Ananta Barua has joined as a senior adviser at IndusLaw, following his retirement as a full-time member of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) in 2023.
The central government appointed Barua from 2018, holding pivotal roles at the SEBI until his retirement. He oversaw departments such as market intermediaries and regulation, enforcement, legal affairs, mutual funds and market regulation.
Commenting on Barua’s addition to the firm, Gaurav Dani and Suneeth Katarki, founding partners at IndusLaw, said, “His vast experience and knowledge will further enhance our regulatory practice and help us provide support to our clients on complex regulatory matters.”
With a career that spans more than two decades at the SEBI, Barua served as an executive director for eight-plus years. During this tenure, he spearheaded the regulation and supervision of critical areas such as investment management (including mutual funds, alternative investment funds (AIFs) and portfolio management services), debt and hybrid securities, as well as foreign portfolio investors.
Barua has contributed to shaping the regulatory framework for various financial instruments, including AIFs, real estate investment funds, infrastructure investment trusts, corporate and municipal bonds, green bonds, securitised debt, foreign portfolio investment, research analysts, and investment advisers.
As a SEBI board member, Barua played a key role in evaluating policy proposals, approving regulations, and serving as a quasi-judicial authority and settlement authority.
Barua’s global engagement is highlighted by his membership in the IOSCO Policy Committee on investment management from 2013 to 2017, the G20 Green Finance Study Group and the United Nations Environment Programme from 2016-2017.
Barua was recently appointed to the IFSCA Fund Management Advisory Committee in GIFT City.
