The CBI has expressed apprehensions over the delay in obtaining required permissions for launching investigations and prosecution proceedings against the officials of banks in cases of corruption and fraud.

It is reported that this matter cropped up at a meeting held on Thursday between CBI officials, Secretary of the Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, other senior officials of the ministry, bankers and Chief Vigilance Officers (CVOs) of banks.

It has been found that in most cases, the banks are not granting permission for prosecuting their officials. Thus, such cases are not being sanctioned under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the cases are being transferred from special courts to ordinary courts. As per the law, prior sanction is to be obtained by the CBI under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act before initiating a criminal investigation and under Section 19 of the Act before filing prosecution.

At the meeting, the CBI also raised the issue of delays in providing documents by banks in bank fraud cases. A CBI spokesperson stated, "Several issues were discussed during the day-long meeting, including bank fraud complaints, one-time settlement issues, recent court judgments, and matters related to mule accounts (accounts used for fraud).

The purpose of the meeting was to enhance cooperation between departments and expedite investigations into bank fraud cases. During the meeting, senior CBI officials met with bank CVOs and discussed pending issues bank-wise. The investigating agency claimed to have resolved most of the issues. The meeting concluded with an agreement to continue the current cooperation between the CBI and public sector banks.

The CBI has expressed apprehensions over the delay in obtaining required permissions for launching investigations and prosecution proceedings against the officials of banks in cases of corruption and fraud.

It is reported that this matter cropped up at a meeting held on Thursday between CBI officials, Secretary of the Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, other senior officials of the ministry, bankers and Chief Vigilance Officers (CVOs) of banks.

It has been found that in most cases, the banks are not granting permission for prosecuting their officials. Thus, such cases are not being sanctioned under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the cases are being transferred from special courts to ordinary courts. As per the law, prior sanction is to be obtained by the CBI under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act before initiating a criminal investigation and under Section 19 of the Act before filing prosecution.

At the meeting, the CBI also raised the issue of delays in providing documents by banks in bank fraud cases. A CBI spokesperson stated, "Several issues were discussed during the day-long meeting, including bank fraud complaints, one-time settlement issues, recent court judgments, and matters related to mule accounts (accounts used for fraud).

The purpose of the meeting was to enhance cooperation between departments and expedite investigations into bank fraud cases. During the meeting, senior CBI officials met with bank CVOs and discussed pending issues bank-wise. The investigating agency claimed to have resolved most of the issues. The meeting concluded with an agreement to continue the current cooperation between the CBI and public sector banks.