PNB fraud case: RBI says examining enforcement action
Team Udayavani, Apr 1, 2018, 12:18 PM IST
New Delhi: With multiple agencies probing the alleged Rs 13,000-crore fraud at state-run Punjab National Bank, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) says it has conducted its scrutiny and the matter is currently under examination for “enforcement action”.
Replying to an RTI query, the central bank also said it has been issuing necessary instructions to banks from time to time on a variety of issues of prudential supervisory concern, including the management of operational risks inherent in the functioning of banks.
Asked to provide details of action taken by the RBI after receiving input of suspected fraud at PNB and steps being taken to check such recurrences, the banking sector regulator said a confidential circular on time-bound implementation and strengthening of ‘SWIFT’ related operational controls was issued to public and private banks on February 20.
SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications) is a global messaging network used by financial institutions across the world to securely exchange information and instructions among themselves with the use of pre-assigned codes.
“Further the scrutiny is conducted in the matter and is under examination for supervisory/enforcement action,” the RBI said in response to the RTI application filed by this PTI correspondent. The RBI, however, declined to share further details of the February 20 circular, saying it was “exempt from disclosure under section 8 (1) (a) of the RTI Act, 2005, since its disclosure may prejudicially affect the economic interest of the State.”
The PNB initially reported to the RBI on January 29 an incidence of fraud of Rs 280 crore at its Brady House branch in Mumbai. This information was subsequently updated and revised under the fraud reporting platform on multiple dates, the RBI said. The central bank, however, declined to share details of communication received from the PNB on the alleged fraud. “In view of the ongoing investigations into the matter by the investigative authorities and third party information involved, the information sought is exempt from disclosure,’ the RBI said.
Among various agencies, the CBI is looking into the over Rs 13,000 crore alleged fraud in the PNB committed by billionaire jeweller Nirav Modi and his uncle and Gitanjali Gems promoter Mehul Choksi. The Enforcement Directorate has also filed two money laundering cases against Modi and Choksi to probe the alleged fraud.
It has conducted a total of 251 country-wide searches in the case after it began the criminal probe against the accused in February, resulting in seizure and attachment of diamond, gold, precious and semi-precious stones and other movable and immovable assets.
Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.
Top News
Related Articles More
Kotak Mahindra Bank shares tank 13%; mcap erodes by Rs 37,721 crore post RBI action
Four-day market rally makes investors richer by Rs 8.48 lakh crore
Kotak Bank barred from onboarding customers online, issuing fresh credit cards
Reverse migration has begun, says FM Nirmala Sitharaman
Markets sustain winning streak — Sensex jumps over 560 points, Nifty tops 22,300-level
MUST WATCH
Latest Additions
NIA arrests key accused in 2023 attack on Indian High Commission in London
Three persons run over by train in Bengaluru
Indian nationals aboard ‘MSC Aries’ in good health, return delayed due to technicalities: MEA
Husband has no control over wife’s ‘stridhan’: SC
IT sleuths threatening raided leaders to claim money belongs to me, Cong: DK Shivakumar