Sebi officials likely to be quizzed on 'leaked' report

Central security agencies are likely to question Sebi officials and a few stock market operators on the leak of a classified report purportedly prepared by the Intelligence Bureau (IB), which led to a fall in share prices of many small and midcap companies. As part of the probe ordered by the Union home ministry, market operators and Sebi officials may be questioned to know whether some players tried to take advantage of the alleged leak, indulged in any unfair trade practices or rigged the stock market.

The probe aimed to unearth the motive behind the circulation of the purported report, the people responsible for the alleged leak and whether any group with vested interest had tried to manipulate the market, official sources said. Investigators are also looking into the possible role played by any government official in the circulation of the report.