CBI raids on NDTV chief Prannoy Roy: Chartered accountant Sanjay Dutt, who runs a stockbroking firm in New Delhi, had lodged complaints against promoters of NDTV based on which CBI registered a FIR against noted journalist Prannoy Roy, his wife Radhika Roy and RRPR Holdings Private Limited. It has been learned that 50-year-old Dutt’s firm Quantum Securities Pvt Ltd had worked with NDTV as financial consultants in 2006. Both parties, however, fell out within two years. Since then, Dutt and his partner Sanjay Jain had filed a series of complaints with the Income Tax department, SEBI, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and the Enforcement Directorate, alleging tax fraud, money laundering and FEMA violations, according to Indian Express report.
In a statement to the deputy commissioner of Income Tax department on July 7, 2015, in connection with one of his complaints, Dutt had said he had family relations with Prannoy Roy and Radhika Roy for over 30 years and he studied with NDTV group CEO Vikramaditya Chandra in Doon School during the period 1977-80, the IE report says.
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One of Dutt’s complaints has accused Prannoy and Radhika of criminal conspiracy to dupe ICICI Bank of Rs 48 crore. It has been learned that the amount has been calculated by Dutt on the basis of an ICICI Bank loan of Rs 350 crore to RRPR in 2008-09, the IE report says. It has been learned that Dutt himself, along with his wife Prenita and brokerage firm, was fined Rs 48 lakh by SEBI in January 2013, in connection with charges of fraudulent and unfair trade practices.
The CBI examined Dutt yesterday. He was called today to give his statement and other details about the case. “The complainant was examined today. Relevant documents related to the loan and further details of correspondence have been sought from the ICICI Bank,” a CBI spokesperson had said.
NDTV has flayed Dutt and called him a disgruntled former consultant and his complaint as shoddy. It said that Dutt has been making false allegations and filing cases in courts of law with these false allegations. So far, he has not obtained a single order from any of these courts.
Dutt while reacting to NDTV’s charge, said that the matter is sub judice before the court and investigating agencies have started their probe. “I would not like to make any comment,” he said.
CBI raids on the residences of NDTV founder Prannoy Roy drew widespread criticism from political parties and press bodies. “We express grave concern over the raids conducted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)… on the premises of NDTV promoters. While we maintain that all individuals and every institution have to abide by the law of the land, we condemn any attempt to either intimidate the media or put curbs on its freedom,” President of the Press Club, Gautam Lahiri had said.
