The Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO), which is a multi-disciplinary organization under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, has investigated 55 cases of serious fraud during the last 3 years i.e. 2010-11. 2011-12 and 2012-13. Giving this information in written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Shri Sachin Pilot, Minister of Corporate Affairs, informed the House that SFIO investigated 13 cases in 2010-11; 20 cases during 2011-12 and 22 cases during 2012-13. During the current FY 13-14, SFIO has undertaken two cases for investigation. He said that on the basis of recommendations made by the SFIO in its investigation reports, Government has been according sanctions for filing prosecutions under the Companies Act, 1956 and the Indian Penal Code 1860; referring cases for disciplinary action against professionals to the professional institutes concerned; and sharing reports with various regulators/ enforcement agencies, such as Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Income Tax Department, Enforcement Directorate (ED), etc., for taking appropriate action of violations pertaining to their respective statutes.

Serious fraud investigations prompt sanctions and regulatory referrals under corporate and criminal statutes following SFIO recommendations. The Serious Fraud Investigation Office conducted multi-year investigations and, based on its reports, the Government has granted sanctions for prosecutions under corporate and criminal statutes, referred professionals for disciplinary proceedings, and shared reports with relevant regulators and enforcement agencies to enable statutory action under their respective frameworks.