The CBI today sought explanation from private companies who benefited from an alleged cross-country housing loan racket involving top officials of public and private sector financial institutions.
CBI had yesterday arrested eight persons and alleged that officers in the top and middle level management of various public sector banks and financial institutions including Bank of India, Central Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, LIC and LIC Housing Finance Ltd were receiving illegal gratification from a private financial services company 'Money Matters'.
Money Matters was acting as a mediator and facilitator for corporate loans and other facilities from financial institutions.
"Soon after the arrest of the officials, we had served notices to all the beneficiary companies under section 91 of CrPC to explain their stand in the case," a senior CBI official told PTI.
D B Realty, Adani and a few other companies have already sent their representatives with relevant documents today, the official said.
The beneficiary companies include M/S Lavasa, Pashmina Ltd, Mantri Realty, Sigrun Ltd, Entertainment World, Indore City Treasures, Ashapura Minechem, BGR Energy, OPG Group, Adani, J P Hydro, J S W Power, Ralligear, Pantaloon, Adalite and MTECH.
CBI had arrested LIC Housing Finance CEO Ramchandran Nair, Naresh K Chopra, Secretary (Investment), LIC, R N Tayal, General Manager of Bank of India (Delhi), Maninder Singh Johar, Director of Central Bank of India, and Venkoba Gujjal, Deputy GM of Punjab National Bank (Delhi).
Rajesh Sharma, Chairman and Managing Director of Mumbai-based firm Money Matters Ltd and two of its employees -- Suresh Gattani and Sanjay Sharma-- were also arrested.
All the eight accused, who have been booked for criminal conspiracy and under the Prevention of Corruption Act, are in CBI custody till November 29.