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SEBI has issued a settlement order in an ESOP violation case involving One 97 Communications and Paytm founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma. Rs.2.8 crore in fines were imposed, with a 3-year ESOP ban.
One 97 Communications Ltd (OCL), the parent of Paytm, has settled a regulatory case with SEBI concerning violations in Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) allotments involving its founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma and his brother Ajay Shekhar Sharma. The settlement order, issued on 8 May, concludes SEBI’s investigation into questionable transactions ahead of Paytm’s IPO.
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Settlement reached between SEBI, OCL, and the Sharma brothers
Rs.2.8 crore total penalty imposed
2.1 crore ESOPs to Vijay Shekhar Sharma cancelled
2.22 lakh ESOPs to Ajay Sharma cancelled
Vijay Shekhar Sharma barred from receiving ESOPs for 3 years
Rs.35 lakh recovered from Ajay’s share sale proceeds
OCL has complied with all SEBI settlement terms
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Party | Penalty (Rs.) | ESOPs Cancelled |
Vijay Shekhar Sharma (VSS) | 1.1 crore | 2.1 crore |
Ajay Shekhar Sharma | 57 lakh | 2.22 lakh |
One 97 Communications Ltd | 1.1 crore | – |
Total Fine | 2.79 crore | – |
As part of the settlement terms, SEBI has barred Vijay Shekhar Sharma from receiving fresh ESOP grants from any listed company for the next three years. This restriction is aimed at preventing further misuse of insider positions during corporate restructuring or public offering periods.
Before Paytm’s IPO, Vijay Shekhar Sharma reclassified himself as a non-promoter by bringing down his shareholding below 10 percent. However, SEBI observed that he transferred 3.09 crore shares to a family trust, maintaining influence while meeting regulatory thresholds on paper. This raised compliance concerns and triggered penal proceedings.
OCL confirmed that all fines have been paid and the cancelled ESOPs are no longer active. The company’s adherence to SEBI’s directions may contain the regulatory fallout. However, the settlement could still influence market sentiment and may reflect in OCL share price trends in the short term.
With increased attention to corporate governance practices, analysts and investors will track whether this incident has any longer-term impact on investor trust and OCL share price movement. As Paytm evolves, adherence to regulatory transparency will remain crucial in sustaining confidence in OCL share price.
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