Sebi Raids FinInfluencer Avadhut Sathe’s Academy In Karjat; Probes Unregistered Advisory And Alleged ₹500 Crore Gains
Sebi Raids FinInfluencer Avadhut Sathe’s Academy In Karjat; Probes Unregistered Advisory And Alleged ₹500 Crore Gains
Pune, 22 August 2025: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has carried out a two-day search operation at the Karjat-based academy of financial influencer Avadhut Sathe, according to a report by Business Standard. The raid, conducted from August 20 to 21, was executed under prior court approvals and detailed reconnaissance, with officials seizing digital devices, trading records, and other materials for forensic analysis.
Sources cited by NDTV Profit indicate that Sathe is being investigated for allegedly offering unregistered investment advisory services. The value of potential illegal gains from these activities is estimated to be in the range of ₹400–500 crore.
This action is part of Sebi’s broader crackdown on “finfluencers” — financial influencers who may be providing stock tips, guaranteed returns, or investment calls under the guise of education without holding mandatory regulatory registration.
While Sebi has not officially named individuals, Whole-Time Member Kamlesh Chandra Varshney recently confirmed at a FICCI event that the regulator had executed a major operation targeting a leading figure in the trading education sector.
Avadhut Sathe, known for his unconventional teaching methods, runs the Avadhut Sathe Trading Academy (ASTA) and has a large online following, including over 900,000 YouTube subscribers. Media reports suggest that apart from conducting stock market training, his academy also offered investment tips, including penny stock recommendations, through private groups — a practice under regulatory scrutiny.
Authorities are currently analyzing seized data to determine the extent of violations and whether there were any manipulative market practices involved.
