Shares of Axis Bank today tanked nearly 2 per cent after the Securities and Exchange Board of India has ordered the lender to conduct a probe into the alleged data leak.

In its first order in the WhatsApp leak case, SEBI had last night ordered Axis Bank to strengthen its systems and conduct an internal probe to fix responsibility as the initial investigation showed that the leakage was due to “inadequacy” of processes at the bank.

Axis Bank stock slumped to a low of Rs 544.35, down 1.83 per cent from its previous close on the BSE. On the NSE, it opened at Rs 546.15, lost ground and hit Rs 544, down 1.91 per cent.

Axis Bank had late last night said that it would work with SEBI on the issue of ‘leakage’ of unpublished price sensitive information and take appropriate action.

It has to complete the inquiry within three months and file a report to SEBI within seven days thereafter, the regulator said, after it found that the company’s results for the June quarter were “either identical or matched closely with the figures” in circulation on WhatsApp prior to an official announcement.

“The bank will work with SEBI and the best experts in the field to investigate the matter and will take action as appropriate,” Axis Bank Executive Director Rajesh Dahiya had said yesterday.

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