The Mumbai Police are currently investigating a significant embezzlement case involving New India Coop Bank, amounting to Rs 122 crore. Authorities have clarified that actor Preity Zinta’s loans or any potential write-offs are not within the scope of their investigation.
Officials stated, “Our focus remains solely on the embezzlement of Rs 122 crores. We have not received any complaints regarding this matter from any party.” They further emphasized that no inquiries have been made about Zinta’s loans, nor have any whistleblower reports surfaced concerning her.
This clarification comes amidst a heated online exchange involving Zinta and the Congress party’s Kerala unit, which has made assertions regarding alleged “loan write-off” scenarios.
The Congress party recently shared an article suggesting that Zinta transferred her social media accounts to a political party in return for an Rs 18 crore loan write-off, as depositors suffer due to the bank’s downfall. In response, Zinta vehemently refuted these claims, asserting that she manages her own social media accounts and labeling the allegations as false.
In her statement, she expressed shock at the political party’s promotion of what she termed “fake news,” stressing, “For the record, a loan was taken and fully paid back over 10 years ago.” She urged for clarity to avoid future misunderstandings.
The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) is actively pursuing the investigation into the Rs 122 crore embezzlement case, with three arrests made, including the former CEO of the bank, Abhimanyu Bhoan, former general manager Hitesh Mehta, and real estate developer Dharmesh Paun.
Investigators allege that Mehta and his associates orchestrated a conspiracy leading to the embezzlement from the bank’s safes located in its Prabhadevi and Goregaon offices in Mumbai.
