Essar Energy investors appeal to UK, India govts against takeover.

Minority investors in Essar Energy have appealed to the Indian and UK governments to intervene to head off a forced takeover by its majority owner at a price they say undervalues the company.

Essar Energy is listed in London but remains 78%-owned by the Essar Group, the Indian conglomerate controlled by the Ruia family, which has offered 70 pence per share for the 22% of Essar Energy it does not own.

Other Essar Energy shareholders and independent directors say the figure is too low-but because the majority owner controls more than 75% of the shares it is in a position to push through the delisting regardless.

Robert Hingley, director of investment affairs at the Association of British Insurers, wrote to India's High Commissioner in London and British business minister Vince Cable about the matter on 23 April. Copies of Hingley's letters were released to the media recently.


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