The Indian tribunal has given a green signal to Punit Goenka, the top executive of Zee Entertainment, to resume his board positions, setting the stage for the merger of Zee Entertainment with Sony Group’s Indian unit.

What Happened: As per a recent report, the Indian tribunal has lifted the ban on Punit Goenka, thereby permitting him to hold crucial positions in any of the four Zee Group companies. This decision allows Goenka to take up his proposed role in the upcoming merger between Zee Entertainment and Sony Group’s Indian unit.

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The shares of Zee Entertainment witnessed a rise of up to 3.7% following the announcement of the order. Previously, the Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) had imposed a ban on both Goenka and Zee Group Chairman Subhash Chandra from holding positions in the boards of Zee companies, on the grounds of alleged fund misappropriation. As of now, the final decision regarding Chandra is still awaited.

Zee Entertainment announced a proposed merger with Sony’s Indian business back in 2021, but an interim order from SEBI delayed it by barring Goenka from the directorships of any listed companies. Following this ruling, Zee Entertainment stated that Goenka is ready to cooperate with any further regulatory investigations.

Why It Matters: This development is crucial, as it removes a significant hurdle in the proposed merger of Zee Entertainment and Sony’s Indian unit. The merger, a pivotal strategic move for both companies in the highly competitive Indian entertainment market, had been hanging in the balance due to SEBI’s interim order. The lifting of the ban on Goenka potentially smoothens the path for the merger, offering a boost to Zee Entertainment’s shares in the process. However, they have yet to announce the final outcome, which depends on the verdict regarding Zee Group Chairman Subhash Chandra.

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