National News
SAIF Partners pares around 6% stake in Senco Gold for Rs 433 cr
Hong Kong-based SAIF Partners on Thursday pared a 5.8 per cent stake in jewellery retailer Senco Gold for Rs 432.72 crore through an open market transaction
Hong Kong-based SAIF Partners on Thursday pared a 5.8 per cent stake in jewellery retailer Senco Gold for Rs 432.72 crore through an open market transaction. SAIF Partners, through its arm SAIF Partners India IV Ltd, sold shares of Kolkata-based Senco Gold on the BSE.
According to the bulk deal data available on the BSE, SAIF Partners India IV offloaded 45,07,487 shares, amounting to a 5.8 per cent stake in Senco Gold.
The shares were disposed of at an average price of Rs 960.02 apiece, taking the deal value to Rs 432.72 crore.After the share sale, SAIF Partners’ shareholding in Senco Gold declined to 4.97 per cent from 10.77 per cent.
Details of the other buyers of Senco Gold’s shares could not be ascertained.Shares of Senco Gold gained 1.30 per cent to close at Rs 964.35 per piece on the BSE.

National News
Smuggled Gold Distorting India’s Bullion Market
Sharp Rise In Smuggled Gold, Driven Largely By The May 2026 Hike In Import Duty To 15%, Which Has Made The Grey Market Significantly Cheaper Than Legal Channels and Squeezed Legitimate Dealers and Jewellers
India’s bullion market is being skewed by a sharp rise in smuggled gold, driven largely by the May 2026 hike in import duty to 15%, which has made the grey market significantly cheaper than legal channels and squeezed legitimate dealers and jewellers.
Market distortion and price gap
- Smuggled gold is now selling at discounts of up to Rs 8,000 per 10 grams compared with official prices, creating a wide arbitrage that undercuts compliant traders.
- Industry executives warn that this price gap is a clear signal of an active grey market, disadvantaging genuine bullion dealers and organised jewellers who pay full duty and taxes.
Scale of illegal inflows
- Industry estimates suggest more than 100 tonnes of gold could enter India through illegal channels in 2026, echoing past surges in smuggling after earlier duty hikes.
- Despite the higher tariff, India’s gold import bill rose 24% to a record $71.9 billion in FY26, even as physical volumes fell to about 721 tonnes, indicating persistent demand being met partly via unofficial routes.
Enforcement response
- Revenue intelligence agencies, particularly the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), have intensified operations against organised smuggling networks using airports, land borders, coastal routes and domestic road transport
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