Petition in HC against Kochhar, in Rs 3,200 crore scam

Mumbai: A writ petition has been filed against ICICI Bank chairman-cum-managing director, Chanda Kochhar, for the alleged misappropriation of public funds to the tune of thousands of crores of rupees. The petitioner, BJP MP Dr Udit Raj, has sought directions to the state to register a FIR against the guilty in connection with a 2014 fraud. Dr Raj has demanded a CBI probe into the alleged misappropriation of public money under various government schemes. The Bombay high court has posted the petition for hearing on April 24.

Dr Raj’s lawyer, advocate Mathews Nedumpara, said that the matter was placed before the division bench headed by Justice R.M. Sawant for urgent hearing. According to the petition, Dr Raj, MP and chairman of the All India Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Federation, wrote to Alok Kumar, director, CBI, to register a FIR against Kochhar and others for causing losses worth Rs 3,200 crore to the bank by disbursing loans without adequate security. The petition elaborates how thousands of crores of public money was misappropriated under the guise of central government schemes during the stewardship of Mrs Kochhar.

According to advocate Nedumpara, Dr Raj has sought immediate arrest of the Kochhars and others involved in the fraud, failing which, they will not only destroy evidence but may even leave the country.