The trading academy acknowledged “SEBI’s pivotal role in shaping India’s capital markets” and claimed to have trained over 62,000 students across 51 countries and all 35 Indian states/UTs. File | Photo: Reuters & X/@AvadhutsatheTA
Days after a top Securities & Exchange Board of India (SEBI) official informed the media about an ongoing raid at a finInfuencier’s premises as part of the regulator’s drive to crack down on such elements, Avadhut Sathe Trading Academy (ASTA), run by one Avdhut Sathe, has issued a denial.
The SEBI raids had lasted for over 10 hours on their facility in Karjat on August 20, 2025.
The academy has been under the scanner of regulatory authorities for allegedly giving tips to those who enrol for their residential training programme in capital markets.
In a statement issued on Tuesday (August 26, 2025), ASTA stated that its “focus remains on teaching and training”.
“Avadhut Sathe Trading Academy is a training institution and not an advisory service provider or a FinInfluencer,” it said.
“We follow Gurukul learning system and bring to table values or Sanskars, which empower the participants with the right skills, mindset, and discipline to navigate capital markets. Our impetus is to create an ecosystem which is collaborative and supportive. We believe that our trainings not just help gain knowledge about the capital markets but also provide emotional support to deal with ups and downs,” the firm said in a statement.
In the statement it categorically denied “publishing or circulate research reports or stock recommendations, providing personalised investment advice for consideration, and giving trade tips, stock calls, or promise assured returns.”
It said it was “fully cooperating with SEBI and remains committed to providing any additional information or assistance they may require”.
The trading academy acknowledged “SEBI’s pivotal role in shaping India’s capital markets”. It claimed to have trained over 62,000 students across 51 countries and all 35 Indian states/UTs.
At a recent event, Kamlesh Varshney, SEBI’s whole-time member, had said, “If they (finfluencers) are doing education, we have no problem. But in the name of education, if you are misguiding, giving guaranteed return performance, suggesting to sell or buy a particular stock, using live data to trade in the equity market… you cannot do this without SEBI’s registration or without following any rules and regulations.”
Published – August 27, 2025 06:40 am IST
