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CBI arrested Singapore-based accused Rajesh Bothra in a ₹31.60 crore PNB fraud case. He allegedly supplied forged Bills of Lading enabling FIEL to siphon funds. Already wanted in multiple cases, Bothra was detained in Delhi and will be presented in court.
CBI nabs key accused Rajesh Bothra in ₹31.60 crore PNB fraud scam.
New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Singapore-based accused Rajesh Bothra for his alleged involvement in a ₹31.60 crore bank fraud case linked to Punjab National Bank (e-OBC). He was detained in New Delhi after the agency tracked his arrival in India.
CBI officials acted on specific information about Bothra’s travel to India and traced him to Hotel Andaz and Hyatt Residences in Aerocity, New Delhi. He was arrested on November 13, 2025.
The case (RC0062024A0032) originated from a complaint filed by PNB accusing Frost Infrastructure and Energy Pvt. Ltd. (FIEL), its directors and others of defrauding the bank by misusing the Foreign Letter of Credit (FLC) limit.
Investigations revealed that Bothra actively conspired with FIEL by supplying bogus and forged Bills of Lading, falsely showing trade transactions with two firms—M/s FAREAST and M/s Gulf Distribution Ltd.
CBI found these companies were completely controlled and operated by Bothra, and that no real movement of goods ever took place.
This facilitated the siphoning of nearly ₹32 crore from PNB.
Bothra is also wanted in several other bank fraud and economic offence cases handled by CBI’s Lucknow unit.
Officials said he never joined the investigation nor appeared for trial in earlier matters, making his arrest critical to prevent further evasion.
CBI confirmed that Rajesh Bothra will be produced before the concerned trial court on November 14, 2025, where further legal proceedings—including possible custodial remand—will be sought.
