CBI, ED halt probe into bank frauds

Tribune News Service

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New Delhi, March 24

The two Central premier investigating agencies — CBI and ED — have asked its officials to scale down operations and postpone non-urgent interrogations in view novel coronavirus pandemic and follow nationwide lockdown.

Both CBI and Enforcement Directorate have asked their officials to be available on phone and avoid going out in field until it is unavoidable, sources in the agencies said.

It is learnt from sources that the ED has specifically asked its officers and staff members to work through phone and if required through video conferencing.On its part, the CBI has sent communication to its branch offices across the country asking them to immediately suspend non-urgent interrogations till April 4, as it attributed the instruction to Covid-19.

“All investigation teams outside their respective headquarters may be recalled with immediate effect. Report compliance,” read the order issued by the Joint Director Administration (JDA) to all units of the CBI.

CBI Director RK Shukla has also in his message to officers said, “Given the prevailing situation, please ensure the safety of all your employees and their families as suggested by JDA. The courts are closed.” He said all work should wait for another week and urgent communication should be done through intra-branch WhatsApp groups. As always, currently both agencies are actively probing high-profile cases, including Yes Bank cases, Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi cases along with several scams involving business tycoons and politicians.