SFIO asked to probe fraud by 83 companies since 2008: Sachin Pilot

NEW DELHI: SFIO, the investigation arm of the Corporate Affairs Ministry, has been ordered to probe alleged fraud in 83 companies in the last four years, Parliament was informed ON Thursday.

The 83 companies include Reebok India, Vaishnavi Corporate Communications, Satyam Computer Services, Ambuja Cements, Ultratech Cement, ACC and Sesa Goa, Corporate Affairs Minister Sachin Pilot informed Lok Sabha in a written reply.

As per the list provided by Pilot, probe against 38 firms including, SpeakAsiaOnline, Vaishnavi Corporate Communications and Reebok India, is under progress.

According to the list, majority of these companies belong to the National Capital Delhi, followed by Punjab and Tamil Nadu with 8 and 7 companies.

Other states are Maharashtra (5), West Bengal (5), Gujarat (5), Andhra Pradesh (3), Uttar Pradesh (2), Karnataka (2), Goa (2) and Madhya Pradesh (1).

SpeakAsiaOnline is the only company not registered in India which is been probed by SFIO.

"The government is intending to bring stringent legislation through Companies Bill, 2011 by providing adequate provisions and measures to ensure that companies raise money in a more transparent and accountable manner...," Pilot said.

He also added that the government proposes to grant statutory recognition to SFIO and to increase its powers to curb frauds.

Besides, the minister informed the house that 27 companies under liquidation were referred to SFIO for investigation.

Of the 27 cases, SFIO has completed investigation in 24 cases and in the remaining 3 cases probe is under progress, Pilot said.

To another query, the Minister said that SFIO has set up the Market Research and Analysis Unit for capacity building, co-ordination with other investigating agencies and for market surveillance.