Chanda Kochhar, Videocon chief called for questioning in loan case today

TIL Desk/Business/Mumbai/ The Enforcement Directorate today summoned former ICICI Bank chief executive Chanda Kochhar, her husband Deepak Kochhar and Videocon managing director Venugopal Dhoot for questioning in a loan case. The probe agency said it has asked them to come for questioning around noon in Mumbai.

The summons were sent a day after the homes and offices of the Kochhars Mr Dhoot were searched by the Enforcement Directorate. The search Ms Kochhar’s premises went on till 8 pm on Friday, sources said. She was also taken to the ED’s office in Mumbai and questioned till 4:30 pm, they said. Venugopal Dhoot was questioned till 11 pm yesterday.

The Central Bureau of Investigation has already issued a look-out circular against Kochhar and has revived ones against her husband Deepak Kochhar and Dhoot. Look-out circulars are notices sent to transit points like airports to restrict the movement of people under investigation by probe agencies.

The case is related to a loan given by ICICI Bank to Videocon when Chanda Kochhar was heading it, and the business ties between Venugopal Dhoot and her husband. Dhoot allegedly invested Rs 64 crore in NuPower Renewables, a company founded by Kochhar’s husband, a day after Videocon group was granted a loan of Rs 200 crore by ICICI Bank.