Mumbai: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has appointed three senior officers – Amit Pradhan, Avneesh Pandey, and Sanjay Chandrakant Purao – as Executive Directors (EDs). Their appointments took effect on Friday, August 22, 2025, as per official press releases and media reports.
Amit Pradhan to Lead Legal and Prosecution Affairs
Mr Pradhan will take charge of SEBI’s Legal Affairs Department (Vertical I) and the Prosecution & Settlement Department. With nearly 28 years of regulatory and legal experience, Pradhan has held several key positions, including Regional Director of SEBI’s Northern Regional Office in New Delhi, and head of the Legal Affairs Department.
His leadership in legal enforcement and policy-making is expected to bolster SEBI’s legal arm as the regulator continues to tackle increasingly complex market and compliance issues.
Avneesh Pandey to Head Information Technology Department
Veteran officer Mr Pandey has been entrusted with leading SEBI’s Information Technology Department (ITD). With over 30 years of experience in securities regulation, Pandey has worked extensively on IT strategy, SupTech (Supervisory Technology), business process innovation, cybersecurity, and big data analytics.
His appointment is seen as a move to accelerate SEBI’s digital transformation journey, especially in areas like AI-powered surveillance systems, data-driven regulation, and risk management.
Sanjay Purao to Oversee Investigations, Recovery & Refund
Mr Purao will now head the Corporation Finance Investigation Department (CFID), Recovery & Refund Department, and Internal Investigation Department. Purao has been with SEBI since 1996 and has served across a wide spectrum of functions including surveillance, corporate finance, market regulation, and investment management.
He previously led SEBI’s Hyderabad office and has represented the regulator in several domestic policy groups and international regulatory committees. His deep institutional knowledge positions him well to strengthen SEBI’s enforcement and recovery mechanisms.
Strategic Appointments to Strengthen SEBI’s Functional Arms
These strategic appointments come at a time when SEBI is focusing on increased regulatory oversight, faster enforcement, digital modernization, and investor protection. The induction of experienced officers in these roles is expected to streamline departmental leadership and enhance operational efficiency.
