According to a senior HSE official, the bourse has initiated detailed investigations to trace these companies and the reasons for their disappearance all these years.

``We have started enquires to trace out the promoters of these companies,'' he said, although he refused to divulge the names of these companies.

The official said that most of these companies have failed to submit their annual reports or clear their listing fee dues for about two to three years. Even recently posted letters to these companies seeking information such as annual reports, funds flow and cash flow statements, were returned by the postal authorities with a note "address not found", he said.

In accordance with an earlier diktat from the market watchdog to the bourses to list out erring companies which were misappropriatinginvestors' monies raised through public issues, HSE had written letters to all the listed companies seeking information as per the listing agreement. According to sources, SEBI officials are already in Hyderabad to verify HSE findings on these missing companies and are expected to visit the premises of the companies.

Most of the companies from aqua, financial services, telecom and information technology companies figured in the list. The list includes: Kamakshi Housing, KPR Tele, Zed Telecom, Canara Credit, Kanyaka Investments, Sree Lakshmi Engg, Acma Flora, Aditya Alcolides, Aditya Spinning, Amarawati Chemicals, OMC Computers, Fishing Falcon, Somken Marine, Stellar Exports and VIF Airways.