AT held that the company and its KMPs engaged in self-funding of...

AT held that the company and its KMPs engaged in self-funding of preferential allotment in breach of s.77(2) Companies Act and Regulations 3,4(1) of the PFUTP Regulations, and that several allottee and conduit entities aided the scheme; the Tribunal found a proximate fund flow of Rs.3.42 crore originating from the company into preferential subscriptions and sustained liability for that quantum. However, AT accepted that conduit entities had received Rs.10.47 crore and that no sufficient linkage was established for the excess transfers; considering those facts and attendant evidence, AT allowed the appeal challenging the impugned penalties as applied jointly and severally to the appellants, while rejecting delay-based dismissal.

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