13 Things About The Curious Case Of Chitra Ramakrishna, Former NSE MD And Her Guru

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), the regulatory body for securities and commodity market in India, has recently alleged that one of the former Managing Director (MD) and CEO of India’s National Stock Exchange (NSE) Chitra Ramkrishna was running the institution under the influence one spiritual guru, for twenty years.

This high profile corporate misgovernance and corruption case is currently under investigation. As per the reports, the "yogi" had knowledge of the inner works of the organisation. As the bizarre details of this case are making their way to the media question on everyone's mind is was she conned or was all this part of some trap to make money?

Here are 13 things we know in Curious Case Of Chitra Ramakrishna so far:

1. SEBI has alleged that Chitra Ramkrishna was running the institution under the Yogi's influence and they even went to Seychelles to “chill out”. He also took a great interest in her hairstyle.
2. Ramakrishna headed the National Stock Exchange for five years from 2013 to 2016. During her tenure, the stock exchange became the largest stock exchange in the country.
3. SEBI in a 190-page order citing the governance lapses at the exchange said an unknown ‘spiritual force’ advised Ramkrishna to reach out to top officials in the country to make “noises” on self-listing. This happened in 2015.
4. SEBI has said that the former NSE CEO exchanged mails with the "Yogi' and shared details about her salary and promotions.
5. The SEBI report mentions Ramakrishna “continuously shared internal confidential information about the NSE".
6. She reportedly discussed financial data, dividend ratio, business plans, agenda of board meeting and employee performance appraisals.
7. SEBI cited an email quote saying, "If one has to drive home a point, then we need to continuously ponder on seeing our agenda through. So, restructuring is already now a buy-in. We need to make noises on self-listing by knocking on the doors of the few. FM, PMO Somanathan, Cabinet Secretary, Economic Advisor and finally the PM. These are not difficult as you think we must do two people in a mix at a time Kanchan will evaluate as per MY will. Don’t worry the straw knows when to be a capillary and when NOT to. Kanchan is the straw and I will be the suction force for this and you will vomit all that is required as always.”
8. The CBI too questioned the former CEO at her Chembur home.
9. The CBI has issued lookout circulars (LoC) against Chitra Ramakrishna, former NSE Ravi Narain and Group operating officer Anand Subramanian. This prevents them to leave the country.
10. Ramkrishna referred to the unknown 'yogi' who resides somewhere in the Himalayas as “Sironmani”.
11. Ramakrishna in her statement to SEBI said “the Yogi is a Paramahansa who may be largely dwelling in the Himalayan Ranges. I have met him on occasions in holy places. I met him for the first time on the banks of the Ganges nearly 20 years ago directly. Subsequently, over the years, I have taken his guidance on many personal and professional matters”.
12. She also said, “senior leaders often seek informal counsel from coaches, mentors or other seniors in this industry which is all purely informal in nature. In a similar strain, I felt that this guidance would help me perform my role better.”
13. The SEBI report first came out on 11 February.

Suggested Reading:

Video: 62-Years-Old Woman Climbs Second Highest Peak In Kerala