Banks are a safe place to keep money. People put their life savings in banks. But if a case of corruption comes up in that bank, then whom will people trust? A shocking incident has come to light from Uttar Pradesh. Fake notes worth Rs 7.40 crore were seized in an audit conducted at the Sophia Market Currency Test of Punjab National Bank in UP Saharanpur. Earlier, it was found that there was a shortfall of Rs 4.36 lakh in the amount sent from the bank to Arabia between August 10-11. The police have registered an FIR and initiated further legal action on the complaint of senior officers formed by the investigation team and the bank management. After the complaint of the nodal officer, the police are investigating by conducting a trial in the entire bank and checking the CCTV footage.
How the case came to light- The case started with the currency sent to RBI being matched. According to PNP General Manager Nisha Singh, there was a shortfall of Rs 4.36 lakh in the amount sent to RBI between August 10-11. After this, an investigation team was formed at the bank level. During the investigation, a major revelation was made that there were fake notes worth about Rs 7.40 crore in the treasury.
Police and bank action – Based on the complaint of Nodal Officer Arun Kumar Choubey, a case has been registered against Divisional Officer Senior Manager Ravi Kumar, Currency Test Manager Sushil Sharma and Currency Test Manager Amit Kumar in Jagdhir, Haryana. Similarly, action has been taken against custodian Vishal Kumar in the case of missing cash. The bank has immediately suspended four people involved in the case.
CCTV and record checking underway – SSP Abhinandan said that a case has been registered on the basis of a complaint by a senior officer of the bank. The police and the bank are now checking the process of packing, counting and reconciling the money reaching the treasury from various branches. Along with this, the CCTV footage is also being examined extensively.
Bank Management Response – According to the bank’s Chief Manager Nisha Singh, the fake notes were kept in the treasury. They were not distributed to any branch. The bank management said that the complete situation will be clear only after the detailed investigation report comes. Now the bank has taken immediate steps as per its guidelines and handed over the case to the police.
