Tue Feb 25 18:19:37 UTC 2025: ## Bollywood Actress Preity Zinta Demands Retraction After Loan Write-Off Allegations
**Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala –** The Kerala unit of the Indian National Congress (INC) has demanded proof from Bollywood actress Preity Zinta to substantiate her claims that she repaid an ₹18 crore loan from the dissolved New India Co-operative Bank. The party’s request follows a public exchange on X (formerly Twitter) sparked by a Congress Kerala post alleging Zinta’s loan was written off as part of larger financial irregularities.
The Congress initially linked the alleged write-off to reports of corruption at the bank, whose board was dissolved by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on February 15th. The party expressed solidarity with depositors who lost their savings and urged Zinta to use her platform to advocate for them.
Zinta vehemently denied the allegations, labeling the Congress’s post as “vile gossip and clickbait,” and asserting that she had fully repaid the loan a decade ago. She further accused the Congress of managing its account like “other celebs who have handed theirs over to the notorious IT cell.” The Congress subsequently apologized for any mistakes made, while also reiterating its demand for proof of loan repayment.
The controversy escalated with Zinta publicly criticizing financial journalist Sucheta Dalal, accusing her of spreading misinformation and demanding accountability for publishing unverified reports. Zinta vowed to name journalists who publish inaccurate stories without proper investigation, stating that she is “done being a bigger person.”
The incident highlights the growing scrutiny surrounding the New India Co-operative Bank’s collapse and the impact of social media in shaping public narratives around such events. The Congress continues to demand transparency regarding the loan write-off and maintain its focus on supporting affected depositors.
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