Bank scam: CBI uncovers Rs 200cr gold trail

Chandigarh: The CBI investigation into the Rs 593 crore bank scam has revealed that the accused used over Rs 200 crore of siphoned funds to purchase gold and invest in real estate.These details were disclosed on Friday as a special CBI court extended the remand of six accused, including builder Vikram Wadhwa and jeweller Rajan Singh Katodia, till April 27.The six were moved from Ambala and Chandigarh jails into CBI custody on April 21.Seeking the extension, the CBI argued the accused were evasive, especially on details of shell companies and their operators.The agency said Rajan Singh allegedly used shell companies with no link to bullion trade to purchase gold, which was then handed over to people linked to Rishav Rishi, the main accused and former banker.The CBI referred to the purchase of immovable properties through proceeds of crime while seeking the custody of Wadhwa.Regarding four former bank employees, Seema Dhiman, Arun Sharma, Anuj Kaushal and Priyanka, the CBI cited glaring and intentional lapses in heavy transactions from govt accounts of the bank and other companies.The CBI claimed to have detected 200 heavy transactions and records where bank accounts were opened and operated on verbal instructions only.The Haryana State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau had registered the case in Feb. It was later transferred to the CBI. Initially, 15 arrests were made, while CBI arrested 12 more people.MSID:: 130494507 413 |