Long back around 1983-84 or so I had invested some amount in UTI's MASTER SHARE. The bunch of share certificates is lost in transit when I shifted my house. Amount invested is around Rs. 45000/-. How can I recover those shares? Who can help me? Regards

Ans: To claim a lost share certificate in India, follow these steps:

Inform the Company: Notify the company or its Registrar and Transfer Agent (RTA) about the loss of the share certificate. Provide details like your name, folio number, and share certificate number.

File an FIR: Lodge a First Information Report (FIR) with the police, detailing the loss of the share certificate. This is a crucial step to document the incident officially.

Submit an Indemnity Bond: Prepare and submit an indemnity bond to the company, confirming your ownership of the shares and indemnifying the company against any claims.

Provide Supporting Documents: Along with the indemnity bond, submit other required documents such as a copy of the FIR, proof of identity, and address.

Freeze Share Transfers: The company will freeze the transfer of the lost shares for a specific period (usually 30 days) to prevent fraudulent activities.

Duplicate Certificate Issuance: After verifying your claim, the company will issue a duplicate share certificate.

Ans: It's completely understandable to feel stressed when old investments get lost in transition. But there is a clear process in place to help investors like you recover long-forgotten mutual fund investments—even without folio numbers or physical certificates.

Let us address this step-by-step from a Certified Financial Planner’s point of view.

? Understanding Your Investment Background

– You had invested in UTI Mastershare between 1987 and 1992.
– These were likely physical unit certificates.
– Now those are lost during your house shifting.
– You no longer remember the folio number or unit details.
– You want to know how to reclaim or trace the investment.

Let me reassure you—it is very much possible to recover your investment.

? Why You Can Still Recover This Investment

– Mutual funds in India are SEBI-regulated and traceable.
– All units, even old ones, are managed under registrar records.
– UTI Mutual Fund has proper data on old investors.
– They are legally bound to verify your identity and help trace records.
– Even without folio number, they can search with your PAN, name, address, and bank details.

So your money is not lost, just needs effort to trace.

? Steps You Can Take to Recover Your Investment

Here’s the full process you must follow now.

? Step 1: Collect All Personal and Investment Clues

Start by preparing the following:

– Your full name, as used during investment
– Father’s name (sometimes used in records pre-1990s)
– Your old residential address during that investment period
– PAN card (if you had it at the time or now)
– Bank name and branch used for the original investment
– Any cheque stub, bank passbook, or UTI letter (if available)
– Approximate years of investment (1987–1992 in your case)

Even small clues will help narrow down the search.

? Step 2: Reach Out to UTI Mutual Fund Directly

You must now send a written request to UTI Mutual Fund with all above details.

Where to send:

UTI Asset Management Company Ltd
Investor Relations Department
UTI Tower, ‘Gn’ Block,
Bandra Kurla Complex,
Bandra (East), Mumbai – 400051

Or contact their investor helpline:

Toll-Free: 1800 22 1230

Email: invest (at the rate of) uti.co.in

Clearly mention that:
– You had invested in UTI Mastershare (1986 Scheme)
– Approximate period (1987 to 1992)
– Units were lost in transit
– You don’t remember folio number
– Requesting a search by name, old address, and PAN

Attach self-attested copies of:
– PAN card
– Aadhaar card
– Address proof (current and if possible, old)
– Signed letter with full explanation

They will take a few days or weeks to respond with a trace or a request for further details.

? Step 3: Once Folio Is Found – Apply for Duplicate Units

Once UTI confirms they found your record:

– They will guide you to fill a duplicate unit request form
– You will have to submit indemnity bond and possibly affidavit
– If units are in physical form, they will issue an account statement
– If units were converted to demat, they will guide you to link with your demat
– You can request redemption or switch to newer schemes

Once reissued, you can also consolidate units into a modern folio with PAN and KYC compliance.

? Step 4: Update KYC and Link PAN If Not Already Done

If your PAN was not linked earlier, you may be required to complete full KYC process:

– Submit PAN, Aadhaar, Photo, Address Proof
– This allows you to receive money or continue investing
– UTI will guide if any KYC update is needed
– It is mandatory now for all mutual fund units to be KYC compliant

? Step 5: If You Still Get No Response – Use RTI or SEBI SCORES

If after following all steps, UTI does not respond:

– File a Right to Information (RTI) request to UTI
– Or register complaint on SEBI SCORES portal
(https://scores.gov.in)

Explain everything and attach your documents. SEBI will ensure UTI takes action.

? About Tax and Maturity Value of Old Mastershare Units

– UTI Mastershare has grown well since launch.
– It is an equity-oriented scheme.
– Units invested in 1987–1992 may have multiplied many times.
– Dividends may have been paid (but now unclaimed).
– UTI can confirm your current unit value and accumulated dividends.
– If you redeem now, LTCG (Long Term Capital Gain) applies.

As per new tax rules:

Equity mutual fund LTCG above Rs 1.25 lakh is taxed at 12.5%.

STCG (if applicable) is taxed at 20%.

Tax is payable only if you redeem units.

If not needed, you may continue holding the investment. Or switch to new schemes with better diversification.

? What If It Was a Joint Investment?

If you had made it jointly with someone:

– Provide both names and details
– If second holder is deceased, then death certificate is needed
– Legal heir or nominee process applies if both holders not alive

UTI has a smooth process to handle joint or deceased holder cases. Just provide legal papers.

? If You Had Multiple Investments

– Don’t assume only one folio.
– You may have invested in more than one scheme.
– Request UTI to search for all folios linked to your name
– Many old investors find surprise folios with bonus units or dividends.

Always ask for consolidated statement from UTI for peace of mind.

? What You Can Do Going Forward

– Once recovered, move units to a single PAN-linked folio
– Do KYC and link Aadhaar
– Redeem if money is needed or switch to better mutual funds
– Avoid keeping mutual funds in physical form in future
– Always invest via regular plan with MFD + CFP guidance
– Register email, mobile and nominee for all future investments

Your old investment can now be used to build a fresh financial plan.

? Finally

– Your investment in UTI Mastershare is not lost.
– It is recoverable even after 30+ years.
– UTI is legally required to trace and return it.
– Follow the steps above patiently and clearly.
– Gather all identity documents and clues.
– Contact UTI in writing with explanation.
– Be persistent but polite.
– Use RTI or SEBI if they delay response.

You will most likely get back your full investment with growth.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment