Actor and entrepreneur Preity Zinta has refuted claims propagated by the Kerala unit of the Indian Nationwide Congress concerning an alleged mortgage write-off linked to her title. The controversy stems from allegations that Zinta had secured an ₹18 crore mortgage from the scandal-ridden New India Cooperative Financial institution, which was purportedly written off earlier than the financial institution’s collapse. The actress took to social media to set the report straight, labeling the claims as “faux information.”
The Kerala Congress unit, in a submit that rapidly garnered widespread consideration, alleged that Zinta had relinquished management of her social media accounts to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Occasion (BJP) and, in return, benefited from a mortgage write-off. The submit insinuated that the collapse of New India Cooperative Financial institution was linked to such monetary mismanagement.
She gave her social media accounts to BJP and bought 18 Cr written off and the financial institution collapsed final week.
Depositors are on the streets for his or her cash. pic.twitter.com/UnEMMUgslY
— Congress Kerala (@INCKerala) February 24, 2025
Zinta, finest recognized for her roles in movies reminiscent of Veer-Zaara and Kal Ho Naa Ho, responded, unequivocally stating that the mortgage had been absolutely repaid over a decade in the past. “Nobody wrote off something or any mortgage for me. I function my social media accounts myself, and disgrace on you for selling faux information!” she wrote on X (previously Twitter), dismissing the accusations.
She additionally took the deal with, which is affiliated with the Kerala Congress, to job, saying, “I’m shocked {that a} political celebration or their consultant is selling faux information and indulging in vile gossip and click on baits utilizing my title and pictures.”
No I function my social media accounts my self and disgrace on you for selling FAKE NEWS ! Nobody wrote off something or any mortgage for me. I’m shocked {that a} political celebration or their consultant is selling faux information & indulging in vile gossip & click on baits utilizing my title &… https://t.co/cdnEvqnkYx
— Preity G Zinta (@realpreityzinta) February 25, 2025
Congress Kerala acknowledges doable error
Following Zinta’s rebuttal, Congress Kerala adopted a conciliatory tone. “We’re glad to just accept errors if now we have made any,” the celebration unit responded. Nevertheless, they maintained that their statements have been primarily based on media studies, citing a chunk from IndianCooperative.com that linked Zinta’s title to the broader monetary irregularities surrounding New India Cooperative Financial institution.
Good to know you’re managing your personal account, not like different celebs who’ve handed theirs over to the infamous IT cell.
Thanks for the clarification, @realpreityzinta concerning your mortgage place. We’re glad to just accept errors if now we have made any.
We shared the information as… https://t.co/4aouqLaWue
— Congress Kerala (@INCKerala) February 25, 2025
The Congress unit additional referenced a 2020 letter by which former staff of the financial institution had allegedly warned the Reserve Financial institution of India (RBI) about corruption and mismanagement throughout the establishment. The report claimed that high-value company loans have been sanctioned with out correct due diligence, resulting in important non-performing property (NPAs).
What’s The New India Cooperative Financial institution rip-off
The New India Cooperative Financial institution fraud concerned the disappearance of serious quantities of money from the financial institution’s safes. Throughout an RBI inspection on February 12, 2025, officers found that ₹112 crore was lacking from the Prabhadevi department and an extra ₹10 crore was unaccounted for from the Goregaon department.
Hitesh Mehta, the previous normal supervisor and head of accounts on the financial institution, was arrested by Mumbai Police’s Financial Offences Wing (EOW) for allegedly siphoning ₹122 crore. He reportedly collaborated with developer Dharmesh Paun, who assisted in laundering the embezzled funds. One other suspect, Unnanathan Arunachalam, can be beneath investigation for his alleged involvement.
Following the revelation of the rip-off, the RBI imposed stringent restrictions on the financial institution, stopping new loans, investments, and even withdrawals for depositors. The financial institution’s board of administrators was dismissed, and a former SBI normal supervisor was appointed as an administrator to supervise its operations.
Repercussions and political undertones
Zinta, a co-owner of the Punjab Kings IPL franchise, has beforehand distanced herself from direct political involvement, however her title being drawn right into a banking controversy underscores how high-profile figures usually discover themselves on the intersection of enterprise, finance, and politics.
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For now, the Congress Kerala unit has shifted the onus onto the media, saying their claims have been primarily based on publicly accessible studies slightly than direct accusations. In the meantime, Zinta stays agency in her stance, dismissing the allegations as misinformation and calling for accountable journalism.
