SEBI Chief Warns: “Market Manipulation Will Not Be Tolerated”
SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey has delivered a strong message to the financial markets, stating that market manipulation will face zero tolerance from the regulatory body. His comments come in the wake of SEBI’s interim order against US-based Jane Street Group, which was accused of unfair trade practices and directed to disgorge over ₹4,800 crore.
Pandey addressed the media following the ruling and made his position unambiguous:
“All what I can say that market manipulation is not going to be tolerated.”
The case against Jane Street, one of the largest proprietary trading firms globally, marks a significant regulatory milestone. SEBI alleged that the firm, along with its affiliates, engaged in manipulative trades on Indian stock exchanges that distorted market prices and volume.
The chairman revealed that surveillance systems have been significantly upgraded to detect and prevent such behavior:
“We have effectively increased surveillance, both at the exchange level as well at the SEBI level.”
These remarks were made during an interaction at an event hosted by the Bombay Chartered Accountants Society, where Pandey also addressed the broader responsibilities of professionals in upholding transparency and flagging conflicts of interest in financial disclosures.
At the same time, he cautioned against regulatory overreach, suggesting that while compliance is essential, excessive burdens may backfire:
“Too much information, too much compliance adds to a big compliance burden which may not actually serve the interest that we really intend to serve.”
He encouraged industry professionals and market participants to support a risk-based, intelligent regulatory approach that focuses on outcomes rather than checklists.
Reiterating SEBI’s position, Pandey doubled down on enforcement measures:
“Market manipulation is not going to be tolerated at any cost.”
The statement reflects SEBI’s evolving stance toward more assertive market oversight, particularly in light of increasing algorithmic and high-frequency trading activity that can blur the lines between legal strategy and manipulation.
As the fallout from the Jane Street case unfolds, it signals a broader regulatory push toward accountability, transparency, and the protection of investor trust in India’s capital markets.
