WhatsApp leak case: Sebi orders Axis Bank to conduct internal probe

Inquiry reveals lender's leaked earnings closely matched with actual figures; regulator asks Axis Bank to conduct inquiry and submit report within three months

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) on Thursday pulled up Axis Bank for the alleged leak of its June-quarter earnings on social media platform WhatsApp. The market regulator said its preliminary examination showed “the messages circulated on WhatsApp groups almost matched with the quarter financial results of Axis Bank for June 2017, which were published subsequently”.
 
Sebi directed the bank to conduct an internal probe into the leak and submit its findings within three months. The inquiry should determine the people responsible for the leak, the regulator said. It also asked the private sector lender to “strengthen