New Delhi: The CBI on Tuesday said the fresh fraudulent letters of undertaking (LoUs) worth Rs 1,251 crore detected by Punjab National Bank, which have taken the scam from Rs 11,400 crore to Rs 12,636 crore, were issued to Mehul Choksi's Gitanjali group of companies.

"During the ongoing probe we have learnt about the fresh LoUs worth Rs 1,251 crore issued to the Gitanjali group of companies besides 293 worth (nearly) Rs 11,400 already being investigated. The total scam now stands at Rs 12,636 crore," agency spokesperson Abhishek Dayal said.

The latest announcement came nearly a fortnight after the bank had filed complaints estimating the loss from the alleged loan fraud by diamantaire Nirav Modi and his uncle Choksi. Both have fled the country.

The bank says firms linked to Choksi defrauded it of Rs 4,887 crore and those associated with Nirav Rs 280 crore in 2017-18.

Dayal refused to reveal how many LoUs made up the Rs 1,251 crore and also when these were issued. The agency, which has so far given the break-up for Rs 5,167 crore of the Rs 11,400-crore alleged fraud, has maintained that the bank started issuing the LoUs in 2011.

Congress communications chief Randeep Surjewala tweeted on Tuesday: "NiMo+Choksi scam just got bigger! PNB admits exposure of US $2 billion. Bank loot scam Rs 22,606 cr + Rs 5000 cr of Jan Dhan Loot Yojna last 10 days, scams worth Rs 31,691 cr exposed. When will 'Maun Modi' become 'Bol Modi'?"

Investigators on Tuesday quizzed former PNB managing director Usha Ananthasubramanian. "Ananthasubramanian was summoned to Mumbai and was questioned today in connection with the case," Dayal said.

The CBI had on Saturday questioned the current managing director and chief executive officer Sunil Mehta, who had replaced Ananthasubramanian as MD and CEO in May 2017.

Ananthasubramanian is now the MD and CEO of Allahabad Bank.

ICICI Bank probe

The CBI on Tuesday also questioned ICICI Bank executive director N.S. Kannan in connection with a probe into a separate loan of Rs 5,208 crore given to the Gitanjali group by a consortium of 30 banks led by ICICI Bank in 2016.

During raids and searches on the Gitanjali group owned by Choksi, documents related to a loan of Rs 5,208 crore was found. Kannan was examined to seek clarification on this," CBI spokesperson Dayal said.