The Congress Kerala unit reacted to Preity Zinta’s accusation that it spread “FAKE NEWS” about a ₹18 crore loan she had taken from the scam-tainted New India Cooperative Bank in Mumbai. The Congress Kerala unit took an apologetic tone and posted, ‘We are glad to accept mistakes if we have made any.’
“Good to know you’re managing your own account, unlike other celebs who have handed theirs over to the notorious IT cell,” the Congress Kerala wrote to Preity Zinta.
The verbal spat arose after the Congress Kerala alleged that the Bollywood actress “gave her social media accounts” to the BJP and got a loan worth ₹18 crore written off and “the bank collapsed last week’.
The Congress Kerala was hinting at the Mumbai-based New India Cooperative Bank scam, which involved the embezzlement of approximately ₹122 crore from the bank’s safes.
Preity Zinta hits back at Congress Kerala
Preity Zinta replied to the allegation by the Congress Kerala unit and confirmed that the loan had been paid off 10 years ago. Taking a dig at the Congress Kerala unit, the Veer Zara actress said, “No one wrote off anything or any loan for me.”
“For the record a loan was taken and FULLY PAID BACK – over 10 years ago. Hope this clarifies and helps so there are no misunderstandings in the future 🙏,” Zinta added.
Preity Zinta, the co-owner of Punjab Kings (PBBKS) cricket team, said, “I operate my social media accounts my self and shame on you for promoting FAKE NEWS ! No one wrote off anything or any loan for me (sic).”
Congress Kerala shifts onus on ‘media outlets’
The Congress Kerala unit, in its tweet, while thanking Preity Zinta for the ‘clarification’, said they ‘shared the news as reported by media outlets’. Quoting a report by IndianCooperative.com, the party asserted that the news media report mentioned the Bollywood actor’s name in context with ‘corrupt practices’.
The Congress Kerala shared that ex-employees of New India Cooperative Bank had warned the RBI in a letter in January 2020 about the corrupt practices that were going on in the bank.
“As early as in January 2020, ex-employees of New India Cooperative Bank Ltd had warned the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) about malfunctioning operations and alleged corrupt practices in the Bank. However, RBI failed to take concrete action against the Bank in a timely manner,” the Congress Kerala quoted.
Further the report allegedly mentioned, “Before 2010, the Bank focused on small-ticket loans for priority sectors. After Mr Bhanu’s entry, corporate loans of up to Rs25 crore were sanctioned without branch managers’ knowledge. Major loans turned into non-performing assets (NPAs) within a year, with funds diverted through other banks”.
“Bollywood actress Preity Zinta’s Rs18 crore loan was written off without due recovery procedures. Rajhans group received Rs95 crore in loans, while another Rs210 crore in NPAs was regularly sold to Omkara Assets Reconstruction Pvt Ltd (ARC), raising suspicions of fraudulent loan write-offs. A Rs7 crore loan was granted to ACAIPL, a sister concern of Omkara ARC, allegedly without proper due diligence. Loans were approved for Mr Bhanu’s associates using inflated valuation reports. Commission agent Manish Simaria facilitated corporate loans and earned huge commissions despite defaulting on an ₹8 crore loan himself,” the Congress Kerala quoted.
(Please Note: Mint could not independently verify the claims of the news report or the alleged ‘write-off’ of the Bollywood actor’s loan)
