Not linked to persons arrested by CBI in doc leak case:HDFC

Private sector lender HDFC Bank today denied any linkages with individuals arrested by the CBI for allegedly leaking official government documents and said that the charges against it were "baseless and untrue".

"We categorically deny having known or heard of, let alone interacted with the individual named in these news reports. Any suggestion that we may have indulged in any wrongdoing is completely baseless and untrue," HDFC Bank said in a statement.

The bank further said that these allegations, apart from being baseless and untrue, are "defamatory" and an attempt to malign the reputation of HDFC Bank.

"We have read with utter dismay the media reports and the allegations made therein. We are shocked at our name being mentioned in them.

"We have always adhered to the highest standards of integrity and propriety in our business conduct, and will continue to do so in the future," it added.

Yesterday, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested a Mumbai-based chartered accountant and two government officials for allegedly selling confidential documents related to foreign investment policy to corporate groups after it carried out searches in offices of Finance and Commerce Ministries in Delhi and Mumbai.

CBI's action came after registering a case of criminal conspiracy, theft under IPC and misuse of official position under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act against Chartered Accountant Khemchand Gandhi, Under Secretary in Department of Disinvestment and Grievances Ashok Kumar Singh and Section Officer in the Department of Economic Affairs Lala Ram Sharma.

According to sources, during interrogation of Gandhi and officials some big names in banking, pharmaceuticals and realty business including DLF Limited, HDFC Bank, IndusInd Bank, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals had surfaced which have come under the scanner of the agency for being the suspected beneficiaries of these documents.

HDFC scrips closed 1.15 per cent lower at Rs 1,042.85 apiece on the BSE today from its previous close.