Forensic Files Closed: BGR Energy Passes SBI’s Audit with Flying Colors

BGR Energy Systems Ltd. has got a major boost after the State Bank of India (SBI) formally closed its forensic audit into the company, stating that no fraud was found. This follows a time of uncertainty for the engineering company, which had seen its stock price plummet and contracts being cancelled in recent months.

 

Brief Introduction

BGR Energy Systems, one of the leading players in the engineering and infrastructure space, was recently under the scanner with the launch of a forensic audit by SBI's Stressed Asset Management Branch. The Chaturvedi & Company audited the books amid financial as well as operating woes for the company, such as large-order cancellations and a sharp drop in its stock price. A clean-chit closure of the audit is likely to help instill some degree of investor confidence.

 

Key Points

 

Forensic Audit Closure and Findings

SBI has officially closed the forensic audit of BGR Energy Systems.

 

The audit found no evidence of fraud within the company.

 

SBI has declared BGR Energy’s account as ‘No Fraud’.

 

Background and Context

The forensic audit was initiated by SBI’s Stressed Asset Management Branch in March 2024.

 

Chaturvedi & Company was appointed to conduct the audit; the specific reasons for the audit were not publicly disclosed.

 

The audit came on the heels of a difficult phase for BGR Energy, such as the cancellation of a ₹112.75 crore contract by Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) due to reasons like failure to keep to time schedules and non-performance.

 

Market Reaction

BGR Energy's share had recently reached a 52-week low after the announcement of the contract cancellation and audit.

 

Following the announcement of the audit closure, the stock indicated recovery, increasing 1.27% to ₹40 on the NSE in the latest trading session.

 

Current Financial and Operating Issues

The company had defaulted on payments of ₹631 crore in the recent past.

 

The share price of BGR Energy had fallen 68% from its 52-week high in February 2024, as investors were worried about its financial position and operational issues.

 

Outlook

Closure of the forensic audit with no indication of fraud is a welcome turn of events for BGR Energy Systems. Though the company continues to have enormous operational and financial issues, this development can go some way toward stabilizing its image and create a platform for efforts at recovery.

 

Sources: TradingView/Reuters, MarketScreener, CNBC-TV18, The Hindu Business Line, Business Standard