The probe into alleged frauds totaling over Rs 50,000 crore in public sector banks has been put on hold. central bureau In the absence of general consent from the states

Of these, there are complaints worth more than Rs 20,000 crore. Maharashtra People with knowledge of the matter alone told ET.

Eight states ruled by non-NDA parties, including Maharashtra, claiming retaliation by the Centre. West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Kerala, Rajasthan Rajasthan And Punjab has withdrawn the general consensus in the last one year CBI Down Delhi Special Police Establishment Act To investigate matters in your jurisdiction. A general consent is required for the CBI to register crimes in the state and in its absence, the federal agency has to approach the local government on a case-by-case basis for permission to investigate.

According to people, the Maharashtra government, which in August last year withdrew its consent after the probe into the manipulation of television ratings points, is yet to respond to 71 requests sent by the federal agency that has been with it since August for investigation. are pending. Allegations of fraud in nationalized banks

The CBI is also awaiting information on its request to probe 20 cases of disproportionate assets (DPA) allegedly by central government employees. CBI is the only federal agency that investigates corrupt officials attached to central departments like Income Tax, Customs, GST and Public Sector Undertakings.

“While the extent of frauds committed by banks can be quantified, in DPAs they are difficult as one needs to investigate and ascertain the facts. In some cases, it can range from a few crores to a few hundred crores as well. But its investigation requires consent, which the state has not given.

According to people, complaints against companies are also included in the complaints sent by the banks.

“Mumbai is the financial capital and headquarters of many PSBs. They will have to comply with RBI and CVC, for which they will have to file a fraud complaint of more than Rs 3 crore with the CBI. In Maharashtra alone, 71 such complaints have been received. This has been repeatedly brought to the notice of the Maharashtra government, but to no avail,” said another official with knowledge of the matter. “In addition to the 71 requests sent by the Maharashtra unit, 5-6 requests have been sent by the Delhi unit and they are also awaiting the response of the said government,” the official said.

The CBI is also awaiting consent to register fresh cases against the defaulters of Yes Bank. “As of now only DHFL, Cox & King and Avantha Group are being probed by the CBI, but the bank has also given complaints against other defaulters. However, the investigation against him cannot be initiated as the state government is not giving consent.”

Sources said that though these are “pure corruption cases” causing huge loss to the exchequer, the states are not inclined to allow the probe as they claim it is a political vendetta. “Political tug of war has brought a stupendous profit to the corrupt public servants of the Central Government, Public Sector Undertakings and Banks. These states are looking at these matters with a limited lens, which is not there. These are cases of corruption causing loss of public money and allowing executors to run freely; He has no direct or secret political links,” said another official. “Besides, in two cases in which the Maharashtra state government claims politicization (corruption case against former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh and actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death), a CBI probe has been ordered by the courts,” the official said. Was.”

Another official said, “At a time when the country is fighting a pandemic and trying to recover on the economic front, the loss of public money due to public banks, mostly their savings, cannot be left without scrutiny. Is.”

On 19 August, the Calcutta High Court ordered a CBI probe into alleged crimes such as rape and murder during the post-poll violence in the state. Earlier this week, the West Bengal government filed a special leave petition in the Supreme Court claiming that the CBI was acting at the behest of the Centre. “Now that all eyes are on the apex court, the court’s order will have national ramifications as the law of equality can be applied to these pending cases,” the official said.

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