RBI's fine on Kotak Mahindra Bank: Why this amount of Rs 2 cr was slapped

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed a monetary penalty of Rs 20 million on Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited (the bank) for non-compliance with the directions issued to the bank by RBI in the exercise of its powers under the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (the Act) to furnish information specified therein. This penalty has been imposed taking into account the default committed by the bank in complying with the aforesaid directions issued by RBI.

In a press release issued, Yogesh Dayal, Chief General Manager at RBI says, "This action is based on the deficiencies in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the bank."

The bank was directed by RBI to furnish information about details of the shareholding held by its promoters and to submit details of the proposed course of action/plans/strategy of the bank for complying with the permitted timeline for dilution of promoter shareholding. Subsequently, the bank was directed to convey its commitment to achieving the dilution as per the timelines stipulated. However, the bank failed to comply with the said directions and a Notice (SCN) was issued to the bank advising it to show cause as to why penalty should not be imposed for non-compliance with the said directions. After considering the reply received from the bank, submissions made by the bank during the personal hearing and the documents submitted by it, RBI came to the conclusion that the bank had failed to comply with the directions issued by RBI and decided to impose a monetary penalty on the bank.