CBI examines complainant, says it’s not attacking press
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday examined Sanjay Dutt, the complainant in an alleged bank fraud case involving NDTV co-founder Dr Prannoy Roy and his wife Radhika Roy, a day after it spurred an outcry by raiding residential and official properties belonging to the senior journalist.
This development came a few hours after the probe agency issued an official statement expressing its “respect for the freedom of the press”, and categorically denying that it raided offices of the news organisation founded by Dr Roy on Monday.
Raids on NDTV offices had been reported in certain sections of the media. While this evoked an outcry from civil rights activists, media groups and Opposition parties, NDTV termed the raids as an attempt to “undermine democracy and free speech”.
The probe agency denied the allegations. “Reports in certain sections of the media have raised certain issues, and the statement issued by NDTV has levelled allegations against the CBI investigation… the case was taken up on the complaint of a shareholder of ICICI Bank and NDTV after carrying out due diligence,” it clarified in a statement.
The CBI statement further stated that “searches were carried out on the (residential and official) premises of the promoters, based on search warrants issued by the competent court.”
The investigation agency had registered an FIR against the duo, besides a private company owned by them, on June 2. It was alleged that the firm – RRPR Holding Private Ltd – had violated Reserve Bank of India guidelines to acquire a loan from ICICI Bank .
According to the FIR, the bank had granted the private holding company a loan of ₹366 crore on the basis of NDTV shares that were allegedly valued more than its actual price at the Bombay Stock Exchange.
CBI officials told HT that besides examining Dutt, they have approached the ICICI Bank to seek documents related to the loan. Officials who carried out the financial transaction between RRPR and the bank are also being questioned.
The complaint alleged that NDTV promoters participated in a criminal conspiracy with unidentified officials of ICICI Bank to violate section 19(2) of the banking regulation act.