Notice to Centre, CBI on alleged fraud by SBI Chairman

New Delhi, May 26 (UNI) The Delhi High Court today issued notices to the Union Government and the CBI on a petition seeking registration of a criminal case against Chairman of the State Bank of India(SBI) Arun Kumar Purwar for allegedly manipulating his date of birth at the time of appointment.

The All India Labour Welfare Association of Delhi has also sought direction to the Centre for with-holding the retirement benefits of Parwar, who is due for retirement on May 30, 2006.

After preliminary arguments by Counsel Namita Roy appearing for the Association, Justice R C Jain issued notices to the Centre and the CBI to file their replies by Sepetember 29, the next date of hearing.

Purwar, who joined the SBI as an officer on January 3, 1968, was born on May 14, 1947 according to the copy of the UP Gazette notification submitted with the petition.

He was not above 20 years, which was mandatory to apply for the post published in Dainik Jagaran, Kanpur Edition on November 1, 1966, alleged the petition. He later manipulated and recorded his date of birth as May 14, 1946 in the service records, the petition said.

A complaint was lodged with the Ministry of Finance on September 19, 2002 while his candidature was considered for the post of Chairman of the largest public sector bank in the country.

''Persons occupying seats of power can do and undo many things.

Concerned and interested persons played a role and managed clearance from the Central Vigilance Commission by influencing a Central Vigilance Commissioner, a former Chairman of the SBI, in the second week of November 2002,'' alleged the petition.

UNI PAT YA PC1910