Subhash Chandra’s Zee pledge saga: How promoter leverage turned growth ambition into a debt trap

Subhash Chandra’s Essel Group expansion was fuelled partly by borrowing against pledged Zee shares, with personal guarantees adding to the promoter’s obligations. When the IL&FS crisis tightened liquidity and Zee’s share price fell, lenders enforced pledges, eroding Chandra’s stake. The episode offers lessons on promoter leverage, collateral risk and investing.