(LiveMint)
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has declined to share inspection reports for scam-hit Punjab National Bank (PNB), citing RTI clauses that bar disclosure of details which may impede the investigation process or prosecution of offenders among other reasons.
Replying to an RTI query, the central bank also said it does not have “specific information” on what resulted in detection of over Rs13,000 crore scam at PNB and directed the application to the state-run bank for providing those details. The scam, considered to be the biggest ever fraud in India’s history, came to light earlier this year. PNB was allegedly defrauded by diamantaire Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi, the promoter of Gitanjali Gems. Among other agencies and regulators, the RBI is also undertaking a detailed probe into the case for necessary action.
In response to queries under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, the central bank clarified that the RBI does not carry out audit of banks. However, the RBI conducts inspection/risk-based supervision of banks, it added. Giving details for the past ten years, the RBI gave dates for the annual inspection carried out at the PNB head office between 2007 and 2017, except for 2011, for which the bank said the “dates (are) not available”.
