and highlight the potential for market manipulation by well connected individuals. This was the biggest Scam of 2001 which was almost worth 5000 Crores at that time after Harshad Mehta.
History of Ketan Parekh
Ketan Parekh, a chartered accountant by profession, gained notoriety in the late 1990s and early 2000s for his extensive involvement in stock market manipulations.
Parekh was well-regarded in the stock market circles and had a reputation for turning obscure stocks into high performers. This ability earned him a significant following among investors and traders.
Rise of Ketan Parakh
The Rise of Ketan ParekhKetan Parekh, a Chartered Accountant by training, emerged as a prominent figure on Dalal Street in the late 1990s. Known for his keen market acumen, Parekh earned the nickname "Pentafour Bull" for his ability to drive up stock prices through his trades. He focused primarily on the technology, media, and telecommunications (TMT) sectors, which were booming at the time.
Modus Operandi
1) Circular Trading:-
Parekh primarily employed two key strategies: circular trading and pump-and-dump schemes. Circular trading involved trading stocks between his entities and other friendly entities to artificially inflate trading volumes and prices.
This technique misled other investors into believing there was a high demand for these stocks, prompting them to invest. Once the prices were sufficiently inflated, Parekh would sell off his holdings, reaping massive profits.
2) Manipulation through Pay Orders:-
Parekh also exploited the banking system by manipulating pay orders. He acquired shares of Madhavpura Mercantile Cooperative Bank (MMCB) to influence its loan decisions.
MMCB issued him large loans against pay orders, which he then used as collateral to secure more loans from other financial institutions. This complex web of transactions created a liquidity crisis when the stock prices began to fall.
The DownFall of Ketan Parekh
The unraveling of Parekh’s schemes began in early 2001 when a bear cartel started short-selling the K-10 stocks he was known for manipulating. This led to a significant market crash, with the BSE Sensex dropping by 176 points on March 1, 2001.
The bear cartel’s short selling exposed the artificial inflation created by Parekh, leading to a massive sell-off and significant market instability. According to rummors Dhirubai Ambani and the Kolkata bear cartel were also involved.
This event underscored the fragility and susceptibility of the market to manipulative practices, leading to extensive regulatory reforms by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to prevent future occurrences of similar scams.
The ensuing investigation by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) uncovered the extent of Parekh’s manipulations, leading to his arrest and a series of legal battles.
Parekh was banned from trading in the stock market for 14 years and sentenced to rigorous imprisonment. The scandal prompted SEBI to introduce several regulatory measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future, including the prohibition of circular trading and stricter oversight of stock exchanges.
Comparison With 1992 Scam of Harshad Mehta of $3.7 Billion
Both Ketan Parekh and Harshad Mehta exploited systemic loopholes to manipulate the stock market. Mehta’s scam involved misusing banking funds to drive up stock prices, which he would then sell at a profit.
Similarly, Parekh used circular trading and banking manipulations to inflate stock prices. Both individuals had extensive networks and utilized their market influence to perpetuate their schemes.
Market Impact And Response
The impacts of both scandals were profound, leading to significant financial losses for investors and shaking confidence in the Indian stock market.
The Harshad Mehta scandal led to a 570-point fall in the Sensex and prompted the introduction of new financial regulations. The Article on Harshad Mehta Scam of 1992 of about $3.7 Billion was already published on Binance Square.
The Ketan Parekh scam, on the other hand, led to a 176-point fall and further tightened regulatory frameworks, including the abolition of the Badla system and stricter enforcement of stock exchange regulations.
Effects on Investor's Confidence
The scam significantly eroded investor confidence in the Indian stock market. Many investors suffered substantial losses due to the collapse of the manipulated stocks. The market's integrity was called into question, leading to a demand for better regulatory oversight and transparency in stock transactions.
What Lessons Were Learned from the Ketan Parekh Scam?
Importance of Due Diligence: Investors need to exercise caution and perform thorough due diligence before investing.
Need for Transparency: Transparent and ethical trading practices are essential to maintain market integrity.
Role of Regulatory Bodies: Strong and proactive regulatory oversight is crucial in preventing market manipulation and protecting investor interests.
Conclusion
The Ketan Parekh scam underscores the vulnerabilities in financial systems and the potential for individuals to exploit these for personal gain.
By drawing parallels with the Harshad Mehta scandal, it becomes evident that robust regulatory frameworks and vigilant oversight are crucial to maintaining the integrity of financial markets.
While both scandals caused significant upheaval, they also led to much-needed reforms that have strengthened India’s financial regulatory environment.
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