The PNB Scam was godsent for a section of media who have been reduced to hitjobs as the government maintained a spotless clear record. The section of media that I am talking about has been hounding PM Modi right from Chief Minister days. As soon as the PNB scam was unearthed, concerted efforts were made to turn it into a BJP scam. But soon, unholy links between Congress and Nirav Modi began emerging. Abhishke Manu Singhvi found himself in the middle of an ocean of allegations and Rahul purportedly attended a Nirav Modi event before the banks sanctioned loans to Nirav’s firms. Amid the Hullabaloo of half baked lies and political slugfest, came the humble Rotomac pens. “Rotomac Owner Fleeing Nation after huge misappropriation of funds” became a new buzzword in the media.
It was alleged by the same section of the media that of the owner of Rotomac Pens, Vikram Kothari has left for safer havens. The Rotomac Pen Owner is allegedly involved in huge misappropriation of funds, to the tunes of Rs. 4500 crores embezzled from at least five public sector banks. As per some reports, the CBI also raided his home in connection with a Rs. 800 crore bank fraud allegation, and interrogated him on the same.
The News soon spread like a wildfire that the owner of Rotomac Group, Vikram Kothari, is now a fugitive, and has fled from the country in order to avoid arrest.
Before delving deeper into this issue, let’s know who Vikram Kothari really is. He is the son of Businessman Mansukhlal Kothari, the owner of famous pan masala brand ‘Pan Parag’. When he was on deathbed, the businessman from Kanpur divided his business equally among his two sons, Vikram and Deepak. While Deepak took over Pan Parag and became the sole owner of it, Vikram Kothari took up the Rotomac Group, famous for pens and other stationery.
Cut to the present day. The mere mention of huge embezzlement and a missing corporate was enough for the rumor mongers in politics or in media, to try and drag the Modi government. The rumors of Rotomac Owner Vikram Kothari fleeing the country in the same way as Nirav Modi did, started doing rounds of the internet. Following are some of the best specimen of their desperate attempts for instant fame:-
Vikram Kothari, the promoter of Rotomac Pen, has allegedly gone abroad after swindling Rs 800 crore from various public sector banks, including Allahabad Bank.https://t.co/Xbm8EceRCz
— The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) February 18, 2018
#Rotomac Pen owner Vikram Kothari is latest to join #Modigang after duping thousands of crore of 5 banks. Yes, one more fraudster ran away.
The #Chaukidar is still sleeping.#ModiRobsIndia— Sanjay Nirupam (@sanjaynirupam) February 17, 2018
Rotomac Pen promoter flees abroad after 800cr default! Will @narendramodi accept @Swamy39 idea Of nationalising wealth stashes abroad to bring these guys back? So far wasteful demonetisation has only destroyed our economy and harassed ordinary Indians while defaults will soar!
— Sucheta Dalal (@suchetadalal) February 19, 2018
It was here that the accused, Rotomac Owner Mr. Kothari bounced back. Not only did he deny the baseless allegations, he also shot back at the rumor mongers. ‘I’m very much in Kanpur and haven’t fled abroad or thinking of fleeing’ Vikram Kothari is said to have reported. He also denied the charges leveled against him, To quote him, ‘First of all, don’t call it a scam. Also, I am not leaving the country and I am very much in Kanpur. Banks have declared my company nonperforming asset (NPA), but not a defaulter. The matter is still sub judice with National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT). I have taken loans and will repay it all soon…..”
‘…………….show me one cheque of mine that has bounced. This is slander, .I have faith in the judicial system….’
As of now, the CBI has taken Rotomac Owner Vikram Kothari into custody and is questioning him as well his wife and son over the issue of the Rs. 800 crore bank fraud allegations. In no way has he escaped the country and he is also willingly cooperating with the authorities over the issue. However, this incident hasn’t only further dented the image of an already untrustworthy Indian media, but also has imposed some serious questions on their sources of information. Thanks to their continuous lobbying, it won’t be easy to pull such rumor mongers to the court for their crimes. This doesn’t give any freedom to the Indian media however, to do any nonsense, and get away with it! The public is watching!
