SEBI Bans YouTube Finfluencer Ravindra Balu Bharti, Imposes ₹9.49 Crore Fine
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has barred YouTube finfluencer Ravindra Balu Bharti, his company Ravindra Bharti Education Institute, and three associates from accessing the securities market until April 4, 2025, and imposed a ₹9.49 crore penalty for “unlawful gains.” The ban follows allegations of running an unregistered investment advisory business. SEBI’s order named Bharti, Shubhangi Ravindra Bharti, Rahul Ananta Gosavi, and Dhanashri Chandrakant Giri in the case.
SEBI revealed that Bharti leveraged his YouTube channels, with a combined 19.13 lakh subscribers, to promote unregistered investment advice and sell multiple plans to clients. His company’s employees allegedly provided limited trade input and incomplete risk disclosures, violating fiduciary duties and Investment Adviser (IA) Regulations. The regulator’s review found that inexperienced investors were lured by Bharti’s financial influencer reach, leading to significant regulatory breaches.
In addition to the market ban, SEBI ordered Bharti and his associates to repay ₹9.49 crore with 6% interest, imposed penalties totaling ₹15 lakh, and prohibited them from offering investment advisory services without proper registration. The entities are also required to cease operations under the names “Ravindra Bharti Education Institute” or “Ravindra Bharti Wealth.”
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