Loan fraud case: Former ICICI Bank CEO Chanda Kochhar, husband Deepak approach High Court to challenge arrest

Former ICICI Bank CEO and MD Chanda Kochhar and her husband Deepak Kochhar on Tuesday approached the Bombay High Court, calling their arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation in a loan fraud case illegal. The high court, however, refused to grant an urgent hearing and directed the Kochhars to mention the matter before the regular bench once it resumes after vacation.

A lawyer representing the Kocchars said that no prior sanction, as required under the law, was obtained by the CBI before their arrest. The probe agency arrested the Kochhar's on Friday night after questioning them briefly. It alleged that they were evasive in their responses and did not cooperate in the



investigation.

Separately, a special court on Tuesday permitted the Kochhar couple and Videocon group founder Venugopal Dhoot to use special beds and mattresses while in the custody of CBI. A day before, special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) judge A S Sayyad remanded the trio in CBI custody till December 28.

The CBI arrested Dhoot, 71, from Mumbai on Monday morning in connection with the ICICI Bank loan fraud case. On Tuesday, the court also permitted the trio to have home-cooked food and medicines. The Kochhars and Dhoot had sought permission to use a chair, special beds, mattresses, pillows, towels, blankets, and bed sheets citing their medical conditions. The court permitted them to use these items at their own cost.