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PNB case: SFIO summons ICICI chief Chanda Kocchar, Axis Bank's Shikha Sharma

ICICI Bank chief Chanda Kocchar and Axis Bank managing director Shikha Sharma were summoned for interrogation on Tuesday by Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO), Mumbai, in the Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam case.

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ICICI Bank chief Chanda Kocchar and Axis Bank managing director Shikha Sharma were summoned for interrogation on Tuesday by Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO), Mumbai, in the Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam case.

Both the bankers have been summoned in a case of over Rs. 5,000 crore working capital facility given to Mehul Choksi's Gitanjali Group by a consortium of 31 banks.

The ICICI Bank, with a loan of around 400 crores, was a lead banker in this consortium, while Axis Bank had a major exposure too.

Meanwhile, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) detained Vipul Chitalia, vice president of Gitanjali Group, as a part of the probe into the case.

Chitalia was apprehended at the Mumbai airport and taken to CBI office for questioning.

The SFIO also said that PNB MD and CEO Sunil Mehta has been summoned for questioning. 

The SFIO is said to have asked senior executives from the 31 banks who have done business dealings with the firms promoted by Modi and Choksi to be present at its office in the financial capital, according to sources.

Even as sections of media reported that ICICI Bank managing director and chief executive Chanda Kochhar and her Axis Bank counterpart Shikha Sharma have been summoned, the sources said as part of regular practise, office of the bank head would have received such letters.

Leading exchange BSE has also sought clarification from the two banks on the reports.

Later, V Srinivasan, Deputy Managing Director of Axis Bank was seen exiting the SFIO office in south Mumbai.

"The concerned officer who dealt with the loan and knows the account better will be helping the probe," one of the sources said, refusing to confirm if the top executives have been requisitioned.

A slew of agencies, including the CBI and ministerial arms like the Enforcement Directorate as well as the SFIO are probing the scam.

It is alleged that firms colluded with officials at a city branch of state-run Punjab National Bank to clear letters of undertakings without proper diligence, resulting in the scam. 

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