Abhiraj Arora serves as Partner within the Securities Regulatory Practice team at Saraf and Partners. With a career spanning over a decade, Abhiraj specializes in providing strategic counsel to publicly listed companies, their promoters, directors, and key management personnel on an array of pivotal regulatory frameworks. His areas of expertise encompass Listing Regulations, SEBI (ICDR) Regulations, Takeover Regulations, PFUTP Regulations and Insider Trading Regulations.
In addition to his advisory role, Abhiraj has substantial experience in conducting due diligence assessments for transactions involving listed companies. Abhiraj has experience in conducting due diligence on transactions by listed companies and drafting and filing of Reclassification Application and assisting in the Scheme of Arrangements before Stock Exchanges. Additionally, Abhiraj also assists clients in the investigations and enforcement proceedings before the Stock Exchanges and Regulator. Furthermore, Abhiraj extends his expertise in assisting clients during investigations and enforcement proceedings before Stock Exchanges and regulatory bodies.
Beyond his advisory capacity, Abhiraj consistently represents his clients in matters before Stock Exchanges, SEBI, and the Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT). He is also actively involved in individual litigation on various fronts.
Abhiraj has a track record of assisting Mutual Funds, Investment Advisors, and other intermediaries in addressing compliance issues under SEBI Regulations. He is well-versed in the intricacies of drafting applications and seeking exemptions under diverse regulations, including those related to Listing and ICDR.
Prior to joining Saraf and Partners, Abhiraj gained invaluable experience during a tenure of more than seven years with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). His role there was integral to the Surveillance and Enforcement Department, where he contributed significantly to investigations involving the Integrated Surveillance System (IMSS) and Data Warehousing Business Intelligence System (DWBIS). His responsibilities spanned cases related to Insider Trading, Take Over Code, Fraud, and unfair trade practices, with notable involvement in the IPO Scam concerning 21 IPOs.
As part of the Enforcement Team at SEBI, Abhiraj was deeply involved in a variety of proceedings under the SEBI Act, encompassing debarment, penalty enforcement, criminal proceedings, enquiry proceedings, and settlement proceedings.
In addition to his professional engagements, Abhiraj conducts regular sessions on Insider Trading Regulations, Corporate Governance, and the Liability of Independent Directors for the boards of directors and compliance teams of multinational and domestic companies, including renowned entities like Asian Paints, Infosys, TTK Prestige, ICICI Lombard General Insurance Ltd, and Gujarat Pipavav Port Ltd.
Abhiraj also shares his expertise as a Visiting Faculty at the Government Law College, Mumbai, offering guidance to postgraduate students in Securities Laws. He has also served as a mentor and judge in Moot Courts across colleges in India.
