November 21, 2024

SEBI and Finance Ministry Urged to Probe Rosmerta Digital Services Ltd’s SME IPO

Rosmerta Digital Services Ltd Accused of Concealing Key Disclosures in IPO Filing

Investors are demanding a thorough investigation into the SME IPO filing of Rosmerta Digital Services Ltd amid allegations of fraudulent practices and financial misrepresentation. Multiple complaints have been lodged with the Securities & Exchange Board of India (SEBI), the Finance Ministry, and other regulatory authorities, citing concerns about the company’s Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP), which seeks to raise over ₹200 crore.

The promoters of Rosmerta Digital Services Ltd, including Mr. Kartick Vivek Nagpal, Mr. Karan Vivek Nagpal, Rosmerta Technologies Ltd, and Trust Promoter representative Mrs. Aarti Nagpal, have been accused of deliberately concealing critical information in the DRHP. According to sources, these individuals allegedly presented manipulated financial data and omitted material facts, raising questions about the legitimacy of the newly established entity.

The complaints also allege that the promoters are acting as proxies for Mr. Vivek Nagpal, the father of the individual promoters and husband of Mrs. Aarti Nagpal. Mr. Vivek Nagpal has a controversial history, with alleged involvement in capital market manipulation, insider trading, and money laundering through a network of interrelated entities. He was previously implicated in the 2001 stock market scam connected to Ketan Parekh, as noted by the Joint Parliamentary Committee.

In a formal complaint, Mumbai-based investor Rohit Vijay Nirmal alleged deliberate suppression of crucial facts by the accused, highlighting concerns about fraudulent activities, including market manipulation and misrepresentation in the DRHP filing. “The promoters have acted under the guidance of Mr. Vivek Nagpal, who has a history of capital market manipulation, causing substantial losses to retail investors,” Nirmal stated.

The complaint further claims that despite Mr. Vivek Nagpal’s past prohibition from accessing the securities market, the accused promoters colluded with him, concealing his involvement in Rosmerta Digital Services Ltd. The omission of these connections in the DRHP filing is described as a clear violation of Indian transparency laws.

Investors allege that the financial figures presented in the DRHP are inflated and manipulated, potentially misleading prospective investors and artificially boosting IPO valuations. Rosmerta Digital Services Ltd is part of the broader Rosmerta Group, with Mr. Vivek Nagpal allegedly playing a significant role behind the scenes despite not holding a formal title within the company. His involvement has been downplayed in the filing, possibly due to his legal troubles and previous criminal allegations.

“The accused promoters concealed their familial ties to Mr. Vivek Nagpal, a convicted economic offender, to mislead both investors and authorities,” the complaint states. It further criticizes the lack of transparent governance mechanisms, exacerbating concerns about conflicts of interest and potential manipulation of company decisions for personal gain.

Despite claims of disassociation by the promoters, the complaint alleges that Mr. Vivek Nagpal continues to promote the entities under the Rosmerta umbrella, presenting himself publicly as the founder of the group. The complainant also pointed out ongoing criminal proceedings related to fraudulent bank guarantees submitted by Rosmerta in Maharashtra, which were not disclosed in the DRHP.

Given the severity of the accusations, including non-disclosure, concealment of facts, and fraudulent practices, the complainant has urged regulatory authorities to halt any progress toward listing Rosmerta Digital Services Ltd. The request calls for an immediate suspension of the IPO process and a comprehensive investigation to safeguard the interests of potential retail investors and ensure the integrity of the capital markets.