Amarchand played a role in a total of five IPOs and Luthra acted on three. AZB scored its first three major capital markets transactions this financial year (see table below).

Companies have rushed to file their draft prospectuses because audited balance sheets are only valid for six months for the purposes of an IPO prospectus.

Yesterday (30 September) was therefore the last day for filing prospectuses to avoid the added cost of re-auditing accounts that for most companies would have been dated and audited as of 31 March.

Amarchand, AZB and Luthra
Luthra & Luthra submitted the draft red herring prospectus for real estate company DB Realty, looking to raise Rs 1,500 crore. AZB Mumbai represented the underwriters domestically with Jones Day acting as international counsel for the banks.

IL & FS Transportation Networks also called on Luthra & Luthra to represent it on its IPO, with Amarchand Mumbai and Clifford Chance Singapore acting for the banks.

Luthra & Luthra Delhi capital markets partner Madhurima Mukherjee also led as sole counsel to jewellery brand Goenka Diamonds and Jewels on its issue.

Multiservice operator and cable TV & broadband internet provider Hathway Cable and Datacom Limited is looking to offload almost 20 per cent of its stock through an IPO. AZB Mumbai advised the company and the underwriters were advised by Delhi based S & R Associates and Clifford Chance Singapore.

Commercial and luxury residential real estate developer Ambience is expected to raise Rs 1200-1300 crore from its initial public offering for which it filed the dfraft prospectus yesterday. Amarchand Delhi and AZB acted as the legal counsel or the company and underwriters respectively. The London office of Dorsey & Whitney acted as the international legal counsel to the underwriters.

Ashoka Buildcon, a Nashik based company involved in construction of roads and bridges, has also filed its draft red herring prospectus with the market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). Amarchand Mangaldas Mumbai advised as the domestic counsel to the issue with the London office of Dorsey & Whitney acted as the international counsel to the underwriters IDFC-SSKI, Enam Securities and Motilal Oswal. The company had first filed its draft prospectus in January last year, which was postponed due to the market conditions.

Vascon Engineers has filed its draft prospectus with the Bangalore office of Amarchand advising the issue and Jones Day Singapore acting as the international legal advisors to the underwriters. The company had previously filed its draft prospectus in November 2007 and has retained the same advisors this time around.

As first reported on Legally India, Reliance Infratel has also now filed its draft prospectus to raise Rs 5000 crore with Amarchand, Khaitan & Co and Linklaters Singapore advising the company and the underwriters respectively.

Crawford Bayley
Aqua Logistics, a third party logistics service provider, has filed its draft prospectus with Mumbai-based Crawford Bayley partner Sanjay Asher advising the company on the issue.

Textiles firm Mandhana Industries also turned to Crawford Bailey's Asher for its listing.

Others
The Mumbai office of Khaitan & Co acted for Kolkata-based jewellery chain Shree Ganesh Jewellery House, which plans to raise Rs 200-300 crore.

Vaish Associates in Delhi advised high-tech power equipment major PCI on filing the draft prospectus for its proposed initial public offering.

Construction major Lodha Developers is looking to raise around Rs 2500 crores through its initial public offering for which it filed its draft prospectus yesterday. Wadia Ghandy & Co is legal counsel to the company and Amarchand and Linklaters Singapore are acting as the underwriters' domestic legal counsel and international legal counsel respectively.

Emmbi Polyarns, which is India’s largest manufacturer of 'Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers' (FIBCs or 'Jumbo Bags') and woven sacks, has been advised by Mumbai-based Corporate Law Chambers India on its issue. The team advising the initial public offering was led by partner Mr. A. Y. Srinivasan.

Gravitas India, a Rajasthan-based lead manufacturing company, has filed its draft prospectus for its proposed IPO with Jaipur-based law firm Chir Amrit Law Chambers acting as the legal advisors to the issue.

Packaging company Midfield Industries drew on Delhi-IPO and compliance boutique JurisPrudent Consulting Partners.

Top firm IPO instructions period 23 September 2009 - 1 October 2009

Source: current SEBI fillings

Check back on Legally India next week for a round-up of IPOs so far this year.