Stock Market Insights

Reliance Capital Bankruptcy - What It Means for Stockholders?

SEBI's strong oversight has made bankruptcies and scams rare occurrences in today's world. Get informed about Reliance Capital now.

Important Regulators of India

India's financial ecosystem is governed by a network of institutions that operate collaboratively to foster market transparency and stability. At the heart of the system lies the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the central banking institution responsible for regulating and supervising financial institutions and markets.

Complementing the RBI's efforts is the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), which serves as the regulatory body for the securities market, overseeing stock exchanges, brokers, and listed companies.

Overseeing the insolvency and bankruptcy proceedings is the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI), which regulates the related processes.

By working together, these institutions play a pivotal role in maintaining the integrity and trust in India's financial markets.

A Look Back at Bankruptcy Proceedings in India

India has experienced a tumultuous journey with the stock market, with several high-profile scams and bankruptcies dotting its history.

Among them, the notorious 1992 Harshad Mehta scam stands out, where a stockbroker cleverly exploited the banking system's loopholes to manipulate the stock market, leading to a massive market crash and widespread panic among investors.
In 2001, the Ketan Parekh scam shook the market, resulting in the collapse of several well-known companies.
More recently, the 2018 IL&FS crisis and the 2019 DHFL bankruptcy have raised alarm bells about the need for stronger regulatory oversight in the financial sector.

These crises have resulted in significant investor losses and fuelled concerns about company governance practices. As India's financial landscape continues to evolve, regulatory bodies like the Reserve Bank of India, the Securities and Exchange Board of India, and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India play a critical role in safeguarding the integrity of the country's financial markets.

Another major event was that of Reliance Capital.

What Happened With Reliance Capital?

Reliance Capital, the financial services arm of the Reliance Group, was once one of India’s leading non-banking financial companies (NBFCs). However, the company’s fortunes worsened in 2019 when a series of defaults and downgrades triggered a chain of events that ultimately led to its bankruptcy filing in February 2020.

India’s non-banking financial companies were hit hard by the 2018 IL&FS crisis, which created a ripple effect in the financial sector, causing a liquidity crunch that made it challenging for these companies to raise funds.

Among the companies affected by the crisis was Reliance Capital, the financial services arm of the Reliance Group, which faced further challenges when its creditworthiness was downgraded by several rating agencies.

The company's troubles mounted, and its stock price plummeted from Rs 275 in August 2018 to a mere Rs 10 in March 2020. Its inability to meet its debt obligations led to its bankruptcy filing in February 2020, with outstanding debts exceeding Rs 19,000 crore owed to banks, mutual funds, and retail investors.

The bankruptcy filing triggered an investigation by the Securities and Exchange Board of India, which alleged that Reliance Capital had violated several regulations and misled investors about its financial health.

The collapse of Reliance Capital highlights the importance of stronger regulatory oversight in India's financial sector, with stakeholders calling for reforms to protect investors and prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. The impact of this bankruptcy is still being felt across the industry, and it serves as a cautionary tale for other NBFCs to exercise caution in their operations and financial management.

What’s Happening Now?

Reliance Capital has encountered legal and regulatory obstacles since filing for bankruptcy. The Delhi High Court appointed a resolution professional in September 2020 to develop a plan to recover assets for distribution to creditors. In November 2020, the SEBI barred Reliance Capital and its chairman from accessing the securities market for two years, alleging investor deception.

In April 2021, the resolution professional submitted a resolution plan for Reliance Capital’s assets, which is under review. The RBI referred Reliance Capital for bankruptcy resolution in November 2021, appointing an administrator.

By December 2022, only four investors submitted final bids below the liquidation value, leading to an e-auction to revise bid prices. A second auction was postponed to April 11, 2023, with three suitors confirming their participation: IndusInd Holdings Ltd, Torrent Investment, and Oaktree Capital. Despite a scheduled Supreme Court hearing in August, the second round of the auction will proceed.

How Does It Affect You?

The bankruptcy of Reliance Capital has created a ripple effect, causing significant distress for its investors, particularly its creditors. The creditors have found themselves in a challenging financial situation with an outstanding debt of over Rs 19,000 crore.

The resolution plan, which proposes the sale of the company’s assets to repay the debt, is expected to provide some respite to the creditors. However, the recovery rate for the creditors is expected to be low, considering the significant haircut that they will have to take. The company's once valuable assets, valued at over Rs. 60,000 crore, have now lost their sheen.

The ongoing legal battle between the company and regulatory authorities has only added to the uncertainty and further delayed the recovery process, leaving investors in a state of unease.

Bottom Line

The bankruptcy of Reliance Capital has once again highlighted the need for stronger regulatory oversight in India’s financial sector. The company’s downfall was triggered by a series of defaults and downgrades, which could have been prevented if proper checks and balances had been in place.

The legal battle between the company and regulatory authorities has also highlighted the need for a more efficient and transparent dispute-resolution mechanism.

The outcome of the Reliance Capital bankruptcy proceedings will have far-reaching implications for the creditors and investors in India’s financial markets. The recovery rate for the creditors is expected to be low, which could lead to a loss of confidence among investors.

Overall, the bankruptcy of Reliance Capital serves as a stark reminder of the risks involved in investing in the stock market. While the potential for high returns may be attractive, investors must be aware of the risks and conduct thorough due diligence before investing their money.

In the end, it is always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to investing in the financial markets.