Jammu, June 28: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Crime Branch, Jammu, has registered a criminal case in connection with alleged financial irregularities and fraudulent loan transactions in two branches of the Jammu and Kashmir Grameen Bank.
The case was registered under Sections 420 and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code following complaints forwarded through Crime Headquarters by the Director of the Anti-Corruption Bureau. The complaints were filed by the Chief of Audits, Inspection and Vigilance of J&K Grameen Bank and pertain to alleged fraud at the bank’s Kaluchak and Surankote branches.
According to the Crime Branch, an internal enquiry at the Kaluchak branch revealed that 58 loan accounts under 15 Joint Liability Groups (JLGs), besides two Cash Credit Limit accounts, were allegedly opened and operated without the knowledge or consent of the account holders, resulting in a suspected fraud of nearly Rs 42 lakh.
Investigators said around Rs 12 lakh was allegedly transferred to bank accounts reportedly maintained in the name of the deceased Senior Manager, Bhagwan Singh Saini, while the remaining loan amounts were allegedly withdrawn through ATM transactions.
The enquiry also found that a daily wager engaged at the branch had allegedly admitted to using Rs 2 lakh from one Joint Liability Group loan account for personal purposes. Recovery has reportedly been effected in two accounts.
In a separate complaint relating to the Surankote branch, allegations have been made against Branch Head Rohit Kumar and others over unauthorized transactions and debits amounting to Rs 7.37 lakh. The complaint also alleges fraudulent sanction and withdrawal of loans worth around Rs 19 lakh through five fake loan accounts allegedly opened without the knowledge or consent of the borrowers. According to the enquiry, these accounts were subsequently shown as settled or closed to reconcile the branch’s cash position.
The Crime Branch said a preliminary verification established a prima facie commission of cognizable offences, following which a formal case was registered against Rohit Kumar and other suspected persons for a detailed investigation.
Senior Superintendent of Police, Crime Branch (EOW) Jammu, Faisal Qureshi appealed to members of the public to report similar instances of financial fraud so that appropriate legal action can be taken against those involved. [KNT]
