Former ICICI Bank CEO, Chanda Kochhar, has been found guilty in a case involving a ₹64 crore bribe related to a ₹300 crore loan sanctioned to the Videocon Group during her time at the bank. The verdict comes after years of investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and other financial watchdogs, highlighting a major breach of corporate ethics and banking norms.

So what exactly happened?

Back in 2009, ICICI Bank approved a ₹300 crore loan to Videocon. Around the same time, a company linked to Kochhar’s husband, Deepak Kochhar, reportedly received investments worth ₹64 crore from Videocon’s promoter, Venugopal Dhoot. This financial link raised serious red flags. The CBI later concluded that the loan was a “quid pro quo” — given in return for personal gain.

Chanda Kochhar was once hailed as one of India’s most powerful women in business. Her downfall has been both swift and dramatic, drawing attention to the importance of transparency and checks in the corporate world. The case also sheds light on the pressing need for stronger internal controls within financial institutions.

The court’s decision to hold her guilty is a reminder that even top-level executives can be held accountable for misconduct. It’s also a moment of reflection for the banking industry, which is often under public scrutiny for how it handles big loans and influential clients.