India reports Rs 1.42 lakh crore bank frauds, recovers Rs 6,389 crore

The Ministry of Finance disclosed that bank frauds involving commercial banks and all‑India financial institutions totalled about Rs 1.42 lakh crore over the past five fiscal years. Recoveries from these fraud accounts amounted to only Rs 6,389 crore, according to data supplied by the Reserve Bank of India.

Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary said the recovery process is ongoing. Public sector banks have filed 15,577 suits against wilful defaulters, initiated SARFAESI action in 10,894 cases and lodged 7,173 FIRs. These banks have also recovered roughly Rs 52,360 crore from wilful defaulters as of 31 March 2026.