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Senior Advocate Amit Desai, appearing for Chanda Kochhar, argued that senior citizens should not be questioned beyond regular working hours, contending that such practices violate fundamental rights
The Bombay High Court on Tuesday directed the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) not to take coercive action against former ICICI CEO Chanda Kochhar.
A division bench of the high court, comprising Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice P.K. Chavan, was hearing a petition filed by Chanda Kochhar challenging interrogation beyond working hours.
Recently, her husband, Deepak Kochhar, also approached the high court against SFIO questioning him outside regular working hours. The high court had earlier directed the SFIO not to take coercive action against Deepak Kochhar.
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.
Recently, the Enforcement Directorate also issued an internal circular not to interrogate citizens beyond working hours.
Senior Advocate Amit Desai, appearing for Chanda Kochhar, argued that senior citizens should not be questioned beyond regular working hours, contending that such practices violate fundamental rights. He highlighted Deepak Kochhar’s recent experience, where he was reportedly questioned for nearly 12 hours.
Taking note of the submissions, the high court directed the SFIO not to take coercive action against Chanda Kochhar and instructed that any questioning be conducted strictly during regular working hours.
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