SEBI seizes electronics in data leak case

New Delhi: In a major crackdown against leak of price sensitive information about listed firms, Sebi on Friday conducted searches at premises of more than 30 analysts and dealers and seized documents, computers, mobiles and laptops.The searches follow a probe into circulation of unpublished price sensitive information about various listed companies, including some blue chips, through WhatsApp messages and social media chatrooms.

“Sebi carried out ‘search and seizure’ operations in major cities today. The operations were conducted at the residences and offices of more than 30 market analysts and dealers in securities market,” a source familiar with the development said. “Registers, documents, computers, mobile phones and laptops, among other things, were seized,” the source added. The operations involved more than 70 Sebi officials, assisted by the state police departments. This is one of the biggest operations since Sebi got the search and seizure powers.