No Reference From SFIO On ICICI Bank Matter, Says Corporate Affairs Secretary
The investigative agency, however, said it is well within its ambit to make a reference about a case.
It is well within the SFIO’s ambit to make a reference about a case, but there is no such reference currently with the corporate affairs ministry on the issue involving ICICI Bank and the Videocon Group, a senior official said today.
Against the backdrop of controversy over alleged conflict of interest and quid pro quo involving ICICI Bank's Chief Executive Officer Chanda Kochhar and her family members in extending a loan to the Videocon Group, reports said the Serious Fraud Investigation Office has sought permission to look into the matter.
The probe agency comes under the corporate affairs ministry.
On whether the matter is being looked at by the SFIO, Corporate Affairs Secretary Injeti Srinivas said there is no such reference in the ministry and added that the Reserve Bank of India is looking into it.
“If the SFIO considers it necessary to make a reference to the ministry, it is well within its ambit,” he told reporters.
The CBI has launched a preliminary investigation into the Rs 3,250 crore loan ICICI Bank had extended to Videocon in 2012, and the role of Chanda Kochhar’s husband Deepak Kochhar.
The bank’s board has reposed full faith in Chanda Kochhar.