In Brief
The Supreme Court held that the Securities Appellate Tribunal can only hear appeals against quasi-judicial orders made by SEBI, not against administrative or legislative orders. SEBI's November 2005 circular on dematerialization charges was administrative in nature and thus outside the Tribunal's jurisdiction. The Court allowed SEBI's appeal on the preliminary objection and set aside the Tribunal's decision. However, NSDL was granted liberty to challenge the circular through judicial review proceedings under the Constitution. The Court distinguished prior authority by establishing that only orders under Sections 11(4), 11(b), 11(d), 12(3), and 15-I (quasi-judicial functions) fall within Section 15T's appellate scope.
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