PNB Scam case: CBI files 2nd chargesheet against Mehul Choksi, Gitanjali Group firms

In the Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, the CBI today filed its supplementary chargesheet against Mehul Choksi and his companies under Gitanjali Group in Mumbai's Special CBI Court. The second chargesheet of 12000 pages filed under sections 409, 420, 120B of IPC named the billionaire jeweller as 'wanted'. The CBI also charged 16 other entities, besides Choksi and his companies, on the charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating and provisions under the Prevention of Corruption Act. 

Earlier on Monday, the Central Bureau of Investigation had filed its first chargesheet against some former and current bank officials and others in the fraud case involving over Rs 13,000 crore. The probe agency's chargesheet reportedly included Allahabad Bank MD and CEO Usha Ananthasubramanian, and 21 others, including 11 bank officials. Ananthasubramanian was earlier with PNB.

The CBI also named PNB Executive Directors KV Brahmaji Rao and Sanjiv Sharan, and General Managers Nehal Ahad (who dealt in international operations) and Rajesh Jindal in its chargesheet.

The CBI had reportedly registered the first FIR on January 31 against Nirav Modi, his wife Ami, brother Nishal and uncle Mehul Choksi along with others in the wake of complaint by Deputy General Manager of PNB`s Zonal office in Mumbai, on January 29. 

Later, the CBI registered two more FIRs, and most of the accused are common to these FIRs. The chargesheet filed on Monday was reportedly based on the first FIR, while today's chargesheet is based on the second FIR.
So far, 15 people have been arrested in the PNB fraud case, while Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi still at large. 

Meanwhile, shares of Punjab National Bank (PNB) today slumped around 14 per cent (intra-day), a day after the bank reported a loss of over Rs 13,000 crore for the fourth quarter of 2017-18. The PNB had on Tuesday reported a net loss, after closing hours of the stock markets, of Rs 13,417 crore for quarter ended March, against a net profit of Rs 262 crore for the corresponding quarter in 2016-17.

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The bank's share price on the BSE today settled at Rs 75.55, down Rs 10.45 or 12.15 per cent, from the previous close of Rs 86 per share.

(With Agency Inputs)