ASTA to challenge Sebi's Rs 546-cr disgorgement order

• Avadhut Sathe Trading Academy (ASTA) will challenge Sebi's order to disgorge Rs 546 crore and bar its founder, Avadhut Sathe, from the securities market.
• Sebi accused ASTA and Sathe of operating an unregistered investment advisory and research analyst business, luring course participants with stock recommendations under the guise of education.
• ASTA denies the allegations, stating it operates solely as an educational institution for skill-building in financial markets and does not provide investment advice or stock recommendations.
• Sebi's interim order directed ASTA and Sathe to cease unregistered services and debarred them from securities markets, citing marketing of profitable trades and claims of high returns.

Why It Matters: Sebi's action against ASTA impacts financial education and investor protection.