Paytm CEO Sharma forgoes 21 million employee stock options worth over ₹1,800 crore amid SEBI scrutiny

Paytm announced on Wednesday, April 16, that its founder and chief executive officer (CEO) Vijay Shekhar Sharma has foregone 21 million employee stock options granted to him, worth over ₹1,800 crore, months after the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) issued show-cause notices over violation of rules on grant of share-based employee benefits.

“Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Chairman, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the company vide letter dated April 16, 2025, has informed the company that he has voluntarily forgone all 2,10,00,000 ESOPs granted to him under One 97 Employees Stock Option Scheme, 2019, with immediate effect,” said Paytm in a regulatory filing to the stock exchanges.