Top 5 Must-Know Facts: Chanda Kochhar’s Alleged Loan Sanction to Videocon Group

CBI Chargesheet Claims Chanda Kochhar and Eight Others Conspired to Secure Loans for Videocon Group

In the chargesheet submitted in April, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) alleged that Chanda Kochhar, along with eight others, had “devised a strategy” back in December 2008 to secure loan approvals for the Videocon group. This scheme was supposedly put into motion following the announcement that Kochhar was to be named the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ICICI Bank.

An overview of the recently disclosed chargesheet from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) regarding former ICICI Bank MD and CEO, Chanda Kochhar, and her alleged involvement in securing loans for the Videocon group.

1. A Conspiracy Formed in 2008

According to the CBI’s chargesheet, the alleged plan to secure loans for the Videocon group was formulated in December 2008. This occurred soon after Kochhar’s appointment as the MD and CEO of ICICI bank was announced.

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2. Kochhar’s Rise to Power

Chanda Kochhar was appointed the executive director of ICICI Bank in 2001. She was later promoted to MD and CEO from May 1, 2009, a decision made at a board meeting of the bank on December 19, 2008.

3. Suspicious Property Transactions

The CBI’s investigation also revealed that Chanda Kochhar and her husband, Deepak Kochhar, acquired a flat linked to the Videocon group in Mumbai’s Churchgate area in 2016 for Rs 11 lakh.

4. Involvement of Family Members

Deepak Kochhar, Chanda Kochhar’s husband, is also an accused in the case. The chargesheet states that their son, Arjun Kochhar, purchased a flat in the same building on the same floor in November 2021 for Rs 19.11 crore.

5. Potential Violation of Bank Loan Policies

The chargesheet points out that Chanda Kochhar was part of some committees sanctioning the loans in violation of ICICI bank’s loan policy. The bank’s policy requires any chairperson, MD, or director directly or indirectly concerned or interested in any proposal to disclose the nature of the interest to the Board.

Conspiracy Details

The chargesheet alleges that the accused, which includes Chanda Kochhar, her husband Deepak Kochhar, Videocon International Electronics Limited, Videocon Industries Limited, Venugopal Dhoot, Nupower Renewables Limited, Supreme Energy Private Limited, and Saurabh Dhoot, created a strategy to obtain sanctioned loans for the financially struggling Videocon group.

Kochhar’s Promotions

Chanda Kochhar’s promotions in ICICI Bank, from executive director to MD and CEO, took place without any apparent objections. However, the timing of her promotion to CEO, which coincided with the alleged plan to secure loans, raises questions about potential conflicts of interest.

Purchasing Property Under Market Value

The CBI claims the Kochhars purchased a Mumbai flat linked to the Videocon group for Rs 11 lakh in 2016, which is significantly below market value. The agency has collected copies of deeds of transfer of the flats in the building between 2009-2017, which shows a sharp increase in the flat’s value from Rs 5.25 crore in 1995, to Rs 16 crore in 2014, and finally Rs 18.50 crore in 2017.

Involvement of Family Members

Deepak Kochhar, Chanda’s husband, is also named as an accused in the case, further intensifying the family’s connections with the Videocon group. Their son, Arjun Kochhar, is also mentioned as having purchased a flat in the same building for Rs 19.11 crore in November 2021.

Breach of Bank Loan Policies

The CBI’s chargesheet also suggests that Chanda Kochhar was part of some committees sanctioning the loans, which seems to contradict ICICI bank’s policy. As per the policy, any chairperson, MD, or director who is directly or indirectly concerned or interested in any proposal should disclose the nature of the interest to the Board. This allegation, if proven true, would point towards a significant ethical breach on Kochhar’s part.

Key Facts

(India CSR)