Monday 11 July 2016

Giving information on Vijay Mallya can create Hurdle's in the prosecution of offenders feels State Bank of India

The information sought about Vijay Mallya, who has absconded and fled from the country for non payment of bank loans to himself and his companies namely M/s Kingfisher Airlines Ltd and the details of the board meeting held by the State Bank of India's Board of directors for sanctioning the loan , if revealed could create hurdles in future for arresting or filing cases against Mallya have been cited by the State Bank officials for refusing the information sought by RTI Activist Anil Galgali RTI Activist Anil Galgali had sought information from the State Bank of India about the total quantum of loan extended to Vijay Mallya and also the details of the Board of directors meetings such as Agenda, proposal, approvals and the Minutes of the meeting in which the loan proposals were sanctioned. In a response to the query the Deputy General Manager and Public Information Officer of the Stressed Assets Management Branch informed that the case is subjudice and is pending before the enquiry commission and deriving exemption from disclosure under Section 8(1)(h) of Right to Information Act. Section indicated that the information which would impede the process of investigation or apprehension or prosecution of offenders, the information was refused, surprisingly they also refused to reveal the names of the persons and their designation, who attended the Board of Directors meeting. Anil Galgali has filed the first appeal against the response of the State Bank on his query. Galgali further stressed that the people who helped defaulters like Vijay Mallya should be exposed and it is important for the bank to provide the details of the Board meetings in which the loans were sanctioned, also the releasing of the meeting Agenda, approval resolution and the Minutes of the meetings are already circulated in the banks and hence providing the same will not hamper the proceedings in any manner. The Bank authorities are also equally responsible for the loss of public funds for sanctioning huge loans to such people and should be arrested and prosecuted, add Galgali.

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