ORDER :

Hima Kohli, J.

1. The present petition has been filed challenging the order dated 20.10.2020, passed by the respondent No.1/Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), appointing Grant Thornton Bharat LLP (for short, ‘GTB’) as a Forensic Auditor in respect of the financial statements of the respondent No.2/company for the Financial Years 2018-19 and 2019-20 on the ground of conflict of interest and violation of the principles of natural justice.

2. The facts of the case leading to filing of the writ petition are as follows:-

(a) The writ petitioner is a resident of Hyderabad and a minority shareholder of the respondent No.2/company, holding 790 equity shares in D-MAT form, vide DP ID IN301151.

(b) Respondent No.2 is a Public Limited Company listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE) having a paid-up share capital of Rs.97,67,61,310 (Rupees ninety seven crores sixty seven lakh sixty one thousand three hundred and ten only). The respondent No.2/company was engaged in the business of procurement of milk, manufacturing of milk products and distribution of the same and cattle feed. After sale of its dairy business, the respondent No.2/company i