CBI books Kolkata's RP Info Systems for Rs 515-crore bank fraud

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday booked a city-based computer company RP Info Systems and its directors for allegedly defrauding a consortium of 10 banks of Rs 515.15 crore, an official said.

State-run Canara Bank had on Monday lodged a complaint with the investigation agency alleging that the directors of the company -- Shivaji Panja, Kaustuv Ray and Vinay Bafna -- and its Vice President (Finance) Debnath Pal cheated the Banglaore-based lender and nine other consortium member banks to the tune of Rs 515.15 crore.

The CBI had booked the company, which was involved in manufacturing and trading of computers in the name "Chirag" brand, in June 2015 following an IDBI Bank's complaint.

"During 2013, IDBI Bank relinquished their position as consortium leader after the deliberations with RBI (Reserve Bank of India). It is learnt that in the month of December 2013, IDBI Bank lodged a complaint regarding the fraud committed on their bank alone to the CBI and the CBI investigated only the exposure of IDBI Bank," a complaint by Canara Bank said.

The other banks constituting the consortium were the State Bank of India, State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur, State Bank of Patiala (both now part of the SBI), Union Bank of India, Allahabad Bank, Oriental Bank of Commerce, Central Bank of India, Punjab National Bank and the Federal Bank.

The lender alleged the company had availed bank loans -- which have become non-performing assets (NPAs) now -- from 2012 onwards by submitting fabricated statements.

--IANS

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