Preity Zinta, the celebrated Bollywood actress, has fervently denied allegations leveled against her by the Kerala Congress party, which claimed she received special treatment from New India Cooperative Bank involving the write-off of her ₹18 crore loan. The tension arose following the party's post on social media, which insinuated Zinta had handed over control of her social media accounts to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and benefited from her financial dealings with the bank.
The rumors began circulating after the Kerala Congress shared reports detailing financial irregularities and corruption associated with the New India Cooperative Bank. These allegations included claims about loans sanctioned without protocol, leading to substantial losses, particularly among depositors facing access difficulties after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) intervened and suspended withdrawals.
Zinta took to social media on February 25, 2025, to clarify her stance firmly, stating, “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... for the record, a loan was taken and FULLY PAID BACK - over 10 years ago.” Her strong words aimed at dispelling the misinformation surrounding her name and emphasizing the financial responsibility she had taken.
After the allegations gained traction, the Kerala Congress responded to Zinta's post, thanking her for the clarification and indicating their openness to accept mistakes if they had committed any. They highlighted the importance of supporting depositors affected by the bank's financial mismanagement, showing solidarity with those impacted by the RBI’s stringent measures.
The political spat emphasized the broader issue of accountability, with Zinta expressing disappointment at journalists and political entities for failing to verify the information before sharing it publicly. She lamented the growing culture of misinformation, urging for more responsible reporting practices moving forward. "Next time please call me and find out if the story is true or not before mentioning my name,” she stated, reflecting her frustration over how the media can sometimes propagate unverified claims.
At the heart of the controversy lies the New India Cooperative Bank, which has faced severe scrutiny for alleged financial mismanagement and corruption. Past reports indicate the RBI was warned about the bank’s operations as early as January 2020. Financial mismanagement, including the sanctioning of corporate loans by circumventing standard procedures, has been cited as contributing factors to the bank's downfall, culminating in the suspension of deposit withdrawals.
Despite the chaos surrounding the bank, Zinta asserted her successful repayment of the loan over ten years back, maintaining her financial integrity throughout the tumult. The engagement between the actress and the Kerala Congress exemplified the challenges public figures face when entangled in political narratives, especially as social media provides both longstanding and fleeting platforms for discussions.
This incident reveals the precarious balance between celebrity involvement and political commentary, highlighting the risks of misrepresentation and the importance of credible journalism. Zinta's case serves as a reminder of the pervasive nature of 'fake news' and the need for accountability on all fronts, both from public figures and the platforms they utilize.
While the conversation around the New India Cooperative Bank continues, both Zinta and the Kerala Congress have made clear their positions. With Zinta reaffirming her financial history and the Congress showing willingness to accept corrections, the exchanges foreseeably pave the way for renewed scrutiny over the banking institution’s operations and the political entities surrounding it. Such developments are pivotal to ensuring the trust and integrity of India's financial systems are preserved for all stakeholders involved, especially ordinary depositors seeking justice and redress.