Preity Zinta Slams Congress Over False Loan Allegations: Calls Out Fake News

Preity Zinta Slams Congress Over False Loan Allegations

Bollywood actress and Punjab Kings IPL franchise co-owner, Preity Zinta, has found herself at the center of a political controversy. It all started when she shared a picture from the Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj on her social media account, X (formerly Twitter). What followed was a wave of allegations, including claims that a loan of Rs 18 crore taken by her was written off by the New India Cooperative Bank Ltd. The Congress party and several media outlets amplified these claims, leading to a heated exchange online.

The Allegations Against Preity Zinta

• A report by Moneylife media alleged that Preity Zinta’s Rs 18 crore loan was written off.
• The Kerala Congress unit shared the report and accused her of handing over her social media accounts to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in return for the loan write-off.
• Their post read: “She gave her social media accounts to BJP and got Rs 18 Cr written off. The bank collapsed last week.”

Preity Zinta’s Strong Response

Not one to remain silent, Preity Zinta fired back at these allegations, calling them “fake news” and “vile gossip.” She took to X and wrote:

“No, I operate my social media accounts myself, and shame on you for promoting FAKE NEWS! No one wrote off anything or any loan for me. I’m shocked that a political party is spreading such lies.”

She further clarified that while she did take a loan, she repaid it over 10 years ago in full.

The Misinformation and Media’s Role

Preity Zinta also called out journalist Sucheta Dalal, a co-founder of Moneylife, who was among the first to report on the alleged loan write-off. Expressing her frustration, she stated:

“So much misinformation is going around, but thank God for social media and thank God for X! Many respected journalists have reported incorrect stories and never corrected them. I have spent years working hard and building a reputation, and I won’t let fake news destroy it.”

She also warned journalists to verify facts before publishing misleading news.

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Congress’ Clarification

After Preity Zinta’s strong rebuttal, Kerala Congress responded, stating that they had merely shared a news report. Their post read:

“Good to know you’re managing your own account, unlike other celebs who have handed theirs over to the IT cell. Thanks for the clarification, Preity Zinta, regarding your loan position.”

RBI’s Action Against New India Cooperative Bank

Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed severe restrictions on the New India Cooperative Bank due to financial irregularities. The actions taken include:

• The bank is prohibited from issuing new loans or renewing existing ones.
• It cannot accept new investments or deposits.
• The Board of Directors has been superseded, with an SBI ex-chief general manager appointed as the new administrator.
• From February 27, 2025, customers will be allowed to withdraw up to Rs 25,000 from their deposit accounts.

“With this relaxation, more than 50% of depositors will be able to withdraw their full balance, while others can withdraw up to Rs 25,000,” stated the RBI.

This controversy once again highlights the dangers of misinformation in the digital age. Preity Zinta has taken a firm stand against fake news, ensuring that misleading claims do not go unchallenged. Meanwhile, the New India Cooperative Bank’s financial troubles remain a serious issue, affecting thousands of depositors.

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