3 hrs ago
SEBI orders Growpital farmland scheme winding-up after ₹192.88 crore raised
SEBI is India’s market regulator.
It said Growpital’s farmland investment plan was an unauthorised investment scheme.
The platform collected ₹192.88 crore from 5,208 people.
Investors were told they would participate in farming projects through LLPs.
SEBI said the investors did not actually control or own the land behind the projects.
Eight main people and entities must return the money with 12% yearly interest.
They have also been banned from the securities market, while 20 others received shorter bans.
Money already held in escrow will be used first to repay investors.
SEBI found Growpital operated an unauthorised collective investment scheme and raised ₹192.88 crore from 5,208 investors.
All 28 noticees were held guilty of violating the SEBI Act and related regulations.
Eight main noticees must jointly refund investors with 12% annual interest from January 29, 2024.
The eight main noticees were barred from the securities market for five years or until refunds are completed; 20 others received three-year bans.
Around ₹50 crore in escrow and attached funds will be distributed first, with further recovery from entity assets and, if needed, the main noticees’ personal assets.
- Who
- The Securities and Exchange Board of India, Growpital, eight main noticees and 20 other noticees.
- What
- SEBI ordered the winding-up of Growpital’s farmland investment scheme and directed refunds to investors.
- Where
- When
- The final order was passed on Monday; the article was published on September 28, 2026. Interest is calculated from January 29, 2024.
- Why
- SEBI found that the scheme operated as an unauthorised collective investment scheme and that investors lacked ownership or control over the underlying land.
Key facts
- Amount raised
- ₹192.88 crore
- Investors affected
- 5,208
- SEBI finding
- Growpital operated an unauthorised collective investment scheme
- Main noticees
- Eight were ordered to refund investors jointly and severally
- Interest
- 12% annually from January 29, 2024
- Escrow funds
- Around ₹50 crore will first be distributed among investors
- Market bans
- Five years for the eight main noticees; three years for 20 others
Quotes
Kamlesh Chandra Varshney
SEBI Whole Time Member who issued the order
“The money collected from investors has not remained with Supplier and Revenue Entities and the money has only been transferred through them”
thehindubusinessline.com
“shall be personally liable for any shortfall in refunding the amount to investors”
thehindubusinessline.com
Sources
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