RBL's Vishwavir Ahuja: A case of RBI discomfort with influential bankers

The Kohlapur-based lender turned swanky and state-of-the-art under him but the quick growth attracted central bank's scrutiny.

In June, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) extended Vishwavir Ahuja’s tenure as RBL Bank’s managing director and chief executive for one year compared to three years sought by the lender’s board. It is not usual that a bank CEO’s term extension is shorter than sought by the board. The RBI did the same with then Yes Bank MD and CEO Rana Rapoor a few years back.

Clearly, the banking regulator sensed something with RBL. Ahuja’s one-year extension would have ended on June 29, 2022. He went on leave on December 25, a day after RBI appointed one of its