The State Bank of India (SBI) has lodged a complaint with the CBI against Basmati rice exporter Ram Dev International owners of which have fled the country after cheating banks to the tune of Rs 411 crore.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has booked Ram Dev International and its three promoters for allegedly cheating a consortium of six banks.
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Ram Dev International exports Basmati rice to the West Asian and European countries.
The CBI has booked the company and its directors Naresh Kumar, Suresh Kumar and Sangita on the basis of a complaint from the SBI which has suffered a loss of over Rs 173 crore, said a media report.
According to the SBI complaint, the company had three rice milling plants, besides eight sorting and grading units in Karnal district with offices in Saudi Arabia and Dubai for trading purposes.
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Apart from SBI, the other banks which have also complained to the CBI are Central Bank of India, IDBI, Corporation Bank, Canara Bank and Union Bank of India.
The report quoted officials as saying that the CBI is yet to carry out any search operation in the cheating case due to the nationwide lockdown being imposed in view of COVID19.
The officials reportedly said the investigating agency will start the process of summoning the accused, in case they do not join the investigation and appropriate legal action will be taken accordingly.
The SBI complaint says: “Owing to liquidity problems, the account of the said company became NPA (non-performing asset) on 27.01.2016 with an outstanding of Rs 173.11 crore.”
“On inquiry, it has been come to notice that borrowers are absconding and have left the country,” the complaint said.