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Indian court restrains Invesco from calling meeting of Zee shareholders

By Reuters

  • 26 Oct 2021
Indian court restrains Invesco from calling meeting of Zee shareholders
Credit: 123RF.com

An Indian court on Tuesday temporarily restrained Zee Entertainment Enterprises' top investor Invesco from calling a shareholder meeting, in a win for the TV network that sent its shares higher.

U.S. investment firm Invesco, which owns nearly 18% of Zee via two funds, wants an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) of shareholders in a bid to oust the Indian company's CEO Punit Goenka and to revamp its board.

Zee's shares ended 4.3% higher after the Bombay High Court's order.

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Zee and Invesco did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The Bombay High Court last week proposed that Zee call a shareholder meeting, but ruled in favour of the Indian TV network on Tuesday following arguments by its lawyer including on maintaining a balance between executive and non-executive directors on the board.

Zee approached the Bombay High Court earlier this month seeking an injunction or restraining order against Invesco from taking any steps following its notice to the Indian company calling for an EGM.

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Invesco's calls for a shakeup at Zee over corporate governance comes as the company is planning a merger with the local unit of Japan's Sony Group.

That move is set to create India's biggest broadcaster but Invesco has raised concerns about options given to Zee's founding family, which includes its CEO Goenka, to raise their stake in the merged company to 20%. The founding family of Zee currently owns 4% of its shares.

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