A Chandigarh man recently found himself at the center of online discussions after discovering unclaimed Reliance shares from 37 years ago, valued at around ₹11-12 lakh, in his home. The shares, originally purchased at ₹10 each by a now-deceased family member, left the man, Rattan Dillon, unsure of how to proceed since he had no experience with the stock market. Seeking advice, he turned to social media for guidance.
Initially, Dillon decided not to pursue the claim. Sharing his frustration on X (formerly Twitter), he expressed disappointment with the lengthy and bureaucratic process required to digitize the physical shares. He explained that obtaining the necessary legal heir certificate alone would take 6-8 months, while the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) process could take up to 2-3 years. Dillon concluded by saying he didn’t see value in spending so much time and effort on the matter, remarking, “India really needs to streamline its paperwork,” and planned to keep the physical certificates as a reminder.
However, following his post, a wave of online support and discussions about government inefficiency ensued. Soon after, Dillon announced a change of heart. In a follow-up tweet, he shared that he had decided to take on the challenge of reclaiming the shares. He thanked IEPFA and KFin Technologies for their offers of assistance and pledged to do his best to gather the necessary documentation.
Dillon further stated that, if successful in recovering the investment, he would donate 50% of the amount to organizations supporting those in need, especially individuals facing medical challenges. He concluded his post with gratitude toward IEPFA for their support, saying, “A big thank you to IEPFA for motivating me and setting an example in the country for reclaiming long-lost investments.”
Earlier, when Dillon sought help online, several X users came forward with valuable yet funny suggestions, including the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority(IEPFA). The IEPFA Authority, which is entrusted with the responsibility of administration of IEPF, making refunds of shares, unclaimed dividends, matured deposits/debentures etc. to investors, replied to Dillon’s post.