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SEBI fines stock market influencer Asmita Patel who made Rs 104 crore by selling tips

SEBI concluded that Patel’s assertions about managing a substantial portfolio “appear completely false and were likely made to entice participants to various courses.”

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Asmita Jitesh Patel, a director of the well-known Asmita Patel Global School of Trading Pvt Ltd, appears to have constructed her business empire through exaggerated claims and false promises of effortless wealth.

One of the most troubling aspects of her approach was the irresponsible advice given to participants in her courses and workshops, including urging them to borrow money for trading and to quit their jobs to pursue trading full-time.

On February 6, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) froze illegal profits totalling nearly ₹54 crore and demanded that the school and its directors explain why approximately ₹104 crore in fees should not be confiscated.

SEBI officials found that representatives from the school, including Patel, cited numerous examples of individuals abandoning their jobs and achieving remarkable success after taking her courses or following her trading strategies. For instance, it was claimed that a vice president of a large company increased his trading capital from ₹30 lakh to ₹3 crore, a chartered accountant boosted his capital from ₹30 lakh to ₹12 crore, and an engineer left his job to become a full-time trader, accumulating ₹80 lakh in trading capital.

The SEBI order highlighted that “students/investors/participants were encouraged to leave their jobs and join MPAT (a course offered by her institute) in order to achieve significant success.” Participants were even advised to withdraw from mutual fund investments or to use borrowed money if they lacked sufficient capital. In a recorded conversation with a course participant, Patel suggested borrowing for trading, recommending that the interest rate not exceed 18 per cent.

Over multiple discussions, stock trading was portrayed as a lucrative business with continuous profits. One student was told to anticipate returns of 35-40 per cent, and the risk-reward ratio was touted as 1:3, among other enticing figures.

While SEBI regulations allow minors to hold demat and trading accounts, the operation of these accounts requires the involvement of a guardian, and trading accounts can only be used for selling securities acquired through gifts, transfers, or regulatory directives. According to SEBI’s guidelines, “a minor cannot enter into a contract with a stock broker to buy or sell any security.”

In one video, Patel downplayed the necessity of understanding financial markets or statements, stating that even someone with a basic education who could perform simple arithmetic could invest in stocks.

Patel frequently referred to herself using grandiose titles, dubbing herself the “She Wolf of the stock market” and the “options queen,” asserting that her strategies could yield returns of up to 300 per cent. However, SEBI’s investigation revealed that from 2019 to January 2024, the school and Patel registered trading profits of merely ₹12.28 lakh.

She also claimed to manage portfolios totalling ₹140 crore and oversee funds worth ₹283 crore, but the investigation indicated these figures were grossly inflated. The actual turnover from the trades associated with her accounts and the school was just over ₹15.27 crore, a fraction of her claim regarding the ₹140 crore portfolio.

SEBI concluded that Patel’s assertions about managing a substantial portfolio “appear completely false and were likely made to entice participants to various courses.”

Furthermore, the agreements signed by clients and students enrolling in her programs contained peculiar clauses, one of which stated that any loss in trading capital during the program would not affect the participant’s “mental stability, physical health, and social well-being.”

The agreements included a disclaimer asserting that the institute does not endorse get-rich-quick schemes, emphasizing a belief in hard work and value addition. However, SEBI’s preliminary findings suggested that “despite disclaimers in the agreements with students/investors/participants asserting that it was not a get-rich program and that no returns were guaranteed, the actual circumstances stood in stark contrast.”

India News

Abhishek Banerjee says will not bow to BJP after nearly 11 hours of ED questioning

After spending nearly 11 hours before the Enforcement Directorate, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said he would not bow to the BJP and accused the ruling party of using investigative agencies for political purposes.

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Abhishek Banerjee

Trinamool Congress leader and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday said he would not bow to the BJP after spending nearly 11 hours being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Speaking after the questioning, Banerjee alleged that central agencies were being used to target opposition leaders and asserted that he would continue his political fight despite what he described as sustained pressure.

