New Delhi, Oct. 15 -- The capital markets regulator has ordered that the alleged illegal gains of more than Rs.173 crore be impounded from certain individuals after uncovering an insider trading scheme involving a Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) official and trading in the shares of Indian Energy Exchange Ltd (IEX).

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) barred eight individuals from the securities market, according to an ex parte interim order issued on 15 October. The regulator instructed noticees to deposit the "ill-gotten gains" into interest-bearing fixed deposit accounts with a lien marked in Sebi's favour.

All eight individuals are from two main family groups: the Soran family, which includes Bhoovan S...