The Dabur group, led by the Burmans, has finally taken control of Religare Enterprises after an 18-month struggle. With a current ownership stake of 25.2%, the Burmans have secured a significant threshold that enables them to implement special resolutions. However, to increase their stake to over 26%, they require approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
Although the Burmans have taken control, they have not yet nominated their representatives to Religare’s board. Previously, four proposed directors, including Arjun Lamba, Abhay Agarwal, Ramanathan Gurumurthy, and Suresh Mahalingam, did not receive approval from the RBI. Lamba, a close associate of Dabur chairman Mohit Burman, is also a director of Eveready Industries.
In a statement, a Burman Group spokesperson expressed their satisfaction at acquiring control of Religare and being designated as its promoters. They emphasized their priority of instilling stability, strengthening governance, and driving sustainable growth at Religare. To achieve this, they will need to submit new director nominations or resubmit previously recommended names for approval from the RBI, ensuring they meet the regulator’s criteria for joining Religare’s board.
The acquisition is significant, as it strengthens the Burmans’ position in the financial services sector. With this move, they are likely to play a more prominent role in shaping the company’s strategy and operations. However, the process is not yet complete, as the Burmans still require RBI approval to increase their stake and appoint their representatives to the board. Once this is achieved, they will have a stronger foothold in Religare and can focus on implementing their goals for the company.