CBI court rejects discharge plea of PNB scam accused Shetty's wife in DA case

A special CBI court here on Tuesday refused to discharge the wife of former Punjab National Bank deputy manager Gokulnath Shetty in a disproportionate assets case linked to the multi-crore PNB scam, citing ample evidence to frame charges against her.

Special Judge S K Karhale held that there is "ample evidence and sufficient grounds" to frame charges against Ashalatha Shetty under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Indian Penal Code.

Ashalatha, who was employed as a clerk with Indian Bank, had sought discharge, contending that she was not the main accused and that the property deals were driven by her husband.


Her counsel argued that she was not bound to declare assets to her bank and that the deal to purchase three flats had been cancelled, meaning she did not abet the offence.

Opposing the plea, CBI, represented by special public prosecutor Manphool Bishnoi, submitted that Ashalatha is an independent public servant who funded the purchase of properties through her own bank accounts.

The prosecution pointed out that while her salary income during the check period was around Rs 22.60 lakh, she acquired assets exceeding Rs 88 lakh, accumulating significant disproportionate wealth.

The CBI had registered the case in November 2018 against Gokulnath Shetty and Ashalatha Shetty for allegedly amassing large movable and immovable properties between April 1, 2011, and May 31, 2017.

The investigation showed that the couple possessed assets worth over Rs 4.28 crore, which were disproportionate to their known sources of income by over 570%.

The payments worth crores of rupees were made from the accounts of both accused for properties in Malad, Panvel, and Thane.

The court, upon perusal of documents, noted that prima facie both accused have amassed disproportionate assets of crores of rupees.

"Thus, prima facie accused No.2 (Ashalata) is a public servant and she has acquired disproportionate properties of crores of rupees as alleged in the charge-sheet," the court said.

There is ample evidence and sufficient grounds to frame the charge against her, the court ruled, while rejecting her plea.

Gokunath Shetty is an accused in the multi-crore scam at Punjab National Bank being probed by both the Enforcement Directorate and CBI.