The very purpose of having an independent regulatory authority like SEBI, and vesting it with statutory powers of inquiry, is to enable it to take prompt action in matters relating to issue and transfer of share; particularly, SEBI is expected to be the sentinel, read the fine print of prospectuses keeping the investors’ interests in view; it has both a preventive and corrective role to perform; therefore, it is not possible to place a narrow interpretation on the words “issue and transfer of securities” occurring in Section 55A
Merely because the public issue was closed, SEBI could not be relieved of its statutory duty to conduct an enquiry into the complaint and into the veracity of the statements made in the prospectus
