PNB scam: CBI to file chargesheet against several senior bankers
After three FIRs and 19 arrests, the CBI is all set to file its first chargesheet in the Rs. 12,600cr Punjab National Bank (PNB) loan fraud case involving jewellers Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi. The names of two serving and one former senior official of PNB, along with several others, will reportedly feature in the chargesheet. Here are the details.
Who all feature in the chargesheet?
A CBI official, on the condition of anonymity, revealed that current Allahabad Bank CEO and MD Usha Ananthasubramanian will be charged. She was the CEO and MD of PNB in 2016 when the fraud allegedly took place. PNB executive directors Brahmaji Rao and Sanji Saran, and general manager Nehal Ahad will also be charged. Nirav Modi, of course, will be named in the chargesheet.
Nirav Modi's wife, brother, and uncle Choksi excluded from chargesheet
Excluded from this chargesheet are some names including Nirav Modi's wife, Ami Modi, his brother, Nishal Modi, and his uncle, Mehul Choksi.
A second chargesheet featuring Choksi to be filed soon
Names of all the arrested accused will also feature in this chargesheet. Additionally, a separate chargesheet pertaining to the second FIR registered by the CBI will feature Mehul Choksi. It's expected to be filed by May 18. It is alleged that Modi and Choksi, in connivance with the then PNB deputy manager Gokulnath Shetty, transgressed banking procedures and fraudulently caused PNB "wrongful" loss.
Who all have been arrested in the PNB scam?
So far, the 19 arrests made include PNB officials Gokulnath Shetty, Manoj Kharat, Bechhu Tiwari, Yashwant Joshi, and Praful Sawant. Arrested Nirav Modi-owned Firestar officials include Hemant Bhat, Vipul Ambani, Manish Bosamiya, Miten Pandiya, and Sanjay Rambhiya. Aniyath Shiv Raman Nair and Vipul Chitalia have also been arrested from the Gitanjali Group, associated with Mehul Choksi. However, both Choksi and Modi are still absconding.
