Corruption watchdog seeks report from CBI, BoB

Corruption watchdog Central Vigilance Commission has sought a report from Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Bank of Baroda in connection with an on-going probe in alleged fraudulent transactions of Rs 6,100 crore to Hong Kong.

Besides, the commission is planning to bring in "systematic changes" in banks to check suspicious transactions aimed at moving black (unaccounted) money.

"We have sought a report from the chief vigilance officer of the bank as well as the CBI," central vigilance commissioner K V Chowdary told the Press Trust of India in New Delhi.

He said an enquiry has also been instituted in the matter by the Commission.

Chowdary said the role of bank officials will be looked into to find out their involvement in the scam.

"The involvement of the officer of the central government or of the bank, in so far as facilitating this scam is concerned, will be certainly looked into.

"We will also look into the aspect of bringing any systematic changes and how a system should be introduced in the banks to give an early indication on this kind of thing," he said.

His comments assume significance as Minister of State for Finance Jayant Sinha had yesterday said that the scam is a one off incident and not a reflection of any systemic problem in the banking sector.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (and Enforcement Directorate (ED) are probing transactions of Rs 6,100 crore to Hong Kong from a Bank of Baroda's Ashok Vihar branch here.

The huge transaction is believed to be trade-based money laundering as the amount was transferred in garb of payments for imports, that never took place.

As per CBI probe so far, Rs 6,100 crore were transferred through nearly 8,000 transactions done between July, 2014 and July, this year.