New Delhi, Aug 11: The promoters of Bharat Hotels, including Lalit Suri and his investment firms, may soon launch an open offer for increasing their stake to beyond 90 per cent as a prelude to delisting the company from Indian bourses. The proposed offer may be launched through Deeksha Holding Ltd, a holding company of the promoters which holds the largest 43 per cent stake in Bharat Hotels.
The company has scheduled a meeting of its board of directors on July 31 to dicuss and approve the delisting proposal, chairman and managing director of Bharat Hotels Lalit Suri said.

"The promoters will give minority shareholders an exit option. This will be done through an open offer," he said.
While 16 per cent of the company's equity is in the form of global depository receipts (GDR), seven per cent lies with the Indian public where as directors and his firms hold over 77 per cent shares of the company.

PN Vijay Financial Services has been appointed as the merchant banker for the delisting exercise.
Bharat Hotels will be making an open offer for the GDRs listed in the Luxembourg Stock Exchange as also to the Indian shareholders. The company had earlier went for a initial public offering in 1981.
Bureau Report