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Synopsis

A new petition has been filed in the Bombay High Court by businessman Deepak Kochhar, husband of former ICICI Chairman Chanda Kochhar, seeking directions for the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) to refrain from interrogating individuals beyond regular working hours.

This filing follows a recent reprimand by the high court to the Enforcement Directorate for questioning a senior citizen late into the night, beyond standard working hours. The ED also issued an internal circular directing officers to not question citizens beyond working hours.

A case was registered against Chanda Kochhar and Deepak Kochhar by the CBI after a whistleblower alleged that Chanda had given loans worth Rs. 3250 crores to the Videocon group. As a quid pro quo, the Videocon group invested in the company of Deepak Kochhar. The loan granted to the Videocon group was later declared as an NPA.

A division bench of the Bombay High Court, comprising Justice Bharati Dangre and Justice Manjusha Deshpande, heard the petition filed by Deepak Kochhar and directed the SFIO to file a reply.

The petition argues that Kochhar was questioned at the SFIO office from 10:45 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., asserting that such questioning should not extend beyond regular working hours.

Public Prosecutor Manisha Jagtap informed the bench that Kochhar would not be questioned beyond working hours, though she could not clarify whether any coercive action would be taken against him.

Consequently, the bench directed that no coercive action shall be taken against Deepak Kochhar until the next hearing date.

“Having heard learned senior counsel for the petitioner, in the meantime, till the next date, no coercive steps be taken against the petitioner,” the order reads.

The bench will hear the petition on 13th November.

Case title: Deepak Kochhar vs SFIO