Mumbai: A major revelation has emerged in the New India Co-Operative Bank scam. The case once again revolves around loan repayments. Reports indicate that the bank, involved in a fraud amounting to INR 122 crore, granted Bollywood actress Preity Zinta a waiver of INR 1.55 crore on her loan repayment.
According to available information, Preity Zinta had taken a loan of INR 18 crore from the bank, which was later declared a Non-Performing Asset (NPA). The Mumbai Police has confirmed these details, stating that the loan was sanctioned in 2011 and was repaid by the actress in April 2014.
Investigation Unveils Key Arrests
The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai Police, which is probing the bank scam, has so far arrested eight accused in connection with the case. Among them is the bank’s chief, Hitesh Mehta, who was taken into custody on February 15. Authorities are scrutinizing loans disbursed by the bank post-2010, during which Preity Zinta’s loan case surfaced.
The Full Story
Investigations have revealed that the actress was granted a loan of INR 18 crore on January 7, 2011. She had pledged her assets to the bank, including a flat in Mumbai and a property in Shimla, collectively valued at INR 27.41 crore. By November 2012, she was due to repay INR 11.40 crore. However, by March 31, 2013, the actress failed to make timely repayments, leading the bank to classify her loan as an NPA, with the outstanding amount reaching INR 11.47 crore.
On April 5, 2014, Preity Zinta repaid the loan. The bank, in turn, offered her a waiver of INR 1.55 crore.
Ongoing Investigation
Meanwhile, the EOW is set to conduct a brain mapping test on key accused Hitesh Mehta at the Forensic Science Laboratory in Kalina, Mumbai, on Friday. This test aims to gather further information about the involvement of other individuals in the case. Police officials have already conducted a polygraph test on Mehta.
Authorities have also revealed that former bank president Hiren Bhanu and his wife, Gauri Bhanu, are wanted in connection with the scam.