The TMC leader has repeatedly maintained that investigations involving him are politically motivated, a charge he has made on several previous occasions while appearing before central agencies.

His appearance before the ED comes amid a period of heightened political activity and multiple investigations involving leaders in West Bengal. Recent days have also seen Banerjee face summons and questioning in separate matters by state investigative agencies.

After leaving the ED office, Banerjee reiterated that he would not be intimidated and said he remained committed to his political responsibilities. He also accused the BJP of attempting to weaken opposition parties through investigative action, an allegation that the BJP has rejected in the past.

The Enforcement Directorate has not publicly commented on Banerjee’s remarks. The investigation related to the questioning remains ongoing.

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India News

DMK attacks Rahul Gandhi, accuses him of weakening opposition unity

DMK has intensified its criticism of Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader’s actions have weakened opposition unity and strained relations within the INDIA bloc.

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Rahul-Gandhi

The war of words between the DMK and Congress has intensified, with the DMK launching a strong attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and accusing him of contributing to divisions within the opposition alliance. The criticism comes amid strained ties between the two parties following their political split in Tamil Nadu.

According to the DMK, Rahul Gandhi’s political approach has weakened unity among opposition parties. The party’s IT wing mocked the Congress leader on social media, while an editorial published in the DMK’s official mouthpiece Murasoli questioned his recent remarks on opposition solidarity.

DMK questions Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on opposition unity

In its editorial, Murasoli argued that Rahul Gandhi was speaking about opposition unity despite, according to the DMK, contributing to disagreements among alliance partners in several states. The publication cited criticism directed at Congress by various opposition parties and suggested that the party’s actions had often created tensions within the INDIA bloc.

The editorial also referred to past political disputes involving Congress and Left parties, particularly in Kerala, claiming such episodes had raised concerns among opposition allies about Congress’s approach toward its partners.

Tamil Nadu political fallout adds to tensions

The attack comes after a major political realignment in Tamil Nadu. Following the 2026 Assembly elections, Congress ended its alliance with the DMK and joined the government led by Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The move left the DMK in the opposition and significantly altered the political equation between the two former allies.

The DMK has alleged that Congress benefited from the alliance during the election and later abandoned its partner. The party’s editorial questioned whether assurances from Congress leadership would be trusted by alliance partners after the developments in Tamil Nadu.

Congress rejects allegations

Congress has not issued a detailed official response to the editorial, but party sources have rejected the allegations. According to the party, its decisions in Tamil Nadu were made in line with the mandate delivered by voters and were not intended to undermine either the DMK or the broader opposition alliance.

The latest exchange highlights growing strains between two key opposition parties even as leaders continue to stress cooperation on national issues. Just days earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that the DMK remained aligned with the opposition on defending the “idea of India” despite political differences.

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Entertainment

Kumkum Bhagya actor Sanchita Ugale dies by suicide near Mumbai at 22

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, died by suicide at her residence near Mumbai. Police have launched an investigation.

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Sanchita Ugale

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for her appearances in Kumkum Bhagya, Wagle Ki Duniya and Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi, died by suicide at her residence in Nalasopara East near Mumbai on June 14. She was 22.

According to police officials, the incident took place at her home in Achole village, Nalasopara East. Authorities said Ugale had locked herself inside her bedroom and was later found hanging from a ceiling fan. Family members and local residents rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Officials said inquiries are underway and the exact reason behind the incident has not yet been established.

Career across television, OTT and films

Ugale had built a growing presence in the entertainment industry through television, streaming projects and films. Apart from Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, she played a lead role in Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi. She also appeared in OTT projects such as Crime Aaj Kal and Silence 2.

The actor was also associated with the film Chhaava, which contributed to her growing recognition among audiences.

Last social media post draws attention

Following news of her death, social media users shared and commented on Ugale’s final Instagram post, which had been uploaded hours before the incident. The post showed the actor in traditional attire lip-syncing to a classic Bollywood song. Fans expressed shock and grief after learning of her death.

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