CBI questions Chanda Kochhar's brother-in-law over bank dealings with Videocon

Representation pic

Rajiv Kochhar, the brother-in-law of ICICI Bank MD & CEO Chanda Kochhar, was detained by immigration authorities at Mumbai airport when he was to leave for a Southeast Asian country and handed over to CBI sleuths, who questioned him in connection with the bank's dealing with Videocon Group.

Kochhar was stopped from leaving the country at the Mumbai international airport by the authorities as the CBI had issued a lookout circular (LoC) against him, officials said. He was handed over to a CBI team, which is questioning him in connection with the case, they said.

The CBI has already questioned a few ICICI bank officials as part of a preliminary enquiry to find if any quid pro quo was involved in the bank issuing a R3,250-crore loan to Videocon Group in 2012. Agency officials said they are also studying relevant documents of the transaction and if they come across any evidence that indicates wrongdoing, ICICI bank Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Chanda Kochhar, her husband Deepak Kochhar along with others could be summoned for detailed questioning.

They said the statements of nodal officers of ICICI bank, who were part of processing the loan of about R3,250 crore, have been recorded as part of the preliminary enquiry or PE registered six weeks ago. The PE has named Videocon Group promoter Venugopal Dhoot, Deepak Kochhar and unidentified others, they said.

A PE is a precursor before the agency lodges an FIR to probe criminal charges on the basis of evidence collected during the former exercise. The deal recently made news after reports questioned the loan and linked it to a possible quid pro quo that Dhoot allegedly had with NuPower Renewables, a company founded by Deepak Kochchar.

Last week, the ICICI bank board came out in support of Chanda Kochhar, saying it had full faith and confidence in her and described certain reports against her regarding credit disbursement to Videocon Group as "malicious and unfounded rumours".

Rs 3,250 cr
Amount of loan ICICI bank issued to Videocon Group

2012
The year when the loan was issued

Catch up on all the latest Mumbai news, crime news, current affairs, and also a complete guide on Mumbai from food to things to do and events across the city here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates